Very unique voice. Funny and honest. Whether she’s writing about her childhood, colonialism, or gardening, her words cut straight to the core.

Reading this felt like a great conversation with someone so much smarter than me. Having only read her work in the New Yorker, this was a great entry point. Reminds me what good nonfiction can do—move us, challenge us, and change how we see the world.

Thank you Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own!

this book consist of deeply personal collection of nonfiction that showcases the evolution of one of today’s most original literary voices. spanning from her early days at The Village Voice to her refined work at The New Yorker, this collection offers a fascinating glimpse into Kincaid’s thoughts, experiences, and sharp perspective on the world. her writing is fearless—she never holds back. whether she’s recounting her Antiguan upbringing, dissecting colonialism, or finding deeper meaning in gardening, her prose is always insightful and unapologetically honest. she has an incredible way of making personal reflections feel universal, challenging readers to question power, identity, and history in ways they might not have before.

one of the most compelling things about poems is the author's distinct voice. she writes with wit, humor, and precision, effortlessly weaving the personal with the political. Her essays aren’t just thought-provoking—they’re alive with energy, refusing to conform to traditional expectations. her take on gardening, for instance, isn’t just about plants; it’s about colonization, control, and the ways history continues to shape the present. this collection also highlights the author's literary evolution, showing how her writing has deepened over the years while retaining its signature edge. fans of her fiction will appreciate the lyrical, sharp style, while newcomers will find this an exciting entry point into her work. It’s intimate yet unsentimental, critical yet full of depth.

this book is for anyone who loves essays that challenge and inspire. whether you’re a longtime Kincaid fan or discovering her for the first time, this collection is a testament to her brilliance, originality, and lasting influence in the literary world.

4 stars!