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In praise of those who keep traditions from extinction
What a relief it was to discover that I am not the only person who latches on to arcane or offbeat things to do as part of my travels! Author Eliot Stein is a travel journalist who wrote a column for the BBC called Custom Made which focused on finding and interviewing people around the globe who engage in an art or occupation that is firmly based in tradition but who may be the last people who will ever do it. As a person who when traveling to Belgium was determined to not only sample (lots and lots) of chocolate but also to seek out a place to buy handmade lace in Bruges, for example, I could not wait to read about the people interviewed by Mr. Stein as well as learn about what it was they did...and why. The book did not disappoint! From near-alchemist makers of a particular type of mirror in India to the last women in Sardinia who craft an amazingly intricate pasta, a man who in Peru who oversees the yearly crafting of the only remaining bridge (woven from plants!) that dates back to the Incas and the last night watchman in a small Swedish village, imbedded in each person's story is how their craft or occupation came to be, how its existence is woven into the history of their people, and how many such pursuits may be on the verge of extinction as modern civilization and technology encroach upon traditional life. Part travelogue, part sociological study, part biography, and part "things that make you go hmm", each story enthralled me and tempted me to add a few new trips to my wishlist. Every now and again the author gets a little deeper into the weeds than I felt I wanted to go, but not enough to stop me going on to finish each of the chapters. If you are someone who has enjoyed books (and in one case podcasts) by Mark Kurlansky, Aaron Mahnke and Frances Mayes, then you really must pick up a copy of Custodians of Wonder. If those authors don't strike a cord with you but you are prone to be fascinated by life's minutiae, again I highly recommend that you give this book a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me early access to a copy of this engaging read in exchange for my honest review.
What a relief it was to discover that I am not the only person who latches on to arcane or offbeat things to do as part of my travels! Author Eliot Stein is a travel journalist who wrote a column for the BBC called Custom Made which focused on finding and interviewing people around the globe who engage in an art or occupation that is firmly based in tradition but who may be the last people who will ever do it. As a person who when traveling to Belgium was determined to not only sample (lots and lots) of chocolate but also to seek out a place to buy handmade lace in Bruges, for example, I could not wait to read about the people interviewed by Mr. Stein as well as learn about what it was they did...and why. The book did not disappoint! From near-alchemist makers of a particular type of mirror in India to the last women in Sardinia who craft an amazingly intricate pasta, a man who in Peru who oversees the yearly crafting of the only remaining bridge (woven from plants!) that dates back to the Incas and the last night watchman in a small Swedish village, imbedded in each person's story is how their craft or occupation came to be, how its existence is woven into the history of their people, and how many such pursuits may be on the verge of extinction as modern civilization and technology encroach upon traditional life. Part travelogue, part sociological study, part biography, and part "things that make you go hmm", each story enthralled me and tempted me to add a few new trips to my wishlist. Every now and again the author gets a little deeper into the weeds than I felt I wanted to go, but not enough to stop me going on to finish each of the chapters. If you are someone who has enjoyed books (and in one case podcasts) by Mark Kurlansky, Aaron Mahnke and Frances Mayes, then you really must pick up a copy of Custodians of Wonder. If those authors don't strike a cord with you but you are prone to be fascinated by life's minutiae, again I highly recommend that you give this book a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me early access to a copy of this engaging read in exchange for my honest review.