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Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers by Amy Stewart
morningtide's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.75
This book was a deep dive into something I had never thought about and don't think I really would have thought about thinking about. It was actually more immersive than I expected it to be as a nonfiction book. After reading a few books about species and natural selection, etc, it was interesting to read about plants that have basically been 100% shaped by the involvement of people. Pretty much all the history and information in here was new and interesting to me, and I won't look at cut flowers the same as I used to.
Stewart did a great job of tying the histories together in a way that made the industry and it's growth feel very understandable. I can't say I wasn't gonna read a book about earthworms otherwise (I'm pretty sure I've actually seen mentions of The Earth Moved and felt intrigued) but this author made me want to read more of her work.
Stewart did a great job of tying the histories together in a way that made the industry and it's growth feel very understandable. I can't say I wasn't gonna read a book about earthworms otherwise (I'm pretty sure I've actually seen mentions of The Earth Moved and felt intrigued) but this author made me want to read more of her work.
dandelionfluff's review
4.0
Stewart has a lovely way of imparting information in a narrative fashion, making this feel very close and conversational rather than a lecture on the modern state of the industry. I especially loved how she directs us to other texts, to real-life farms and operations, and gives us very human insights into a multi-billion dollar industry.
cristinagray's review
4.0
What a great book! I didn't think our love for flower would have created such a complex industry. The book was written in such a way that it was impossible to get bored.
melanie_reads's review
4.0
Solid 3.75 stars
A surprisingly riveting read about the journey cut flowers take before finding their place among your bouquet. Latin American hoop houses, Dutch auction houses, international travel, this story has it all.
To be honest, this book makes me want to chuck a bunch of seeds in my yard and never buy a mass produced flower again. Exploited female labor. Worker exposure to pesticides. Genetically modified flowers that have never seen the sun or tasted the sweetness of a bee. Late stage capitalism is even chasing your blooms. UGH.
Horticulturalists and flower aficionados might not be impressed, but for someone with only a passing interest in the subject, it’s absolutely fascinating. Now, where are my bulbs?
A surprisingly riveting read about the journey cut flowers take before finding their place among your bouquet. Latin American hoop houses, Dutch auction houses, international travel, this story has it all.
To be honest, this book makes me want to chuck a bunch of seeds in my yard and never buy a mass produced flower again. Exploited female labor. Worker exposure to pesticides. Genetically modified flowers that have never seen the sun or tasted the sweetness of a bee. Late stage capitalism is even chasing your blooms. UGH.
Horticulturalists and flower aficionados might not be impressed, but for someone with only a passing interest in the subject, it’s absolutely fascinating. Now, where are my bulbs?
queerbillydeluxe's review
4.0
Super interesting, but I was disappointed she didn't mention Little Shop of Horrors at all lol
lizzicrystal's review
3.0
A fascinating look into the behind-the-scenes of flower production. Quite interesting, especially as I've always thought it would be lovely to work in a flower shop.
kale_kale's review
4.0
I had to read this book for Flower Power aka Pls 6. It does a good job of explaining how the flower industry operates.