Braiding Sweetgrass review

Nikita Julien

Professor Santos

English 102_37

13 February 2018

Braiding sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a nature writing, non-fiction book. In the book Kimmerer teaches lesson on the importance of appreciating nature and the reciprocity relationship between humans and nature. “local cultures unable to develop reciprocal relationships with their land bases are doomed to continue the destruction, even if at a smaller scale”(Book review-Derrick).We are taught this through the story telling of her own experiences as a scientist, professor and Potawatomi women. She sheds light on our everyday life in a different viewpoint that causes the readers to think and evaluate. Which “challenges the reader to consider how an individual, or a culture, can become indigenous to place”(Book review-Derrick)

The strengths of the book is the writing structure and the presentation of the information. Kimmerer provides readers the ability to see a very common world in uncommon ways. I hold to this opinion because the book was understandable, Even if something was a little confusing it was explained as you continue to read. Nothing was left unsaid or to be inferred. Even when Kimmerer wore her scientific hat the way she writes is for her readers to understand not to display her scientific knowledge. She writes in a arranged way. For example in the chapter “Windigo footprints” The chapter begins with an imagery scene then to describe what the windigo is, it background and why the story was told. Then Kimmerer talks about scientific of the windigo and how it relates to our present day world , ending with her message. The information is presented in a way that is easy to follow and builds the readers knowledge.  

Weaknesses? To me none. Coming from someone who hates to read and never engages with books, this book was different for me. I enjoyed reading it and understood every message that was being presented. It wasn't the average big book, long dragged  chapters , inferring type reading. I would say Kimmerer is a very fine writer.

I would recommend this book because you gain so much useful knowledge weather being a nature person or not. It teaches life lessons and gives you a different viewpoints on multiple aspects from nature, langues to wisdom. It makes you think and evaluate yourself and the society in which you live in. The best audience I would say for this book would be all student taking a english course starting in middle school to college. Why starting at middle school? The younger students are exposed to this importation the more chance there is to making a change. I think this book is a great eduater.

Work cite.

Derrick. “Book Review: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.” Book Review: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer | Deep Green Resistance Blog, 4 Nov. 2016, deepgreenresistance.blogspot.com/2016/11/braiding-sweetgrass-robin-wall-kimmerer.html.

Kimmerer, Robin Wall. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. Milkweed Editions, 2013.