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outcolder's review
4.0
The essays do seem to add up to something about learning to accept that there are things you don't or can't know. There were quite a few points in this book that stuck with me, and even bits I've already quoted at people or read aloud.
Much of the first half of the book felt like a psychedelic experience. The invention of distance in medieval paintings gives way to conquistadors and cowboys losing themselves or going native and it's all threaded together with Solnit's own wanderlust. Things start to feel more solid as we get into some punk rock filmmaking and Yves Klein but then get trippier again as she muses about darkness, blank spots on maps, and monster-parents. A short book that covers a lot of ground without mapping any of it.
If you'll allow me to nerd out on some library stuff, though... I was surprised to see that the Library of Congress has filed it under BF575.D35 Psychology—Affection. Feeling. Emotion—Emotion—Special forms of emotion, etc., A-Z—Deprivation (General). I didn't really think it was about that at all. Then, the subject headings are:
Loss (Psychology)
Uncertainty.
Arts--Philosophy.
Culture.
Travel--Philosophy.
That sounds about right. Although there should be something in there about the color blue. Half of the book, more or less, is about the color blue.
Much of the first half of the book felt like a psychedelic experience. The invention of distance in medieval paintings gives way to conquistadors and cowboys losing themselves or going native and it's all threaded together with Solnit's own wanderlust. Things start to feel more solid as we get into some punk rock filmmaking and Yves Klein but then get trippier again as she muses about darkness, blank spots on maps, and monster-parents. A short book that covers a lot of ground without mapping any of it.
If you'll allow me to nerd out on some library stuff, though... I was surprised to see that the Library of Congress has filed it under BF575.D35 Psychology—Affection. Feeling. Emotion—Emotion—Special forms of emotion, etc., A-Z—Deprivation (General). I didn't really think it was about that at all. Then, the subject headings are:
Loss (Psychology)
Uncertainty.
Arts--Philosophy.
Culture.
Travel--Philosophy.
That sounds about right. Although there should be something in there about the color blue. Half of the book, more or less, is about the color blue.
lexythebookworm_'s review against another edition
3.0
3⭐️
I came across this book quite randomly. I think it was on sale and I decided to go for it since it’s been some time now since I’ve been feeling a bit lost.
I didn’t expect anything from it, to be honest, but I enjoyed most of the ride. And found a lot of interesting things, thoughts and experiences the author describes (I used quite a considerable amount of post-its).
I did, however, found it a bit hard to follow at times (or not too light to read). But I must say, I didn’t know the author is a historian, prior to reading it, so that might have been on me.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed it and read it in just two or three sittings.
Some extra words
I came across this book quite randomly. I think it was on sale and I decided to go for it since it’s been some time now since I’ve been feeling a bit lost.
I didn’t expect anything from it, to be honest, but I enjoyed most of the ride. And found a lot of interesting things, thoughts and experiences the author describes (I used quite a considerable amount of post-its).
I did, however, found it a bit hard to follow at times (or not too light to read). But I must say, I didn’t know the author is a historian, prior to reading it, so that might have been on me.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed it and read it in just two or three sittings.
Some extra words
steppingthroughpages's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled with this book , I thought it would be more about Rebecca's journey of self discovery but instead it was a hard pretentious read and not for me. I enjoyed the odd chapter here and there and a few of the anecdotes but not enough of the book to rate it any higher than 2 stars.