A review by bookishpriest
Fungal: Foraging in the Urban Forest by Ariel Gordon

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Ariel Gordon's new collection of essays, Fungal: Foraging in the Urban Forest is a wonderful read that touches on life during the pandemic, parenthood, immigrant experience, work, spirituality, natural history, and friendship. And does it all through the lens of mushroom foraging.

The writing is beautiful, as one would hope from a poet, and has a focus that makes it evident that mushroom foraging is a true passion of Gordon's. Throughout the book I was delighted to follow the author's thoughts as she wove a complex mycelial network of relationships between her experiences as a mushroom hunter, parent, friend, worker, and human being. Her appreciation of beauty in the natural world - mushrooms that look like the sun descended to earth - and the earthy aches of pursuing fungi - sore muscles working in a mushroom factory - enhance the reading experience so. The final chapter draws the multilayered connections into sharper focus and offers plenty of food for thought about how our ecosystems and relationships are much more deeply connected than they might first seem.

This is, perhaps, what most makes Fungal such a joy to read. Gordon's ability to draw the reader's attention to the beautiful truths that hide in plain sight, right before us. Growing up in rural Manitoba, how many times did I pass mushrooms growing on stumps, logs, or springing from the ground and not notice a single remarkable thing about them? And I was generally quite appreciative of the curiosities of my environment! Here is Fungal, making me wonder what else I am missing as I move through the world.

Fungal: Foraging in the Urban Forest is worth your while to read, whether you are a mushroom enthusiast, just curious about these fascinating fungi, or want something completely different, this book will reward your attention. Just like the mushrooms growing on that boulevard stump outside your house.