Review: The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
The Anthropocene Reviewed is John Green's first published work of nonfiction; in it, Green reviews 'different facets of the human-centered planet on a five-star scale' including topics as varied as 'our capacity for wonder,' Diet Dr. Pepper, sunsets, Auld Lang Syne, and plague. But the reviews are really about John Green's life. They are about the people and art that he loves, what makes him uncomfortable or trepidatious, and how he personally sees the world.
In the spirit of fully bringing one's self to a review, here is my context around John Green. I have probably consumed something at least in part by him every week of my life since I was in the 7th grade in 2007. Probably multiple times a week. I have been watching his YouTube videos and reading his books, and listening to his podcasts (including the one that this book shares a title and some content with) for literally half of my life. The 'third thing' I have in common with my best friend has been vlogbrothers for most of our 16-year friendship. I am exceedingly familiar with his body of public work because it has been a part of my brain for 14 years.
Coming from this place of familiarity, reading The Anthropocene Reviewed felt often like I was rereading an old favorite, which was a wonderful reading experience. This is not to say that if you have already listened to the podcast form of this book there is nothing new, there certainly are new facets of the book, and I really loved them when I encountered them.
The only drawback to the familiarity is I want to convey how delightful the original reading experience is, and I kind of feel like I had that the first time I listened to the podcast. I have tried to get most of my friends to listen to the podcast and have made everyone who has gone on a road trip or long drive with me listen to at least one episode. I am reasonably certain that had I not listened to the podcast already, I still would have fallen deeply into this book.
I genuinely think that folks who encounter this book without heavy John Green knowledge will be just as able to adore this book as people who are entrenched. The way Green writes in this book is so vulnerable and reflective; you are given a door into his world through the item being talked about and through the emotion Green brings to each story. Maybe you don't care about scratch and sniff stickers, but Green tells you how the same technology gave you time-release medication and uses the stickers to talk about how he got through childhood trauma. Or maybe you don't like sports, or soccer, the sport of choice for the author; Green constructs a narrative around the sport and the people involved that will make you care about the outcome of something that you had never heard of ten minutes earlier.
This book does such an excellent job eliciting emotion. I alternated between reading the story and listening to it and found both experiences absolutely wonderful. I listened to the introduction and first chapter on my way to pick up the book, and I luckily arrived at the story just as the first story was ending because the story made me cry so heavily that I really could not have continued to drive. The book made me cry many times, but it also made me pause to think, and it made me laugh out loud. I had to switch to the physical book to make notes in the margins or highlight a line I really loved.
One thing that made this book interesting for me is that it is the first book that is, at least in part, very much grappling with COVID-19. Green mentions that he wrote most of the book during the pandemic; much of the book doesn't mention it more than just in passing, but there are few stories explicitly about Green personally grappling with how to deal with both the last year and the current moment. I am sure many books will talk about this period, scientific and literary and memoir and I assume I will be comparing them all to this reading experience. Green thoughtfully and honestly presents his fears about the pandemic, his sadness, and lack of control that have affected us all during this time.
I loved the way Green wrote about the people he loves. About his wife, children, brother, parents, friends, and mentors. Each story that brings in other people is done with so much care and love directed towards the subject. He does a tremendous job of sharing the way he feels about these people, about how important they are to his life, about how they have shaped him as a person. Most of the times I cried in this book was at something tender and sweet about a person Green loves.
I clearly recommend this book, both to long-time fans and new folks. If you really love vulnerable memoir, or you want to read about how art and literature and people all combine to shape each other and the world, or you just think the idea of reading some guy rate Canada Geese, viral meningitis, and the hot dog eating contest is funny I would urge you to read this book. It is also a book that I think is pretty perfect as a gift. I assume I will be wrapping multiple copies for others at various points to give as gifts. I give The Anthropocene Reviewed five stars.
