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erinkatherin's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed review. The writing is non-linear and personal and political and poetic. Generally, I like that: but I couldn’t steadily connect to this. I’d read a few chapters and really like it, then find a stretch of pages either too much or too little. Granted: it’s internally consistent, and it’s decidedly intentional of its winding way, so I wouldn’t say it should be anything other than what it is.
okbibliomama's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
5.0
This is a beautiful book that I will return to again and again.
sha66areads's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
1.5
This wasn't what I imagined it would be. The lyricism was lost on me and the constant weaving in and out and between her life and gardening and her family never connected for me.
So technically I have no idea what even happened to her family or in this book unfortunately...
So technically I have no idea what even happened to her family or in this book unfortunately...
mswrambel's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Scribner for this eARC. This text will be published on August 22, 2023.
Wow. What a text. I was extremely surprised by the lyricality of this memoir. While on its face it is about Kyo Maclear's attempts to decipher the results of a DNA test, it is much more about the nature of memory and forgetting. She seamlessly weaves her knowledge of gardens and gardening with memories of her parents. It is evocative at times of both Mary Oliver, William Wordsworth, and Louise Gluck. Her journey through the seasons echoes the journey Maclear takes to attempt to understand herself.
One of the things that Maclear grapples with is her ability to tell a story, whether that story is "true" or a "memory". Such is the nature of memoirs. She even posits, in the voice of her mother, that "one day I will have a daughter and I will give her an unfinished story and it will be up to her to decide if it is a void or a gift." For readers of this memoir, it is certain that this piece is a gift.
Wow. What a text. I was extremely surprised by the lyricality of this memoir. While on its face it is about Kyo Maclear's attempts to decipher the results of a DNA test, it is much more about the nature of memory and forgetting. She seamlessly weaves her knowledge of gardens and gardening with memories of her parents. It is evocative at times of both Mary Oliver, William Wordsworth, and Louise Gluck. Her journey through the seasons echoes the journey Maclear takes to attempt to understand herself.
One of the things that Maclear grapples with is her ability to tell a story, whether that story is "true" or a "memory". Such is the nature of memoirs. She even posits, in the voice of her mother, that "one day I will have a daughter and I will give her an unfinished story and it will be up to her to decide if it is a void or a gift." For readers of this memoir, it is certain that this piece is a gift.
vbones's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like it so bad but it seemed a little disjointed. I found it hard to connect with the main character as we mainly hear about their family and not themself specifically.
I love plants so that's why It sold me on buying it but I didn't find it talked ab it enough. Maybe ill pick it back up again to finish it but until then Im just not that interested.
I love plants so that's why It sold me on buying it but I didn't find it talked ab it enough. Maybe ill pick it back up again to finish it but until then Im just not that interested.
twinklybugs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.5
a_schwa's review against another edition
5.0
Spending time with Kyo’s writing makes me more present and thoughtful in my life. Her voice is so generous.