The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green is a collection of essays highlighting different observations Green makes about the world around him. They are always random in topic, varying from subjects such as sports games’ chants, Dr. Pepper, and all the way to the Plague, and always end with him giving his personal rating on the subject out of five stars. All essays follow a common theme, however, which is how these observations are made through a human lens. It is necessary to note that Green wrote this book during the COVID-19 quarantine period back in 2020, so there are multiple mentions of it throughout the book. While it was written during this tumultuous time, I feel that it adds an extra dimension to writing.
The main motif throughout the book is trying to find wonder in the mundane things around you, and Green does this effectively by showing you what he notices around him and what he finds notable in the life he lives. It is also semi-autobiographical as he includes anecdotes and stories about his life throughout. He mentions passages about his current place in life, with his family, as well as stories about his childhood and how his growth affects him to this day. However, these are more of a side “plot” as the main focus of each essay is the labeled topic at the start of the chapter. The book itself has no specific order and can be read independently from each other in any given sequence.
This is a good read for someone who is trying to branch out into a non-fiction genre and does not want to read something dense. Green is known for his Young Adult novels, and the easiness of his writing continues in his essay collection. Some of my personal favorites are “ Academic Decathlon,” “Googling Strangers,” and “The World’s Biggest Ball of Paint”. Green is successful in introducing you to the topic of the chapter and then convincing you to also care about it. However, since each essay concludes with a rating out of five stars, not all topics are light-hearted or necessarily positive. I think Green is adept at showcasing all the good things around us, as well as the bad.
I think the fact that the book was written throughout the COVID-19 quarantine period adds an extra element of authenticity to the book as it highlights the random ideas that Green was thinking about during this time of isolation from the world, which he does talk about. He is successful in making the essays relevant and interesting to readers who don’t necessarily seem to be intrigued by the chapter titles at first glance. The writing style is very easy to read and engaging. If you are a fan of audiobooks, I recommend giving this one a try. John Green narrates it himself and it makes it feel more personal. I like the earnestness in Green’s writing, and I think he is successful in making the audience care about what he has to say about the various topics that interest him.
