Small Wonder

By: Barbara Kingsolver

Narrated by: Barbara Kingsolver

In twenty-two wonderfully articulate essays, Barbara Kingsolver raises her voice in praise of nature, family, literature, and the joys of everyday life while examining the genesis of war, violence, and poverty in our world

From the author of High Tide in Tucson, comes Small Wonder, a new collection of essays that begins with a parable gleaned from recent news: villagers search for a missing infant boy and find him, unharmed, in the cave of a dangerous bear that has mothered him like one of her own. Clearly, our understanding of evil needs to be revised. What we fear most can save us. From this tale, Barbara Kingsolver goes on to consider the chasm between the privileged and the poor, which she sees as the root cause of violence and war in our time. She writes about her attachment to the land, to nature and wilderness, trees and mountains--the place from which she tells her stories. Whether worrying about the dangers of genetically engineered food crops, or creating opportunities for children to feel useful and competent--like growing food for the family’s table--Kingsolver looks for small wonders, where they grow, and celebrates them.

Cover illustration © Panteek

©2002 Barbara Kingsolver; (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers

as relevant now as ever

I come to this collection for the first time, in early 2017, and find myself grateful for the truths it holds.
I hold these words in my heart, and on a loop in my head as each day seems to bring a new terror in our world. thank you for your grace and compassion

Connection and hope

Love the essays . I live in Littleton. And was moved to tears about the Columbine essay and thoughtfulness in the way it was written.

Beautiful, poignant and heartfelt

Thank you for this sharing, it filled me with hope and joy! I recommend this book highly, especially now and truly, every year.

Beautifully written

I read this book when it was new. This time I listened to it while working in my yard. I have made these same points regarding nature, consumerism, war, etc. to friends and colleagues over the years but I lack the grace and inner beauty of Barbara Kingsolver so I don’t think I changed any minds. As with her other novels, I laughed, cried and finished the book with renewed hope.

LISTEN

Another example of why BK is so worth the time.
AMAZING AMAZING
Listen if you can