There were three or four poems I enjoyed. "Constellations" was the one that prompted me to read the book but there are so many about writing poetry whThere were three or four poems I enjoyed. "Constellations" was the one that prompted me to read the book but there are so many about writing poetry which I generally don't like. I think this book is a Poet Laureate, phoning it in....more
This is really more like 2.5 stars, because while it was thought-provoking at times, it was also incredibly annoying. Major Annoyance #1 is that the "This is really more like 2.5 stars, because while it was thought-provoking at times, it was also incredibly annoying. Major Annoyance #1 is that the "ambivalent" author tells us she has been obsessing about having a baby for 10-15 years. I don't think that word means what you think it means...
Major Annoyance #2 is that the blurbs promised an exploration of the transformation from daughter to mother, and yet Walker and her mother aren't speaking for most of the book and by the end have written each other off. That seems a more dramatic transition than most and left little to explore.
Major Annoyance #3 is that the birth of her son gives Walker the predictable license to say that until a woman has a baby, she isn't fully living or fully loving. Go feminism.
In between the annoyances was my usual fascination with pregnancy and childbirth, things I will, without ambivalence, never experience. ...more
Surprisingly touching, and filled with enough good recipes that I'll need my own copy.Surprisingly touching, and filled with enough good recipes that I'll need my own copy....more
Impeccably researched and exceedingly balanced. This book has a rare combination of head and heart and asks the difficult questions about the lives weImpeccably researched and exceedingly balanced. This book has a rare combination of head and heart and asks the difficult questions about the lives we share with cats and dogs and our duties to them. Although it contains stories of cruelty and suffering the prevailing message is that we are on the right path. The answers are complicated but with writers like Grimm as our signposts even the jaded can be newly inspired to make small changes for animal welfare and live within their values. The personalities highlighted, whatever their stance, were portrayed evenly in their passion. Truly one of my top books of 2014....more
What a beautiful and important little book about our ethical duties to our dogs and the limitless potential of joy that exists in those relationships.What a beautiful and important little book about our ethical duties to our dogs and the limitless potential of joy that exists in those relationships. I recommend this to everyone who has ever asked if there is a better way to communicate....more
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