A review by eleanor_r
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World by Sasha Sagan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I enjoyed this exploration of the importance of rituals to mark time and major life transitions for humans. The memoir elements, recounting the author's upbringing by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan with scientific curiosity and without religious superstition, were especially engaging. As Gen X child of scientists, I grew up on Carl Sagan's Cosmos!
But as the author moves away from her childhood with her famous parents and more into her own adult life, it grew less interesting and more like breezy women's lifestyle magazine pieces (and indeed several of the chapters were originally written for periodicals). I was looking for more insight on forging non-religious rituals and traditions for myself and my family, and "relatable" stories about relationships and dinner parties with girlfriends weren't what I was looking for.
But as the author moves away from her childhood with her famous parents and more into her own adult life, it grew less interesting and more like breezy women's lifestyle magazine pieces (and indeed several of the chapters were originally written for periodicals). I was looking for more insight on forging non-religious rituals and traditions for myself and my family, and "relatable" stories about relationships and dinner parties with girlfriends weren't what I was looking for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent