BookBunnies

Marshmallow reviews The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

Today Marshmallow is writing about The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, a climate future novel originally published in 2020.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you care about the environment and enjoy science fiction, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): The book starts in 2025 (five years after the book publication date) with a horrific heat wave in India. Frank May, an American volunteer helping support the locals in rural towns, witnesses one of the worst atrocities of the century and barely survives the fatal conditions. Afterwards, he is left permanently haunted with the memories of burning bodies in a boiling lake.

The great Indian heat wave is just the first of many natural disasters to come. To protect the world from the dangers of climate change, a new UN body is chartered to help fulfill the Paris Agreement: the newly dubbed Ministry for the Future. It serves to represent the peoples of tomorrow and all the unborn generations that will have to contend with the repercussions of climate change today and onwards.

Unfortunately, they were too late to save India from the heat wave. So India takes matters into its own hands. Spraying sulfur dioxide into the skies, India mimics the aftermath of a volcanic eruption to block the sun’s rays from reaching its people again. This helps lower temperatures by a bit but not enough. The truth is undeniable. Time is running out.

Mary Murphy is the head of the Ministry for the Future and is thus tasked with the impossible task of fixing climate change. Together with her international team of scientists, economists, lawyers, and advisors, she must develop strategies to combat and prevent the worst effects of global warming – both latent and potent. They start with the glaciers and the Arctic. Dyeing the sea water yellow, scientists speculate that the heat from the sun will be reflected back into space and decrease the rate of warming. Soon, the entire Arctic sea is a repulsive yellow; yet, it works and more time is bought for the world. Researchers struggle to get funding for a glacier-saving project and eventually figure out that they can slow the rate of disappearance by sucking out the meltwater from underneath the ice.

There are so many intricate details and fascinating theories presented in this book that force you to reckon with the sheer scale of our climate situation. Throughout the book, Mary and Frank take action into their own hands in different ways in different places. Woven throughout the book are the narratives of other characters that weave into a larger epic. In The Ministry for the Future, you will learn just how terrified you should be of what is to come so you understand how critical it is for us to start acting now.

Marshmallow is reading The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson. — Marshmallow is reading *The* *Ministry for the Future* by Kim Stanley Robinson.

Marshmallow’s Review: I think Vox Magazine’s Ezra Klein summed up this book best, “If I could get policymakers, and citizens, everywhere to read just one book this year, it would be Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future… Robinson is one of the greatest living science fiction writers.” I wholeheartedly agree. While I cannot attest to the scientific soundness of his proposed methodologies, I believe he offers us a wider view of the creativity we will need in order to survive this climate catastrophe as a species and as a planet.

You start this book and are immediately shell-shocked by how terrifying things are likely to get. The first couple of chapters leave their mark and I do not think younger bunnies would be able to get through them. (Caramel was curious but the first chapter stopped him in his tracks.) As such, I think this is an excellent book, but probably only for bunnies older than 14.

In the rest of the book, you see the realistic struggle of policymakers and researchers working to fix the environmental damage humans have caused. It was very frustrating to see up close how slow action is being taken. However, it is also very disturbing that Robinson seems to believe that change will only truly come if there is rampant ecoterrorism! More realistically, he proposes that there is no silver bullet; we will need an entire spray of arsenals aimed at the plethora of problems before us.

The Ministry for the Future does a fantastic job of showing us just what situation we have gotten ourselves into and the possible ways out. That said, this is not a book that is very easy to read. There are one hundred and six chapters and the whole book is around 563 pages. This is not necessarily a problem until you realize that his writing style is something you need to adjust to. Once in the rhythm of reading it, his prose is very enjoyable and envelops your entire focus, giving your senses exactly what is necessary to paint the perfect picture in your mind. He has little excerpts of poetry-like paragraphs describing the perspective of things like sun rays, carbon, caribou, history – inanimate things or creatures we normally do not consider the emotions or thoughts of. I found this fascinating. He also writes certain chapters like they are the minutes from a meeting or inserts random experiences from unnamed characters whose stories tie into something mentioned before or after the chapter. I adjusted to his style and deeply enjoyed it but that does not mean it was easy. On the contrary, this might have been the hardest book I’ve ever read. It is long and the style can be a bit arduous at times. Not to mention, the vocabulary is advanced, to say the least, and references to obscure economic and historical terms are ever-present. Expect to reach for your phone or a nearby dictionary every few paragraphs.

I really do think The Ministry for the Future is excellent. But I would have really liked to see him write another version that is more accessible. Perhaps one day he will consider writing an easier-to-read version of the book that younger children and teens could comprehend quicker. So many wonderful and inspiring ideas and concepts and stories are told here that could help encourage the change we need. But, because of the caliber of literary prose here, it is almost completely inaccessible to anyone who isn’t a dedicated reader or already an environmentalist. I love the environment and reading, and even I almost couldn’t make it to the end. This is coming from someone who has regularly read books over 500 pages and found this to be a very enlightening book.

I think the quality and message and ideals portrayed in it make The Ministry for the Future a book that everyone should read. I just hope he makes a more accessible version so that everyone can truly absorb his ideas and embrace his message. Right now, I worry that those invaluable stories are kept hidden within the pages of this book.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 99%.

Marshmallow rates The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson 99%. — Marshmallow rates *The Ministry for the Future* by Kim Stanley Robinson 99%.

Caramel reviews The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell

Caramel has already read and reviewed Impossible Creatures and The Poisoned King, the first two books in Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures trilogy. Today he reviews The Neverfear, the third book in the series, just published earlier this month. As usual Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about the third book in this Impossible Creatures trilogy. You were really excited about it; did the book satisfy your curiosity?

Caramel: Yes, it did, it gave the series a good ending, but can’t say how. But there is a kidnapping in the beginning and that gets resolved. .

S: And the whole trilogy wraps up nicely too?

C: Yes, there’s a happy ending, too, so that’s always appreciated.

S: Cool! Okay but maybe we should go back and start at the beginning. You were wondering what Neverfear meant.

C: Oh, yeah, it’s apparently the name of Nighthand’s boat.

S: Wait, who is Nighthand?

C: He is the “berserker” guy that showed up in the second book, and helped Christopher and Anya to get back the kingdom.

S: So he helps them in this book too?

C: Well, not quite, because if they told him, the kidnapped person would be killed, so they couldn’t tell him. So they sort of had to steal his ship. But it all ends up nicely in the end.

S: Alright then, I suppose. So there are new problems in this book to be resolved. There was also a cliffhanger in the second book. I am assuming that got resolved too.

C: yeah, that got resolved in, I believe, the first or second chapter.

S: Oh good. So that must have been good.

C: Yep. But the new challenges started immediately, too, so you had to keep reading.

Caramel is reading The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell. — Caramel is reading *The Neverfear* by Katherine Rundell.

S: It seems like this book too has some neat illustrations. They are done by the same person, Ashley Mackenzie.

C: Yeah, I like this artist’s work a lot. Definitely she is great for a regular book with all words. Now for graphic novels, Mike Holmes is the best! If only they came out with more graphic novels…

S: Now, I know Holmes did the Wings of Fire graphic novels. So I am guessing this is your roundabout way to request more Wings of Fire graphic novels?

C: Not very roundabout. I think I’m being pretty transparent… There are at least seven more books to go!

S: I think you are right. Anyway, back to the book we were talking about. Being the third in a trilogy I would assume one has to read the first two books to get much out of this one, right?

C: Yes, it is much more understandable with prior knowledge of the world and such.

S: Totally makes sense of course. Okay so did you like this world this story is taking place in?

C: Yeah, I like this artist’s work a lot. Definitely she is great for a regular book with all words. Now for graphic novels, Mike Holmes is the best! If only they came out with more graphic novels…

S: Now, I know Holmes did the Wings of Fire graphic novels. So I am guessing this is your roundabout way to request more Wings of Fire graphic novels?

C: Not very roundabout. I think I’m being pretty transparent… There are at least seven more books to go!

S: I think you are right. Anyway, back to the book we were talking about. Being the third in a trilogy I would assume one has to read the first two books to get much out of this one, right?

C: Yes, it is much more understandable with prior knowledge of the world and such.

S: Totally makes sense of course. Okay so did you like the world this story is taking place in?

C: Yes, it is very interesting, and apparently Hercules bred Cerberus!

S: Wait, Hercules and Cerberus from Greek mythology? They are also in this world?

C: Yes, but there are multiple Cerberuses, and not all characters of Greek mythology exist. So maybe they’re called Cerberi?

S: Interesting hypothesis Caramel! I really do not know. But I did not know this world was kind of a mixed bag like that. It is interesting!

C: Yes, it was really fun to read.

S: Sounds wonderful Caramel. I think this might be a good place to wrap up this review.

C: After all it is again a school night.

S: Yep. So let us do this. What do you want to tell our readers?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading The Neverfear by Katherine Rundell and appreciates a trilogy with a happy ending. — Caramel enjoyed reading *The Neverfear* by Katherine Rundell and appreciates a trilogy with a happy ending.

Marshmallow reviews Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren

Today Marshmallow is reviewing Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren. Originally published in 1994, this book is widely viewed as the first publication that introduced Western audiences to the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic. Marshmallow read the revised 2008 edition.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books about Japanese culture, Zen philosophy, or art in general, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (without Spoilers): This book serves as Koren’s definition for the wabi-sabi aesthetic, something he believes should never be defined. For context, he even says this explicitly at the start of the book. He states that the aesthetic has an intentional “History of Obfuscation” because of its Zen Buddhism roots, the iemoto system of Japanese trade, and aesthetic obscurantism (which is the practice of obscuring the full details of something to hide its nature). These big words make sense to the reader eventually though as he provides a paragraph of explanation for each cause. Overall, these three factors have long left wabi-sabi as a nebulous feeling, a set of aesthetic ideals that Japanese people have struggled to put to words or have purposefully not done so. Koren argues that this is for the best or it was in the past. However, wabi-sabi is an endangered way that he believes now requires a more rigid definition. After all, if people – artists, designers, poets, philosophers, and even ordinary people in general – cannot identify what makes something wabi-sabi, it is surely doomed to be lost.

Koren traces the history of the aesthetic back to the sacred ceremonies of the famed and wise tea master Rikyu. He allegedly began using homely, imperfect pieces in his tea-making process, something that was an oddity at the time. In the pre-Rikyu period, the ceremonies were filled with elaborate, ornate pieces of the Chinese aesthetic. In contrast, Rikyu created a uniquely Japanese style that focused on “the rustic, the simple, the artless, the unsophisticated.” Eventually, though, these pieces became viewed as even more valuable. But, as Koren explains, they then lost their wabi-sabi qualities.

This exemplifies what the wabi-sabi aesthetic really values. It is the “most conspicuous and characteristic feature of what we think of as traditional Japanese beauty” despite being very focused on “the idea of not being conspicuous at all.”

Tracing the origins and meanings of the words ‘wabi’ and ‘sabi,’ Koren defines wabi-sabi to be the aesthetic that focuses on three fundamental truths: nothing lasts, nothing is complete, and nothing is perfect. In some way, this also means that everything is in a state between the creation and destruction of something or, in another way of reasoning, everything is in the process of becoming something or becoming nothing. Nothing in itself is viewed as an opportunity for something and something is an opportunity for nothing.

It is all very complicated sounding, but Koren does a good job of spelling it out for all readers. With some quiet time and contemplation, this book offers us a way to prevent “the extinction of a beauty” that Koren’s work seeks to preserve.

Marshmallow is reading Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren. — Marshmallow is reading *Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers* by Leonard Koren.

Marshmallow’s Review: I found Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers to be a fascinating analysis of this Japanese aesthetic. Wabi-sabi became somewhat of a trend online a little while ago and this book is a really good way to embrace and deepen one’s understanding of what wabi-sabi actually means. The internet trend associated with it is adorable and really meaningful! This book is a perfect way to explore the cultural significance it holds in Japan though. Koren analyzes the historical origins, how it developed over time, and how it is still somewhat present today.

I think reading Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers not only gave me an understanding of the aesthetic itself. It also showed me more about what the ideals and beliefs behind much of Japanese and Zen culture are. This is a really good experience to have for all bunnies because it really gives you good time to think about the thoughts of the tea masters from millennia ago and provides a moment of peace where you can think about quieter, natural philosophies that are so distant and distinct from much of the media we consume today. Finding that moment of calm in this book was a really valuable time and I would highly recommend reading this book – if not to learn about the aesthetic – to take some time to think about philosophy, life, and nature deeper.

Images are placed throughout the pages in black and white stills that hint at what wabi-sabi looks like. They are rather ordinary yet strange looking things but they give you a sense of the aesthetics meaning. I found that the book’s brevity and its accompanying images do a really good job of leaving you with a feeling of calm and a greater appreciation for the wabi-sabi things in life. While I’m not going to change my entire aesthetic, I think it is worth thinking about imperfections and the sometimes boringly simple as beautiful. In such a complicated world, books like this one give us time to return to another world when tea ceremonies and wabi-sabi were new, reopening our imaginations to see a whole new perspective.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers* by Leonard Koren 100%.

Caramel reviews Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

Today Caramel is reviewing Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, and first published in 2006. As usual, Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.

Caramel reviews Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. — Caramel reviews *Fletcher and the Falling Leaves*, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.

Sprinkles: So Caramel, today we are talking about a sweet story about the coming fall season.

Caramel: Yes we are. It’s about a fox named Fletcher who hates change.

S: Well, he is a very young fox and he is not used to change. It is sometimes hard to deal with change, no?

C: Yeah, I don’t quite like change either, but it is sadly necessary.

S: Yes, you had to finish one school and start another. We had to move. You changed teachers, And so on. We have to deal with change all the time. And even when it is natural it can be hard.

C: Yeah. And the change Fletcher is upset about in this book is also very natural.

S: Okay, so tell us a bit more.

C: So Fletcher is this little fox who loves a tree, but one day he notices that the tree’s leaves are losing their nice bright green color.

S: Hmm…

C: Then the tree starts losing its leaves. So Fletcher at first thinks the tree is sick, so he goes to his parent, and asks about it, and the parent says not to worry, because it’s only autumn.

S: Of course! But Fletcher is young, so he probably has not seen autumn before!

C: Yeah, so he eventually comes back to the tree, and sees there is only one leaf left on its branches, so he does anything to keep it on the tree.

S: Oh, I can see where this is going. He won’t be able to help much, will he?

C: Yeah, no. He tries to tape it to the branch, but eventually it falls, and he eventually learns that change is inevitable, and not always bad.

Caramel is reading Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. — Caramel is reading *Fletcher and the Falling Leaves*, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.

S: Yes! Dare I mention impermanence? Maybe not. But I remember the very last page! Autumn is normal and after it comes winter! And it can be lovely!

C: Yeah, the last page is really pretty. But the whole book is really nice to look at! The colors are all very nice and warm.

S: Yeah, and things look feathery and really almost dreamlike. I thought of the books we read that were illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault, like Captain Rosalie, Colette’s Lost Pet, and Albert’s Quiet Quest. It is really quiet and makes you feel peaceful when you are looking at the pages.

C: Well, you also feel the anxiety and sadness Fletcher is feeling. So those are not very peaceful feelings, but the pictures are still very nice, so maybe you can guess that Fletcher will soon feel better too.

S: Yes, I can see that. You are right Caramel! That’s a lovely observation! So do you like autumn?

C: Meh, it’s nice, but it is nicer in winter, when it’s colder. I like cold, I’m a cold weather bunny.

S: That’s interesting! I like cold more than hot weather, too. But I also love autumn. I like the changing colors, and it is also when school starts which is always exciting!

C: Which reminds me. Tonight is again a school night. Hint hint.

S: Hmm, I think I know what you are getting at. Maybe we have said enough about this book.

C: Yes. I do think this is a really neat book. Young bunnies will enjoy it and this is really a good time to read it because autumn is coming. But maybe we can wrap this review up, so I can go to sleep…

S: Sure, that totally makes sense. Okay, let us wrap it up. What do you want to tell our readers then?

C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!

Caramel enjoyed reading Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, and is happy autumn is almost here! — Caramel enjoyed reading *Fletcher and the Falling Leaves*, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, and is happy autumn is almost here!