Underground Lovers: Encounters with fungi

by Alison Pouliot

‘In the gloom of the forest floor, fallen branches are sheathed with fungal stripes of yellow and purple. But beneath the colourful surface, the fallen litter is alive with the clandestine workings of fungi.’
What can we learn from the lives of fungi? Underground Lovers brings us to our knees, magnifier in hand, to find out.
Fungi offer a way to imagine life differently. In Underground Lovers Alison Pouliot reaches down to earth, and deeper, to dwell with fungal allies and aliens, discover how fungi hold forests together, and why humans are deeply entwined with these unruly renegades of the subterrain. Told through first-hand stories — from the Australian desert to Iceland’s glaciers to America’s Cascade Mountains — Alison Pouliot shares encounters with glowing ghost fungi and unearths the enigma of the lobster mushroom. Melding science and personal reflection, she explores the fungi that appear after fire, how fungi and climate change interact, the role of fungi in our ecosystems, and much more.
‘Underground Lovers is a joy to read.’ — Sophie Cunningham, author of City of Trees
‘Sensual and scientific. Dazzling and boundary breaking. Underground Lovers will make you see the world anew.’ — Long Litt Woon, author of The Way Through the Woods
‘The world of fungi is our world even if we don’t know it and can’t see most of it — strange, dazzling, spooky, unpredictable, friendly, deadly, sly. And Alison is the perfect guide. She surprises and informs, delights and warns; makes you wish you could walk with her and her passionate companions. That’s OK. In this book you do.’ — Paul Kelly, songwriter
‘An evocative, accessible and important book about one of the most vital, yet hugely ignored, kingdoms on our planet – fungi. After reading this you cannot help but see the world in a different light – and should approach mushrooms and truffles with new relish.’ — Charles Massy, author of Call of the Reed Warbler
‘Anyone who has joined Alison in a forest, anywhere in the world, will know her incredible ability to magnify those microscopic organisms that hold our natural world together, to connect every element of human life — physical, emotional or social — to the function of our natural landscapes. Underground Lovers is like a walk in the forest, pungent and complex, filled with curiosity and wonder, and leaving you with a sense that there is so much more to uncover.’ — Millie Ross, horticulturist and presenter, ABCTV Gardening Australia
‘This subterranean journey introduces the quirks of behaviour that allow fungi to spread through soils, support living plants, and recycle the debris of nature. Alison is an accomplished storyteller.’ — Nicholas P. Money, mycologist and science writer
‘The underground teaches us a different language – and Alison Pouliot is the perfect translator.’ — Toby Kiers, Professor, VU Amsterdam
‘Underground Lovers takes storytelling about fungi to a captivating new level. A well-researched page turner.’ — Anders Dahlberg, Professor, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
‘Underground Lovers is a global travel guide to the magnificent realm of fungi. It is beautifully written, with eyes wide open to the intricate wonder of it all – what a story!’ — Bob Brown

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Ecology, Environment

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2023

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read, Pouliot writes vividly, and while this is not information dense, it covers a wide range of topics showcasing various wonders of fungi, with an accessible introduction to their evolution. There might be better books on explaining fungi, and others (including others of hers) better at showing their beauty and following, but I don't think I've read another that combines them so well. It helps that Pouliot covers anecdotes and descriptions from several continents, adding another aspect of breadth.

[Milo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Alison Pouliot’s ‘Underground Lovers’ is a really fascinating and beautifully written exploration of the world of fungi and the complex relationships they have w other organisms in their ecosystems. Pouliot's writing is both informative and engaging, and almost sort of humble, in that she doesn’t take herself too seriously despite her impressive resume as an ecologist, scientist, photographer, and author. Take the first few pages of the book, where she talks about being in Yorkshire fr an international congress on fungal conservation, and while hitchhiking (no less) to the congress dinner catches a ride w a group of goths driving a hearse. Through all this, she provides the reader w a deeper understanding and appreciation of the often overlooked yet utterly crucial role fungi play in our environment and ecosystems. W a meld of scientific research and personal anecdotes and first-hand stories, Pouliot delves into the diverse and mysterious world of fungi (not just of fungi itself, but also of mycologists and other fungi enthusiasts), revealing a hidden world that is both beautiful and essential to life on earth. ‘Underground Lovers’ also serves as a sort of call to action, fr me at least, urging us readers to embrace a more holistic approach to our environment. Pouliot highlights the interconnectedness of all living beings, emphasising the need to protect and conserve our natural world. Through this book, she encourages us to slow down, observe, respect, and reconnect w the beauty and resilience of fungi and other natural beings, ultimately inspiring a sense of responsibility and stewardship. Think of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s ‘Honorable Harvest’ - which Pouliot mentions in this book - that guide our interactions w nature, emphasising the importance of reciprocity, gratitude, etc, and that draw frm Indigenous traditions and teachings that have been passed down through generations, highlighting the deep connection between humans and the land. Overall, we must consider the long-term impacts of our actions and ensure that we’re not depleting or harming the ecosystems that sustain us.

[Jacob Favacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a while to finish this but holy moly was this book excellent! Really gets you thinking from different perspectives and was simply just an enjoyable and fascinating read.

[Chloe Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Feel like pure shit just want to forage some mushrooms <\3 )
Pouliot’s passion for her subject is evident from the rich scientific detail and tenderness through which she describes Australian landscapes and their fungal ecology. Her writing style is concise and unpretentious, making the text a really accessible intro into modern Australian eco criticism. Felt I learned a lot about fungi and the Australian mycological field but more importantly how local geographies, indigenous knowledge, and immigrant narratives can be focalised to promote sustainable conservation.

[Mara S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a brilliantly written book and I didn't want it to finish. I find the world of mushrooms so fascinating and Alison sure has some amazing stories. The biggest takeaway for me was to keep some mess in the garden to promote fungi.

[SS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fungi, fungi and more fungi all wrapped up in a non-chronological meander of different aspects of fungi and the people that love and live for fungi.

An entrancing read, where you can envisage yourself crawling through the forests of the world in search of these species. Dank, dark and forever Autumn 🧡

An excellent representation of science communication for the masses, with this being a culmination work on the shoulders of some giants.

[Jumpingjacques · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 really, but closer to 2 than 3. A bit unfocused (strange to say of a book about the author's obsession), it was often anecdotal but not expansive enough on that. She is proselytising for more attention to be given to fungi in the ecology world but didn't write well enough to be convincing. Sad, I heard her on the radio and her enthusiasm was infectious, not so on the page.

[Emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled to get into a rhythm when starting this book, but boy, am I glad I persisted. A variety of interesting angles, facts and topics were introduced with each chapter. It has converted me into another enthusiastic mycophile. I now have questions that need answering, and am planning to dive head first into some of the source material referenced in the book.

[D'face · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some interesting facts but much is unknown. The feminist and indigenous aspects seemed forced and not directly related to the topic. Given recent deaths due to death cap mushrooms I was expecting more on this, likewise the beneficial and recreational uses of psychedelics.

[Shifali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underground Lovers is an incredible account of the wonder of fungi, intriguing and accessible. Just like her, Alison has masterfully woven stories of her career, relationships with her fellow mycophiles and of the land to create a delightful read!

[Neralie Hoadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought a book about fungi could be interesting? This kept me going til the end and opened my eyes to a whole realm of life in the soil beneath us.
A very gentle read.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fascinating information on fungii, and a call to arms to make greater efforts to protect biodiversity.

[Bridget Hiho]

Fabulous read!

[Thomas Reads books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely entertaining read.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5

[Freya Brown]

Beautiful gentle book, not dissimilar from a soothing nature doco. Nothing so groundbreaking but I just love fungi so much it was very exciting and enjoyable to read

[Majenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Eloquently puts into words so many feelings I have about my love of fungi. Great book for any reader, fungi fanatic or not.