At Large and at Small: Familiar Essays

I paid full price for this book; I only do that for books I really, really want to read.



The truth is that I was disappointed. I don't know why. Partly, I think, it was because the subjects of the essays were not of particular interest to me. But I think it was primarily that the essays felt forced, not written naturally out of love for the subject, but to meet the requirements of completing a book.

Eight years ago I read Ex Libris by Ms. Fadiman and really enjoyed it, so I was interested in checking out this batch of essays as well. A “familiar essay” is a reflection on a subject held dear by the author. Some of the subjects Ms. Fadiman covers include butterfly collecting, Victorian writers, little known Arctic explorers, coffee, ice cream, and finally, a tragic canoe trip. I found most of it interesting and all of it well written.

‘Collecting Nature' mostly about collecting butterflies, but also about a loss of innocence and natural sciences.

‘The Unfuzzy Lamb' mostly about Charles Lamb, but also about two other writers and family ties and tragedy.

‘Ice Cream'; ice cream is not a favorite of mine, but I enjoy culinary information, history, science.

‘Night Owl' about Larks and Owls and differing preferences for differing sleep patterns. I love this topic. There's also the mention of Linnaeus' flower clock.

‘Procrustean and the culture wars' introduced me to Greek lore I was unfamiliar with, but ideas that I have had before.

‘Coleridge the Runaway'

‘Mail' I love letter writing.

‘Moving' I enjoyed how she described her experience of New York (city).

‘A Piece of Cotton' about the flag after 9/11 which really resonated with me.

‘The Arctic Hedonist' about one of her favorite arctic explorers, who takes a friendlier view of the icy climes. She also speaks briefly of degrees of separation and through two degrees (or so) she has shaken hands with him. This amused me as my sweetheart said that through a few degrees (2 or 3) I have shaken hands with former French president Sarkozy.

‘Coffee' I adore coffee and coffee culture. I also have a respect for caffeine.

‘Under Water' surprised me and touched me in a way that I value.