Saraband (18 Oct. 2018)
ISBN: 978-1912235278
Reviewed by Ian Mowll
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I live in a city (London) and I have a growing desire to connect with my local area. There is a lot of literature that suggests that living in a city can have a lower environmental impact than in the countryside. And as more of the global population is shifting to city life, maybe it’s time to understand further and promote greenness and healthy living in cities.
Furthermore, the author writes: It increasingly feels as if we are adrift in three directions: cut off from history and a sense of our own story; cut off from nature and a relationship with the species with which we share our space; and cut off from each other and a sense of local community. For me, this is, at least in part, what green spirituality seeks to address; to help me feel rooted in my local area and community. In this way, this book did not disappoint.
This book is about a particular area of London (Poplar in East London) and has an emphasis on its local trees. But what I like about the book is its breadth; it contains history, evolution, mythology, environmental awareness, interesting observations and the occasional dash of humour.
In his explanation of local trees, the author particularly focuses on the Plane tree; he explains its life cycle and traces its history. But best of all, he finds Plane trees in his local area and talks about them. So, the book has an immediacy to it which is refreshing.
I learnt a good deal too; I always thought that the oak tree supported the most species but the author says: The willow family supports over 450 species of insect, mite and lichen, more even than the oak tree, and the goat willow is among the richest of the group.
The author is the husband of an Anglican Minister who is serving at a local Anglican High Church. Through this, he makes an interesting observation about the overlap between this more mystical tradition and paganism, in that some of the church’s rituals are developed from pagan celebrations.
Towards the end of the book, the writer suggests that cities are seen as shared ecosystems and that if appropriate steps are taken, we will be safer from flash flooding, air pollution, extremes of temperature, and from noise and stress. These will be cities in which humans would be happier and healthier.
I really enjoyed this book and it inspires me to take more interest in my local area. As the author says: The focus on locality, so well practised by Gilbert White, was about more than the nature of the area. It was also about continuity, community, relationship and being grounded. It was about a feeling of wholeness.