Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a heartfelt collection of witty, philosophical essays where John Green rates everything from Canadian geese to Diet Dr Pepper on a five-star scale, blending history, science, and personal reflection. The writing is deeply personal and often funny, yet doesn’t shy away from big topics like mental health, hope, and what it means to be human right now. You’ll especially enjoy this if you love creative nonfiction, enjoy John Green’s voice (literally and figuratively - the audiobook is highly recommended), or just want something that’ll make you see everyday things in a new, more hopeful light. Great for fans of thoughtful musings, pop culture, and finding extraordinary meaning in the ordinary.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find the book overly earnest, self-indulgent, or too focused on John Green's personal experiences. If you want in-depth exploration of topics rather than short, bite-sized “reviews” or dislike highly personal writing, it may not be your cup of tea. A few felt the format grew repetitive, or that the tone was a bit precious or melodramatic. Those not into introspective essays, or who prefer more plot-driven reads, might not connect with its style or structure.
About:
The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green is a collection of essays that delve into various aspects of the Anthropocene era, exploring topics ranging from the invention of Dr Pepper to the impact of humanity on the planet. Green's writing style is described as thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and deeply personal, offering unique insights into human experiences and interactions with the world.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book addresses themes like mental health struggles, such as depression and anxiety, which might be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
A deeply moving and insightful collection of personal essays from #1 bestselling author John Green.
The Anthropocene is the current geologic age, in which humans have profoundly reshaped the planet and its biodiversity. In this remarkable symphony of essays adapted and expanded from his groundbreaking podcast, bestselling author John Green reviews different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale-from the QWERTY keyboard and sunsets to Canada geese and Penguins of Madagascar.
Funny, complex, and rich with detail, the reviews chart the contradictions of contemporary humanity. As a species, we are both far too powerful and not nearly powerful enough, a paradox that came into sharp focus as we faced a global pandemic that both separated us and bound us together.
John Green's gift for storytelling shines throughout this masterful collection. The Anthropocene Reviewed is a open-hearted exploration of the paths we forge and an unironic celebration of falling in love with the world.
Ratings (72)
Incredible (26) | |
Loved It (28) | |
Liked It (10) | |
It Was OK (7) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (147):
Read It (77) | |
Currently Reading (8) | |
Want To Read (49) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (10) |
3 comment(s)
very good
listened to audiobook
great depression rep
covid thoughts
i like the way john green thinks
3.5 ⭐️
I want to give this 4 stars really badly. However, there were too many essays that dragged on just a bit too long and were just a bit too boring for me to give this a higher score.
This is a essay collection but has a lot of elements of a memoir that I really liked. The parts that weren't memoir focused I actually enjoyed more. There were lots of fun facts and philosophical analyses of life that were super engaging and fun to read (and even emotional at moments).
I still think this book is worth reading even if it isn't 10/10 essays all the way through. There is enough in this short book to justify reading. I learned a lot about silly things like Giant Canadian Geese but also about depression, happiness, and the meaning of life.
This was such a great collection of mini essays! I loved the thoughts about small reviews that made a big impact on John Green's life. The one about Jurassic Park and the Geese were probably my favourite! All the ones about sports were lack luster but I recognize that's just because I don't keep up with sports ahaha.
What can you read after
The Anthropocene Reviewed?
About the Author:
John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of books including Looking for Alaska, The Fault in Our Stars, and Turtles All the Way Down. His books have received many accolades, including a Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and an Edgar Award. John has twice been a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and was selected by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He is also the writer and host of the critically acclaimed podcast The Anthropocene Reviewed. With his brother, Hank, John has co-created many online video projects, including Vlogbrothers and the educational channel Crash Course. He lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit John online at johngreenbooks.com.
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