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A review by alannajane
The Complete Language of Herbs: A Definitive and Illustrated History by S. Theresa Dietz
2.0
Very incomplete ARC - rating subjective.
I find it very difficult to review and rate this book, given that the advanced copy sent out to reviewers by the publisher is (just weeks before the publishing date), incredibly incomplete. Much (maybe 1/4) of the text looks like it is being redacted (red lines throughout whole sections), and images and symbols are missing from the vast majority of the entries. It is really hard to know what this book will look like in its final, published form.
After a very brief (two page) introduction stating that the author has very little practical knowledge or experience with herbs other than culinary, the "encyclopedia" portion begins. The majority of the book contains incredibly short, alphabetized entries for hundreds of different herbs - which are obviously primarily academic given the scant experience of the author herself. Each entry contains the scientific name, symbols denoting medicinal/culinary/toxicity use, symbolic meaning of the plant, any associated colour meaning of the plant, component meanings (leaves, stalk, flowers, root, etc), possible powers pertaining to witchcraft, and the folklore associated with the herb in question.
Each entry brings an interesting outlook of each herb cited, and I think that a lot of research has gone into compiling this information. But, frankly, this is not enough. As is, each entry is nothing but a tiny starting point from which to do one's own research and experimentation. There seems to be zero relationship between the author and the compiled information - to the detriment of the entire volume.
Basically, it's cute.
This compilation of "facts" doesn't sing to me. It is vast but not deep. Display-worthy is what the synopsis calls this series. It is seemingly a great resource for those that want to put "witch" in their social media bios. I personally think that both much more information and a personal relationship with the herb in question is required for powerful healing and magicks.
The Goodreads description says that there are two indexes, but as these were not included in the advanced copy either, I cannot review how useful they are.
Much gratitude to the publisher, Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press, and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I find it very difficult to review and rate this book, given that the advanced copy sent out to reviewers by the publisher is (just weeks before the publishing date), incredibly incomplete. Much (maybe 1/4) of the text looks like it is being redacted (red lines throughout whole sections), and images and symbols are missing from the vast majority of the entries. It is really hard to know what this book will look like in its final, published form.
After a very brief (two page) introduction stating that the author has very little practical knowledge or experience with herbs other than culinary, the "encyclopedia" portion begins. The majority of the book contains incredibly short, alphabetized entries for hundreds of different herbs - which are obviously primarily academic given the scant experience of the author herself. Each entry contains the scientific name, symbols denoting medicinal/culinary/toxicity use, symbolic meaning of the plant, any associated colour meaning of the plant, component meanings (leaves, stalk, flowers, root, etc), possible powers pertaining to witchcraft, and the folklore associated with the herb in question.
Each entry brings an interesting outlook of each herb cited, and I think that a lot of research has gone into compiling this information. But, frankly, this is not enough. As is, each entry is nothing but a tiny starting point from which to do one's own research and experimentation. There seems to be zero relationship between the author and the compiled information - to the detriment of the entire volume.
Basically, it's cute.
This compilation of "facts" doesn't sing to me. It is vast but not deep. Display-worthy is what the synopsis calls this series. It is seemingly a great resource for those that want to put "witch" in their social media bios. I personally think that both much more information and a personal relationship with the herb in question is required for powerful healing and magicks.
The Goodreads description says that there are two indexes, but as these were not included in the advanced copy either, I cannot review how useful they are.
Much gratitude to the publisher, Quarto Publishing Group – Wellfleet Press, and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.