A review by jayisreading
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.25

This was an interesting collection of short essays in which John Green reviews all sorts of things on a five-star scale. When I say “all sorts of things,” I really mean all sorts of things related to humans and their experiences in some capacity, but especially to Green himself. I’m inclined to say there was almost a memoir-like quality to this book, considering how much self-reflection is involved.

I didn’t hate this collection, but I didn’t love it either. I realize Green really wanted to attend to the importance of care and empathy, as well as to instill a sense of wonder for the world, but I think after ten or so essays, I got tired of the formulaic writing: random object, facts, musings, a literary quote or two, more facts and musings, star rating. Rinse and repeat.

One thing I did enjoy was how he went about addressing life during a pandemic. I thought Green approached this with a lot of care and thoughtfulness that he wove in throughout this book. If anything, I’d say that’s what will really touch a lot of people is this validation of struggling during such a time and acknowledging that. 
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