Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
Noted fiction author Barbara Kingsolver takes a non-fiction tact in her most recent book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and documents her family move to a farm in rural Appalachia and attempt to grow all their own food for an entire year. The book touches on issues ranging from food sustainability, food networks, and how the food choices of just one family can impact the local food system.
Kingsolver attempts to document the attempt to eat completely local food for an entire year, and does it in a collaborative effort with her family. One of the unique features of the book is the inclusion of her spouse and children in the writing process. In each chapter, her husband Steven Hopp adds poignant commentary about social and environmental issues in short diary entries, and her teenage daughter Camille integrates personal anecdotes, canning ideas and seasonal produce recipes. Having each family member (with the exception of her grade school daughter) contribute to the writing process gives the book a more intimate, personal feel and it demonstrates the cohesiveness of their family as they strive toward their common goal.
