Once upon a time I had the absolute joy of seeing Robin Wall Kimmerer speak at a fundraiser for an environmental nonprofit. Though I had yet to read her bestseller Braiding Sweetgrass, I would later discover that her remarks were just like her writing— an eloquent balance of environmental science and empathy. It was profoundly moving, as is today’s #spellbooksaturday feature…
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
As Indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth—its abundance of sweet, juicy berries—to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.”
(source: bookshop.org)
I eagerly (greedily?) devoured this book in an evening, though I’m certain there will be a second, slower reading in my future. Kimmerer’s writing feels incredibly relevant, even critically important, and the emotional and intellectual richness of this work far exceeds its brevity. Like the eponymous berry, it contains multitudes in its humble form.
Have you read The Serviceberry? What were your thoughts? Share in the comments!
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