Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Tenth Anniversary Edition - by Barbara Kingsolver & Camille Kingsolver & Steven L Hopp & Lily Hopp Kingsolver

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"A profound, graceful, and literary work of philosophy and economics, well tempered for our times, and yet timeless. . . . It will change the way you look at the food you put into your body. Which is to say, it can change who you are." -- Boston Globe

From acclaimed author Barbara Kingsolver--recipient of numerous literary awards including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Humanities Medal, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguish Contribution to American Letters, a captivating tale that describes her family's adventure as they move to a farm in southern Appalachia and realign their lives with the local food chain

Since its publication more than a decade ago, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle has riveted readers with its blend of memoir and journalistic investigation. Updated with original pieces from the entire Kingsolver clan, this commemorative edition explores how the family's original project has been carried forward through the years.

When Kingsolver and her family moved from suburban Arizona to rural Appalachia, they took on a new challenge: to spend a year eating a locally-produced diet, paying close attention to the provenance of all they consumed. Concerned about the environmental, social, and physical costs of American food culture, they hoped to recover what Kingsolver considers our nation's lost appreciation for farms and the natural processes of food production. Since 2007, their scheme has evolved enormously. Kingsolver's husband, Steven, discusses how the project grew into a farm-to-table restaurant and community development project training young farmers in their area to move into sustainable food production. Camille Kingsolver writes about her decision to move back to a rural area after college, and how she and her husband incorporate their food values in their lives as they begin their new family. Lily Kingsolver writes about how growing up on a farm, in touch with natural processes and food chains, has shaped her life as a future environmental scientist. And Barbara writes about their sheep, and how they grew into her second vocation as a fiber artist, and reports on the enormous response they've received from other home-growers and local-food devotees.

With Americans' ever-growing concern over an agricultural establishment that negatively affects our health and environment, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a modern classic that will endure for years to come.

Review Quotes

"Charming, zestful, funny and poetic...This is a serious book about important problems...The authors of ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE...add three powerful voices...to the swelling chorus of concern about the food we grow, buy and eat." - Washington Post Book World

"Cogent and illuminating...There are many ways for a writer to tell you to eat your vegetables...Barbara Kingsolver's way is both folksy and smart...Without sentimentality, this book captures the pulse of the farm and the deep gratification it provides, as well as the intrinsic humor of the situation." - Janet Maslin, New York Times

"Charming...Literary magic...If you love the narrative voice of Barbara Kingsolver, you will be thrilled by her newest book...ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE is a fervent reminder of truths we blithely ignore." - Houston Chronicle

"A hybrid book...part memoir...part call to action, part education, part recipe collection...ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE makes an important contribution to the chorus of voices calling for change." - Chicago Tribune

"It's a lovely book. One wants with all one's heart to sit with [Kingsolver] on the porch at the end of the day and shell peas." - Los Angeles Times

"A profound, graceful, and literary work of philosophy and economics, well tempered for our times, and yet timeless....It will change the way you enter a grocery store, will change the way you look at the food you put into your body. Which is to say, It can change who you are." - Boston Globe