Synopsis:

Inspired by forests, trees, leaves, roots, and seeds, The Language of A Rewilding of Literature and Landscape invites readers to discover an unexpected and imaginative language to better read and write the natural world around us and reclaim our relationship with it. In this gorgeously illustrated and deeply thoughtful collection, Katie Holten gifts readers her tree alphabet and uses it to masterfully translate and illuminate beloved lost and new, original writing in praise of the natural world. With an introduction from Ross Gay, and featuring writings from over fifty contributors including Ursula K. Le Guin, Ada Limón, Robert Macfarlane, Zadie Smith, Radiohead, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, James Gleick, Elizabeth Kolbert, Plato, and Robin Wall Kimmerer, Holten illustrates each selection with an abiding love and reverence for the magic of trees. She guides readers on a journey from creation myths and cave paintings to the death of a 3,500-year-old cypress tree, from Tree Clocks in Mongolia and forest fragments in the Amazon to the language of fossil poetry, unearthing a new way to see the natural beauty all around us and an urgent reminder of what could happen if we allow it to slip away. The Language of Trees considers our relationship with literature and landscape, resulting in an astonishing fusion of storytelling and art and a deeply beautiful celebration of trees through the ages.

Review:

A beautiful book and an absolutely wonderful reading experience, The Language of Trees is a “celebration of trees and our entangled relationship with them.”

I am sure it’s no secret to you all that I deeply love the natural world. Trees especially have always been something I’m drawn to, and reading this book just made me love them more.

We have over sixty pieces of writing from people within the conservation, writing and activism worlds, with such varied experiences, memories and thoughts. From Robin Wall Kimmerer to Ursula K. Le Guin, to Plato, there are so many different voices.
Through the pages, we encounter quotes, memories, songs, recipes and science, with every piece causing us to think, learn and admire these incredible living beings.

What sets this apart from a simple collection of essays is Holten’s Tree Alphabet. For each new piece, we have a page printed with trees that represent the letters, ranging from a few sparse stands of trees for a quote to entire forests that blot out the cream paper beneath.

Extra love from me also for the printing. Every time I pick this book up I cannot resist tipping the cover to let light dance on the foiling, especially on the roots and I love the fact that the ink used for the printing is green! Little touches like this just made the whole thing extra special.

Thank you so much to @elliottandthompson for sending this gem my way.