“This is the story of a year in which we made every attempt to feed ourselves animals and vegetables whose provenance we really knew . . . and of how our family was changed by our first year of deliberately eating food produced from the same place where we worked, went to school, loved our neighbors, drank the water, and breathed the air."- From the book jacket
This book was both eye opening and redundant all at the same time. Going through the year with the Hopp/Kingsolver family you learn that the American eating habits are not what they used to be and may be not were they should be.
Ok- So here it is….
Pros:
Abundance of information that is timely and relevant
e.g. Steven’s sections such as Really We’re Not Mad pg. 230 that discuss facts about Mad Cow disease.
Fun seasonal recipes
Fun seasonal recipes
e.g. Camille’s Canning Season pg. 213 which have anecdotes and recipes
Touching stories about farms and farmers from around the country
Touching stories about farms and farmers from around the country
e.g. The trip to David and Elsie’s farm pg. 167 when they take a ride out in the fields at night and spend quality time with a “real “farming family. If you can’t make it through the whole book I suggest you read this section before turning it in. It was really beautiful.
Cons
Abundance of information: there was just too much to actually take in everything that was being done, said, and implied.
Fun seasonal recipes: were really for the Northern half of the country but the south is pretty much left out completely.
Repetitive: I cannot even count the amount of times it was reinforced that they were not rich, judgmental, or in any way less ordinary than most Americans. **May be they are just like us but I am still waiting to find someone like them.
All in all I did enjoy the book and I learned ways to make changes I thought were important. I would recommend it to likeminded people who have a love for the environment, local/American made items, and fair treatment of animals and humans. I know that sounds like everyone you know, but trust me it’s not.
Cons
Abundance of information: there was just too much to actually take in everything that was being done, said, and implied.
Fun seasonal recipes: were really for the Northern half of the country but the south is pretty much left out completely.
Repetitive: I cannot even count the amount of times it was reinforced that they were not rich, judgmental, or in any way less ordinary than most Americans. **May be they are just like us but I am still waiting to find someone like them.
All in all I did enjoy the book and I learned ways to make changes I thought were important. I would recommend it to likeminded people who have a love for the environment, local/American made items, and fair treatment of animals and humans. I know that sounds like everyone you know, but trust me it’s not.
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