Beautifully sad meditation on grief and finding refuge in landscapes both exterior (Great Salt Lake, Great Basin) and interior (human heart and mind) in the midst of changes and tragedies both personal and sweeping in scale.

The author takes the reader on a profound journey, exploring the depths of grief and the solace that can be found in the natural world. The descriptions of the Great Salt Lake and the Great Basin are vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a harsh yet beautiful landscape.

However, there are a couple of minor quibbles. There are a fair number of unnecessary commas in the text, which can sometimes disrupt the flow. Additionally, in one section, it seems like TTW is overly-romanticizing Fremont and Anasazi cultures.

On a similar note, a larger issue is the absence of any mention beyond the surface level of TTW's family being some of the original settler colonialists in the Salt Lake Valley. This would have added another level of nuance to the text and made her proclamations of deep familial ties to the land more believable.

Nonetheless, this was a beautiful, well-written story that will stay with me for some time. Reading it while the Great Salt Lake water levels continue to decline was thought-provoking and chilling at times. It definitely made me reflect on the impact of human actions on the environment and the importance of finding refuge in nature.

After reading this book, I definitely need a palate cleanser or two. It was a heavy read, but one that was well worth the effort.

I absolutely adored this book.

It is a fascinating blend of in-depth environmental science, with a particular emphasis on birds, and a touching family memoir that details the author's upbringing in a Mormon family along the shores of the Great Salt Lake.

The book places a strong focus on the government bomb testing that took place in the region, which had a profound impact on the author's family, as there were many cases of cancer among them.

Terry Tempest Williams has an astonishing ability to vividly describe the landscape and the inherent mystical qualities within it.

Her words paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind, allowing them to truly experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in environmental science, family history, or simply a beautifully written story.

This was truly exquisite.

It is a profound and meditative exploration that delves deep into the themes of love, family, loss, faith, grace, and nature. Williams beautifully works through her mother's illness, sharing her innermost feelings and thoughts as she witnesses the changes in the natural world around her due to the Great Salt Lake floods.

Nature serves as a clear anchor point for her faith and her perspective on the world, not only for herself but also for her family. The relationships depicted in this book, such as those between siblings, mother/daughter, grandmother/granddaughter, and husband/wife, all feel incredibly genuine.

Under stress, people often say things they may not fully mean, yet they still love each other deeply. They believe in the best intentions of one another and allow for imperfection, understanding that we are all perfectly flawed.

There were numerous moments in this book where I found myself stopping and marking passages because they seemed to speak directly to my heart. It is such a moving read, filled with an abundance of power and grace. It would无疑 be an excellent choice to read with a group or a friend and engage in a meaningful discussion.

Death is an inevitable part of life. While the idea of dying may seem scary to many, it is important to understand that dying itself does not cause suffering. It is our resistance to dying that often leads to pain and distress.

When we resist the natural process of dying, we may hold onto hope that we can avoid it or postpone it indefinitely. This can cause us to experience anxiety, fear, and a sense of powerlessness. We may also struggle to come to terms with our mortality and the fact that our time on earth is limited.

However, if we can learn to accept the inevitability of dying and let go of our resistance, we may be able to experience a more peaceful and gentle transition. This does not mean that we should give up on life or stop fighting for our health and well-being. It simply means that we should approach the end of our lives with grace and dignity, and focus on making the most of the time that we have left.

In conclusion, dying does not have to be a source of suffering. By learning to accept our mortality and let go of our resistance, we can find peace and meaning in the face of death. Dying doesn't cause suffering. Resistance to dying does.

For a long time, a book hadn't made my tears well up with any of its passages. This is a book with a very well-thought-out structure, where birds and their interpretation hold great significance.

As a lover of birds, I have felt deeply challenged by the atmosphere it describes. I wish they were Iberian birds and I could represent them 100% in my mind, but that's the way it is since the author is from Utah. Almost all the bird-related narrative has been more engraved in my mind than the family part, although the latter is quite intense, especially as the book progresses and that's where my sobbing appears.

I will definitely read it again. It's a duel before death occurs.

Cali finally finishes a book in Moab. It's a remarkable achievement for her.

Moab is a beautiful and inspiring place, and perhaps it provided the perfect backdrop for Cali to complete her literary work.

The fact that she loves birds with such passion, as indicated by her statement "I just love birds <3", might also have influenced her writing in some way.

Maybe the sight of birds soaring through the sky or chirping in the trees added a touch of magic and wonder to her story.

Whatever the case may be, Cali's accomplishment is值得庆祝.

Finishing a book is no easy feat, and it takes a great deal of dedication, hard work, and creativity.

We can only imagine the joy and satisfaction she must feel now that her book is complete.

Perhaps it will be published and shared with the world, allowing others to experience the beauty and inspiration that Cali found in Moab and in her love for birds.

"Peace is the perspective found in patterns" (29), a profound quote from Terry Tempest Williams' Refuge. This paper undertakes a close reading of the chapters BALD EAGLES, along with the preceding CANADA GEESE and the following RED-SHAFTED FLICKER, to interpret this quote. It aims to answer questions regarding human psychology, thought processes, and the relationship with nature.

In CANADA GEESE, Terry's mother, Diane, changes her perspective on a monk's life after being diagnosed with cancer. She realizes that focusing on oneself, like a monk does through religion, can lead to peace. The monk's lifestyle aligns with that of wild geese, whose migration ends in silence. However, human life is often filled with noise and attempts to go against nature.

The BALD EAGLES chapter links to the previous one through the Mormon religion, which, like many others, has a patterned practice. Terry feels the presence of angels through praying during her mother's illness. The bald eagles, with their organized life, contrast with Terry and her mother's sometimes unplanned lives. This chapter also reveals the typical human psychology of denial when facing tough facts like cancer.

In RED-SHAFTED FLICKER, the story progresses with the end of denial and acceptance. Diane's condition worsens, and the family gathers for Christmas Eve, which becomes a moment of acceptance. The well-organized holiday aligns with the patterns in nature and resonates with the quote about peace. Overall, these three chapters show the development of themes and ideas, highlighting the importance of finding peace in patterns.

MOVED by her writing.

Wow, I was truly amazed by the power of her words. I found myself wondering why it had taken me such a long time to explore anything written by Williams.

However, as I neared the end of the piece, a realization dawned on me. She was the author of an essay that I had read way back in high school.

That particular essay had had a profound impact on me. It was the very thing that had sparked my desire to write and had stayed with me all these years.

I still think about it often, and it serves as a constant source of inspiration.

It's truly magical how a single piece of writing can have such a lasting effect.

Williams' work has once again shown me the beauty and importance of the written word.

I can't wait to discover more of her writings and be moved by them in the same way.

This is a truly captivating piece of writing.

The author's decision to include the complex mix of emotions she felt while watching her mother battle cancer makes it an extremely engaging read.

Initially, I was a bit skeptical,担心 the book might be overly sentimental for my taste. However, all of her observations come across as genuine and sincere, as she humbly searches for an understanding of our chaotic world.

I happened to read this book while a friend was in the final stages of cancer, and I found myself constantly drawn back to it.

It doesn't offer a one-size-fits-all way to feel, but rather documents the ups and downs of watching that battle, validating the confusion that anyone experiences when a loved one goes through such an ordeal.

What makes the book truly artful is the parallels it draws to the natural world.

The changes that Tempest Williams was witnessing in the landscape and ecology at the time add another layer of depth.

It's not an environmentalist argument per se, but rather a recognition that watching changes in the landscape, whether it's the one we live in or the one within our family, is difficult to accept.

The emotions we feel during these changes deserve to be acknowledged for what they are, with the understanding that we will eventually come to terms with the changed world, only to be frightened again when it refuses to stay in the comfortable present state.

This book is a powerful exploration of the human experience and the inevitable changes that come our way.

Beautiful and heartbreaking.

This book is truly a masterpiece that combines beauty and sadness in the most profound way.

Some parts of it really hit close to home, making me feel as if the author had somehow peeked into the deepest corners of my own life.

The vivid descriptions and emotional storytelling draw the reader in and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

It's a book that makes you think, feel, and question.

Each page is filled with words that have the power to move you and leave a lasting impression.

Whether it's the beautiful prose or the heartbreaking情节, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story.

It will touch your heart and make you appreciate the beauty and sadness that life has to offer.

A beautiful story that intricately weaves together a family's arduous struggle with cancer and the fascinating observations of some of the birds in Utah. It is a truly thoughtful and well-written piece. There is an interesting side note to this. After we read this in a high school English class, this book was astonishingly banned from my school's English classes. This came about after some Mormon families lodged complaints against it. However, I vividly remember that I didn't perceive it to be anti-Mormon at all. It seems rather strange that such a wonderful and thought-provoking book could face such a fate. It makes one wonder about the reasons behind the complaints and the decision to ban it. Perhaps there were some misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Nevertheless, it is a pity that this book is no longer available for students to read and appreciate in the English classes of my school.

This book was far too personal for me to openly discuss in detail.

It holds a special place within my heart, and the emotions it evokes are deeply profound.

However, I do feel compelled to share this much: if you have even the slightest interest in women's studies, nature studies, or Mormon studies memoirs, I highly recommend that you seek out a copy of this book.

It offers a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge and insights that are truly captivating.

You may be surprised by how much you can learn and how deeply it can touch your soul.

So, don't hesitate. Take the time to discover this remarkable book and embark on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

You won't be disappointed.