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Gathering: Women of Colour on Nature
Gathering brings together essays by women of colour across the UK writing about their relationships with nature, in a genre long-dominated by male, white, middle-class writers. In redressing this imbalance, this moving collection considers climate justice, neurodiversity, mental health, academia, inherited histories, colonialism, whiteness, music, hiking and so much more.
These personal, creative, and fierce essays will broaden both conversations and horizons about our living world, encouraging readers to consider their own experience with nature and their place within it.
These personal, creative, and fierce essays will broaden both conversations and horizons about our living world, encouraging readers to consider their own experience with nature and their place within it.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2024
12 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 1, 2024
!! essential reading !!
this was a delight to read. I really liked the blend of both essays and personal experiences and relationships with nature. they were heartfelt, informative and eye opening!
as a mixed race woman, I really resonated with some of these essays with my own experiences with nature. aptly named 'Gathering', this book instantly makes your experiences feel validated and like you belong.
I was shocked and yet not surprised about how colonialism and capitalism is so deeply rooted with nature in the modern day and our experience of it, which is something I didn't really consider until now but should've.
a recurring theme I really loved was how faith and nature are so deeply interconnected. as western media seeks to distort your perception of the world around you, it was so refreshing to hear these voices and learn new perspectives
access and representation in the outdoors is already something I'm really passionate about, being involved in a small community to promote this (also thanks to them for suggesting this as our first book club read). so delving into the discourse around it further and reading these experiences has really enhanced my understanding of these issues.
this is a must read for all!
(I'm also really excited to attend the authors' discussion event about this book later this month!)
this was a delight to read. I really liked the blend of both essays and personal experiences and relationships with nature. they were heartfelt, informative and eye opening!
as a mixed race woman, I really resonated with some of these essays with my own experiences with nature. aptly named 'Gathering', this book instantly makes your experiences feel validated and like you belong.
I was shocked and yet not surprised about how colonialism and capitalism is so deeply rooted with nature in the modern day and our experience of it, which is something I didn't really consider until now but should've.
a recurring theme I really loved was how faith and nature are so deeply interconnected. as western media seeks to distort your perception of the world around you, it was so refreshing to hear these voices and learn new perspectives
access and representation in the outdoors is already something I'm really passionate about, being involved in a small community to promote this (also thanks to them for suggesting this as our first book club read). so delving into the discourse around it further and reading these experiences has really enhanced my understanding of these issues.
this is a must read for all!
(I'm also really excited to attend the authors' discussion event about this book later this month!)
January 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this essay collection which mixes more personal stories of connection with nature and those which were more global. Understandably, there were also some which talked about Covid and illness in relation to nature and I think they were my favourite.
June 2, 2024
This felt like such a rich and generous offering - a beautiful antidote to the usual approach to nature writing which usually centers male, white, able-bodied, colonialist perspectives.
Instead these essays get to the root of the different ways in which we are nature, and nature is us - intersecting with personal experiences of race, gender expression, illness and disability, our seasons and cycles, our senses.
I particularly liked the essays which sensitively wove in elements of spirituality, magic, mythology and metaphor - vital ingredients which we have almost completely lost in the name of 'enlightened scientific pursuit', but which are core to helping us understand ourselves *as* nature, and not above or apart from it.
Instead these essays get to the root of the different ways in which we are nature, and nature is us - intersecting with personal experiences of race, gender expression, illness and disability, our seasons and cycles, our senses.
I particularly liked the essays which sensitively wove in elements of spirituality, magic, mythology and metaphor - vital ingredients which we have almost completely lost in the name of 'enlightened scientific pursuit', but which are core to helping us understand ourselves *as* nature, and not above or apart from it.
January 15, 2025
This was really very good and very needed. Enjoyed the wide variety of stories, approaches and backgrounds of those included. Especially around faith, sexuality, home and health *surprise surprise.* Wish I'd actually written my favourite writers/chapters down - there are some I would've happily read a whole book by - but will likely come back for a reread in the future.
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January 8, 2024Proof review:
This anthology of essays felt extremely well paced and laid out. The voices of each essay feel steeped in love and genuineness that can’t be manufactured nor faked. The centring around Wales, that focus and rotation around its wondrous connection to nature and mythology, touched me personally as a particular highlight.
Would’ve liked to hear more about the pivotal moments that felt important to the narrator in the first essay. They’re touched upon lightly and capped with a quick one line about how it felt to be seen and noticed in that way, after being overlooked for the majority of their life - fleshing out these sections would’ve added something for me
Personal favourite for me was “An Ecostory” by Khairani Barokka. Felt innovative, creative and modern in form as it drifting between stanza’d poetry and a free flowing style which came off perfectly in the way each encounter and experience was listed. Shines light on the inner issues that we face in the climate crisis struggle. Even those we would hope to consider on a similar side to ours have prejudice and blindspots to some important aspects of the fight (usually, and sadly, in relation to race and cultural differences). Also shows how hypocrisy and ignorance can creep into my own ways of thinking. Openness is top priority.
Bookended with a fabulous essay which sits at the very heart of the matter. No reasoning or introduction, we are thrown into the immediacy and prevalence of nature in non-western spirituality when growing up. The natural landscape comes above all, folklore, myth, magic, all circle around the wild in ways that teach and morally implement themselves upon a child’s upbringing. Takes it’s rightful slice of nature back
To be unwoke in the internet age is to be an embarrassment. It is shameful to not want to know things and be well informed. I don’t care how boring you feel it sounds, or how much effort it takes (it’s barely any effort at all - grow up) just read up on things and take notice.
Many thanks to 404 Ink for the ARC of this future release in return for a fair review and feedback.
This anthology of essays felt extremely well paced and laid out. The voices of each essay feel steeped in love and genuineness that can’t be manufactured nor faked. The centring around Wales, that focus and rotation around its wondrous connection to nature and mythology, touched me personally as a particular highlight.
Would’ve liked to hear more about the pivotal moments that felt important to the narrator in the first essay. They’re touched upon lightly and capped with a quick one line about how it felt to be seen and noticed in that way, after being overlooked for the majority of their life - fleshing out these sections would’ve added something for me
Personal favourite for me was “An Ecostory” by Khairani Barokka. Felt innovative, creative and modern in form as it drifting between stanza’d poetry and a free flowing style which came off perfectly in the way each encounter and experience was listed. Shines light on the inner issues that we face in the climate crisis struggle. Even those we would hope to consider on a similar side to ours have prejudice and blindspots to some important aspects of the fight (usually, and sadly, in relation to race and cultural differences). Also shows how hypocrisy and ignorance can creep into my own ways of thinking. Openness is top priority.
Bookended with a fabulous essay which sits at the very heart of the matter. No reasoning or introduction, we are thrown into the immediacy and prevalence of nature in non-western spirituality when growing up. The natural landscape comes above all, folklore, myth, magic, all circle around the wild in ways that teach and morally implement themselves upon a child’s upbringing. Takes it’s rightful slice of nature back
To be unwoke in the internet age is to be an embarrassment. It is shameful to not want to know things and be well informed. I don’t care how boring you feel it sounds, or how much effort it takes (it’s barely any effort at all - grow up) just read up on things and take notice.
Many thanks to 404 Ink for the ARC of this future release in return for a fair review and feedback.
September 22, 2024
As with any compendium of writing there are some essays I loved and some that didn’t speak to me. I did appreciate them all and understand them to be coming from a point of view that isn’t mine - I’ve only felt nervous of the outdoors due to my gender, not due to the colour of my skin. These essays cover a wide range of topics. The back of the book says “this moving collection considers climate justice, neurodiversity, mental health, academia, inherited histories, colonialism, whiteness, music, hiking and so much more.”
One essay in particular I made notes from, an essay titled “The nature of white sustainability” by Sharon Dhaliwal
“The responsibility lies on the shoulders of the conglomerates that control our consumption, and the way in which the products are sourced. Our individual footprint is small, but its a footprint that doesn't exist until we make it. The more we make, the more our land and people benefit. But we can't ignore the fact that substantial change is done through trade policies, governments and business reparations. They have moved the guilt onto us. 'Why don't you recycle, why do you eat meat, how can stand to buy such cheap outfits/fast fashion??'
The reality is, we can only recycle in the areas we live in, with the access we have. Meat is consumed sustainably by Indigeous people - so being vegan isn't righteous, it's simply an easier solution to unethical production. Sustainable clothing is regulated to a certain class - to those who can afford it, but wealth should not determine how economical we can be.
But there are ways that we can be sustainable, ethical, environ-mental: acknowledge our proximity to whiteness, privilege, and how our choices are still participating in elements of neocolo-nialism. Whose lands are still being stripped? Whose labour is being abused? Is whiteness still profiting from it? When I ask myself these questions, I find I'm on a more secure footing with my actions.”
One essay in particular I made notes from, an essay titled “The nature of white sustainability” by Sharon Dhaliwal
“The responsibility lies on the shoulders of the conglomerates that control our consumption, and the way in which the products are sourced. Our individual footprint is small, but its a footprint that doesn't exist until we make it. The more we make, the more our land and people benefit. But we can't ignore the fact that substantial change is done through trade policies, governments and business reparations. They have moved the guilt onto us. 'Why don't you recycle, why do you eat meat, how can stand to buy such cheap outfits/fast fashion??'
The reality is, we can only recycle in the areas we live in, with the access we have. Meat is consumed sustainably by Indigeous people - so being vegan isn't righteous, it's simply an easier solution to unethical production. Sustainable clothing is regulated to a certain class - to those who can afford it, but wealth should not determine how economical we can be.
But there are ways that we can be sustainable, ethical, environ-mental: acknowledge our proximity to whiteness, privilege, and how our choices are still participating in elements of neocolo-nialism. Whose lands are still being stripped? Whose labour is being abused? Is whiteness still profiting from it? When I ask myself these questions, I find I'm on a more secure footing with my actions.”
February 6, 2024
A pencil, a trowel and a Dinosaur bone was really intriguing to read. We learn about Katherine's struggle with dyslexia and autism and her struggle to find a job being outside doing what she loves. She has some stumbles along the way with people certainly trying to knock her confidence but I loved how she was persistent and eventually felt happy and at home still surrounded by nature.
I found Durre Shahwar's feelings with her health relatable. Suffering with an illness myself I know how it feels to be housebound and desperately wanting to get back outside. I remember once just going out in the car and taking a picture of the sun shining on my hands because I hadn't seen it in so long! It makes you appreciate nature so much more.
I thought this was a great collection of essays and was really thought provoking for anyone reading it. I would highly recommend.
I found Durre Shahwar's feelings with her health relatable. Suffering with an illness myself I know how it feels to be housebound and desperately wanting to get back outside. I remember once just going out in the car and taking a picture of the sun shining on my hands because I hadn't seen it in so long! It makes you appreciate nature so much more.
I thought this was a great collection of essays and was really thought provoking for anyone reading it. I would highly recommend.
November 20, 2024
‘Nature taught me that, like the seasons, I can hibernate and rest. Nature doesn’t feel ashamed of resting. It knows how to pause and reemerge in spring, shine in the summer, and, come autumn, let go like the leaves. If only human beings followed this process with our own bodies.’ (Nadia Javed)
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This collection of essays provides new perspectives on nature from women of colour. My favourite essays were the creative, poetic ones - with subjects ranging from sugar and stones to the wind, hills and sea swimming - reflected through the lenses of distinct religious and cultural beliefs, (de)colonialism and the politics of rest and healing. Whilst I thought the collection could have benefitted from stronger editing & a more focused introduction, I think it’s a great addition to ‘nature writing’ and made me want to read more of this kind of writing.
.
This collection of essays provides new perspectives on nature from women of colour. My favourite essays were the creative, poetic ones - with subjects ranging from sugar and stones to the wind, hills and sea swimming - reflected through the lenses of distinct religious and cultural beliefs, (de)colonialism and the politics of rest and healing. Whilst I thought the collection could have benefitted from stronger editing & a more focused introduction, I think it’s a great addition to ‘nature writing’ and made me want to read more of this kind of writing.
April 28, 2024
A thought provoking read. Especially the essay by Khairani Barokka - an ecostory.
‘This anthology is a gathering of women of colour’s voices scattered across Britain, coming together to write on nature, creating a record of their diverse reflections and experiences. It is a powerful act of writing themselves into conversations on nature.’
‘This anthology is a gathering of women of colour’s voices scattered across Britain, coming together to write on nature, creating a record of their diverse reflections and experiences. It is a powerful act of writing themselves into conversations on nature.’
October 30, 2023
a gorgeous collection - very interesting!!
June 10, 2025
Lovely book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews