Enchanted Forests: The Poetic Construction of a World before Time

by Boria Sax

Linking literature, philosophy, art, and personal experience, a moving exploration of the wooded landscape’s power.
 
In 1985 Boria Sax inherited an area of forest in New York State, which had been purchased by his Russian, Jewish, and Communist grandparents as a buffer against what they felt was a hostile world. For Sax, in the years following, the woodland came to represent a link with those who currently live and had lived there, including Native Americans, settlers, bears, deer, turtles, and migrating birds. In this personal and eloquent account, Sax explores the meanings and cultural history of forests from prehistory to the present, taking in Gilgamesh, Virgil, Dante, the Gawain poet, medieval alchemists, the Brothers Grimm, Hudson River painters, Latin American folklore, contemporary African novelists, and much more. Combining lyricism with contemporary scholarship, Sax opens new emotional, intellectual, and environmental perspectives on the storied history of the forest.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

288 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2023

About the author

A person is not a list of accomplishments, and so I prefer not to introduce myself in that way. It is more accurate to say each of us is a collection of stories. Like others, I have more stories than I could ever tell or even know. I have been, among other things, a human rights activist, an impoverished poet, a manual worker, an expert on online education, and a pioneer in Animal Studies.

I was raised on Communism, the grandest of grand narratives. it sought to explain everything but didn’t explain anything very well. I have always missed its dramatic sweep. I wanted big answers for the big questions. I wouldn’t accept the little ones and kept getting in trouble with my teachers.

My father had been a Soviet spy, passing atomic secrets, and the initial years of my life were spent with my nearly destitute family trying to shake the FBI by moving many times a year. My father, a Russian Jew, was impulsive, brilliant, loving, abusive, and seriously mentally ill. My mother, coming from a rather puritanical British background, saw him as a romantic rebel. She was drawn to the Civil Rights movement and was a co-founder of CORE (the Congress on Racial Equality), but the difficulties of survival overwhelmed her idealism. She held our family together with a sort of everyday heroism, and my parents divorced after 18 tempestuous years.

Rather than focusing exclusively on any specialty, I like to draw analogies between domains that appear very far apart. In the 1980s, when I began to write about literature, I was disappointed to discover that I had to spend far more time sorting through commentaries than with poems and stories. The topic of animals in literature and folklore was, however, relatively new. Browsing in used bookshops, I came across eighteenth and nineteenth century encyclopedias of animals, which were an uncharted world of comedy and romance, filled with turkeys that speak Arabic, beavers that build like architects, and dogs that solve murders. They revealed every bit as much about human society as about birds and beasts.

I started writing mostly about human-animal relations and never stopped. Indulging my fondness for paradoxes, I addressed subjects like Nazi animal protection, the modernity of the ravens in the Tower of London, and the Thanksgiving turkey as a sacrificial offering. As for trees, I think of them as just a kind of animal. By now, I have published roughly twenty books, which have been translated into many languages. I often violate academic protocols, not only by addressing broad themes but also by inserting humor and lyricism into my texts. I teach in the college program of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility and the graduate literature program of Mercy University.

There have been two constants in my somewhat untidy life. One is the support of my wife Linda, who has been with me over half a century and whom I cannot thank enough. The other is my writing, which I have worked on continually but am unable to judge. Thanks, reader, for reading this, and I hope you are inspired to read more.

Reviews

[Vanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading, I can conclude this is one of my favorite reads of all time.

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting exploration of the link between human kind and nature. Opens your eyes to just how much forests are interwoven in the history of humans. Dense read for a rare reader of nonfiction like myself but on a topic I found very fascinating.

[Michael Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Meetup readers loved Enchanted Forests! The way Boria Sax connects myth, history, and nature is breathtaking. Several of us joked a short video trailer could draw even more readers into this magical world.”

[Laurent Carbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written and meditative read on the role forests have played in our imagination throughout history.

[Kimberly T · Rating 5 out of 5]

After our club session on Enchanted Forests, we’re excited to feature Boria Sax’s next work. We can’t wait to explore more of his insights.”

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our library meetup found Enchanted Forests inspiring, thought-provoking, and lyrical. It left a lasting impression.”

[Sophie Robert! · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Club members praised the depth and richness of Sax’s writing it was a remarkable discussion.”

[Amanda S · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Meetup members would love to discuss his second book in a future session!”

[Amina Moudarrlr · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Boria Sax’s prose is lyrical and immersive. Our club readers were fascinated by the forest stories across cultures. A teaser video would surely attract a wider audience.”

[Andrea! · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Boria Sax’s prose is lyrical and immersive. Our club readers were fascinated by the forest stories across cultures. A teaser video would surely attract a wider audience.”

[Andy Strike · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The first book was captivating. We’re looking forward to featuring Sax’s next title soon.”

[Ann Handley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our meetup couldn’t stop talking about the depth of Enchanted Forests. I’d love to see a short trailer highlighting the forest’s journey it would bring the book to life for more readers.”

[Ava Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our library readers are eager to continue this literary journey with the second book.”

[Robinson Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Meetup couldn’t stop talking about the beauty and insight of this book.”

[Bella Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As part of our library book club, we found the book both scholarly and poetic. Some readers suggested a short trailer to capture the imagination of curious new readers.”

[Ben M · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We would be thrilled to spotlight the follow-up work in our club. Excited already!”

[Bethany Benker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This discussion brought the forest to life for all our readers it was captivating.”

[Charlotte Mecklenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This book is a treasure. The way Sax weaves myth, literature, and personal reflection inspired our group. A trailer could show just how rich the book is visually and conceptually.”

[Daniel Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our group loved Enchanted Forests and is ready for more!”

[Kenneth M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really made me think about how we see nature. It’s not just about forests, but about memory and imagination. Loved discussing it with Read-Aloud SG Book Club.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very reflective and rich in ideas. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after reading. Our Read-Aloud SG Book Club had an engaging discussion around it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated how the author connects history, myth, and personal experience. It feels both intellectual and emotional. A meaningful read from Read-Aloud SG Book Club.

[Allcla Selfert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book invites you to slow down and think deeply. Forests are presented in such a symbolic and powerful way. Loved exploring it with Read-Aloud SG Book Club.

[Ayomide · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully layered book with a lot to unpack. The mix of storytelling and scholarship works really well. Great discussion in Read-Aloud SG Book Club.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very poetic and thoughtful. It changed how I think about nature and its role in human life. Glad we featured this in Read-Aloud SG Book Club.

[Fillp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique and meaningful reading experience. The ideas are rich and open to interpretation, which made our Read-Aloud SG Book Club discussion even better.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers a deep look into the relationship between humans and nature. It’s both calming and intellectually stimulating. Great pick by Read-Aloud SG Book Club.

[Graeme · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how the book blends personal story with larger cultural themes. It feels very thoughtful and well-crafted. Thanks to Read-Aloud SG Book Club for this feature.

[Joe Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and beautifully written book that invites you to see forests in a completely different way. It’s reflective, layered, and full of meaning.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique exploration of nature, culture, and imagination. I especially appreciated the way it connects different traditions and ideas across time.