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 Loved it! Jul 03, 2009
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is the story of author Barbara Kingsolver and her family and their quest to eat locally and in season for one year.
She packed up with her husband and two daughters and moved from Arizona to their farm in VA where they'd been spending their summer for many years. This time they were planning on staying and spending a year eating what they could find locally and grow for themselves.
The book reminded me of how much we take for granted with our mass produced food. Winter tomatoes are not a local food - and you can tell by the taste! Having to wait for the fruits and vegetables of summer was both an adventure and a challenge to the author and her family, and it's one she shares with us. The book is full of funny and touching stories of their trials along the way. Daughter Lily's plans, and how they changed, about going into the egg business, the first tomatoes and cherries of the season, the abundance of tomatoes and what to do with them.
There are also mouthwatering recipes throughout the book, many of which have already been added to my own. This book is chock full of information about farming, food and cooking too.
I loved this quote, as it really does seem to relate to what's going on with our own food supply these days, "When centralization collapses on itself, as it inevitably does, back we go to the family farm. The Roman Empire grew fat on the fruits of huge, corporate, slave-driven agriculture operations, tot eh near exclusion of any small farms by the end of the era. But when Rome crashed and burned, its urbanized citizenry scurried out to every nook and cranny of Italy's mountains and valleys, returning once again to the work of feeding themselves and their families"
I first listened to this on audio-book, read by the authors and I really enjoyed their reading. As wonderful a writer as Barbara is, she is that great of a reader too. As is her husband Steven and daughter Camille.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a terrific book for anyone interested in real food, cooking, gardening and stories of home. A wonderful book, highly recommended in any format.
Surprising Jun 25, 2009
I have had this on my shelf for about a year and kept putting off reading it. Even though it is a true story it reads like a novel. I like the way Kingsolver writes. What I learned from it is that there are real reasons to try to buy local and organic products. I also learned why some people object to Genetically Altered Produce. I would recommend this for anyone who wants to know how they can reduce their carbon footprint and leave the world better for our children and grandchildren.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Really bad prose Jun 23, 2009
I loved all of Kingsolver's novels-- I considered her one of my favorite authors. But in this book I would describe her voice as alternately obsequious, shrill, corny, sappy, and yuk-yuk (you know that cartoon character who laughs that way). This was an extremely painful book to read. Her daughter's writing is pretty cloying too-- obviously she thinks very highly of herself for no other reason than the way she eats. The husband's writing wasn't bad, but he's no Michael Pollan. Oh God help me if I ever had to sit down to eat with these people.
Thank You... Jun 22, 2009
Thank you for sharing this experience with us, Ms. Kingsolver. As one of my favorite authors I appreciate the invitation you've extended to learn of your personal experiences. I was delighted to meet your daughter Camille, and your husband, Steven. Both add intelligence, wit and insight into the fascinating subject you've detailed with your personal experience. I didn't want this book to end.
This is a true account using personal anecdote and experience to explore ideas about food production, sustainable living and the relationship between industry and agriculture. There is gardening advice but it's not gardening book. This isn't a field guide or a how-to book unless it's how to expect the unexpected.
I adored the book and I remain an earnest fan of Barbara Kingsolver and her work.
Essential information Jun 20, 2009
I have been a fan of Kingsolver's non-fiction works over the years, since
1990.
This autobiographical work was written to alert all of us that we can take
matters into our own hands and make a BIG difference in the world by just
eating locally. Whether we have time or earth to garden ourselves, we can
all support our farmers and at the same time take care of ourselves, our
families, and our beloved earth just by buying locally produced food. It's
that simple. And that profound.
I have been inspired to take the extra time and go to my local mercado
organico (as I live in Mexico).
It's so worth the effort, as she eloquently describes!
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