Mother, Creature, Kin

Thank you NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Mother, Creature, Kin by Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder is incredible. As a student of both literature and conservation, I was intrigued when I first saw this book. Upon completion, I am impressed and moved by Steinauer-Scudder’s masterful prose.

This book, admittedly, set out to accomplish a lot and Steinauer-Scudder managed to accomplish it all. This book disentangles what it means to be a mother from gender roles and confines. To “mother” as a verb is to be conscious of the environment, something we are all capable of. It tackles conflicts between conservation and capital gain, our engagement (and disengagement) with our natural world, and more.

Steinauer-Scudder writes of great ecological tragedies and success. This is framed by the first three years of her daughter, Aspen’s, life. The childlike wonder and consideration for everything that Aspen holds frames the environmental complexities of our world. This framing leads to an, ultimately, hopeful view of our place in this great, ecological marvel we call home.

Steinauer-Scudder also leans upon fellow scholars, writers, ecologists, and mothers of all kinds to help her as she grapples with the problems of our changing planet.

Mother, Creature, Kin is a masterclass in tending to ecological issues while delivering exquisite prose. I think everyone should read this truly triumphant book by Chelsea Steinauer-Scudder.