starryfruits's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Non fiction is not my style but the book is genuinely interesting, lots of information of mushrooms amd the process of identifying and picking them. The authors extremely knowledgable and intellegent. Shes well spoken in both her journey of mushrooms but as well as in grief and loss. I tear up everytime certain passages, and even though the book is sometimes TOO informative, akin to a textbook. I still enjoyed it thouroughly.
flawedrain's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
birdgenders's review against another edition
4.0
The Way Through the Woods is a memoir about the author's journey through grief after losing her husband and, simultaneously, a unique exploration of mycology (the study of mushrooms). It's difficult to imagine how these subjects intersect, but this book is equal parts heartfelt and interesting.
I knew very little about mushrooms before (I don't even particularly like to eat them), but my interest has officially been piqued, and I've now spent a couple of hours frantically googling every mushroom Long mentions so I can better understand them (and look at pictures; mushrooms are so cool). But I was as compelled by the mycology as I was by Long's description of her grieving process; I especially appreciated the mention of relatively small pieces of her life that remind her of her late husband, such as books on the bookshelf or a Spotify playlist. I can't even imagine how challenging the first years of her life as a widow must have been, but she discusses them here with great tenderness and care.
Whether you're a reader of memoirs, a fan of mycology, or—as I was before reading this—neither, I highly recommend this book!
I knew very little about mushrooms before (I don't even particularly like to eat them), but my interest has officially been piqued, and I've now spent a couple of hours frantically googling every mushroom Long mentions so I can better understand them (and look at pictures; mushrooms are so cool). But I was as compelled by the mycology as I was by Long's description of her grieving process; I especially appreciated the mention of relatively small pieces of her life that remind her of her late husband, such as books on the bookshelf or a Spotify playlist. I can't even imagine how challenging the first years of her life as a widow must have been, but she discusses them here with great tenderness and care.
Whether you're a reader of memoirs, a fan of mycology, or—as I was before reading this—neither, I highly recommend this book!
orianymoom's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
4.0
a book about mostly about mushrooming with reflections on grief and bereavement sprinkled throughout - i really enjoyed all the mushroom facts and i definitely gained a new appreciation for them - the parts about Long's dead husband and her journey through grief were also written beautifully