"The Anthropocene Reviewed" by John Green
A book about hope and the lies we tell ourselves as a species.
Starting off a newsletter about book reviews by reviewing a book about reviews? Pretty meta, I know.
However, as mentioned in the first post, these are not necessarily reviews and I will actively avoid rating books.
Having said that, this book was an utter delight to read and experience in the contemporary times. As much as I would love to use the phrase post-pandemic, the pedant in me knows that the world will never truly be post-pandemic for a while now. The Anthropocene, or the geological age as defined by the human-centred planet, is testament to such a change.
It cannot be denied that John Green has a reputation to be a certain kind of a writer who does not necessarily appeal to everyone. As such, this book is one that deviated significantly from the rest of his oeuvre. As a non-fiction work, it waxes poetic about the biggest fiction humanity recites to itself- that it matters.
Congeries
Given this, I am reminded of another book, one that my professors would surely roll their eyes at - Posthumanism by Pramod K Nayar. Its academic discourse on a critical outlook at life centres on one idea- that humanity has to view itself in “congeries”, or in constant association, with other species that it coinhabits the planet with.
I find this deeply meaningful.
It is evident in the narcissistic self-centred view of the “autonomous individual” to place oneself in the middle of the universe. However, to each one of us, we are the centre of our own consciousness, and as thus our world would end if we would cease to be.
A Strange Range
Green’s work at times places far too much importance on the species, often overestimating what we are capable of. At other times, I found what we have done to this planet deeply nauseating and appalling.
The book reveals the marvels of our temporal range, humanity’s capacity for wonder, joys like sunsets and icons like sycamore trees. It likewise decries the capitalistic abandon with which conglomerates pilfer and the sheer audacity with which our species has ensured the extinction of countless other species.
Hope
Green’s words do keep heralding back to hope. For instance, the reviews around mental health are some of the most deeply touching portions that I have read in a while. I was constantly reminded of the podcast through which this book was born and could not resist the constant call of gooseflesh and teary eyes.
I have often been told that a critical view of this world, which seeks to problematize, is at its core a bleak endeavour. However, I find hope in pointing out problems and questioning solutions. Of all the uniquely Anthropocene virtues, hope is an invention that I hope will flourish.
Mostly, I do hope you enjoyed this first offering. It is a genuine attempt to add value to your reading. Do pick up a copy of this book in any form that you find appealing.
I look forward to your thoughts, critical inputs, and any potential conversation that may arise from this. Do follow this newsletter for more of the same the next time I finish a book.
I found this book to be a much more crisp offering from Green.
You have polished it up even more in this newsletter and done justice to the podcast as well.
This book can add to conversation on anything like Canada geese, the QWERTY keyboard and so on.
Great attempt. Looking forward to the next one buddy.