Casey’s Reviews

The Anthropocene Reviewed, Reviewed

Rereading John Green’s Essay Collection

I began doing #ReviewdayTuesday in response to a Vlogbrothers’ video, and in my first review for this revival, I wrote about Hank Green’s debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. This week, I’ve chosen to review a book which rekindled my love for reviews, written by the other Green brother — arguably the more famous of the two, John Green.

John Green’s The Anthropocene Reviewed is a collection of personal essays that explore a wide range of topics, from the act of Googling strangers to the beauty of sunsets, with the underlying theme of humanity’s impact on the world we live in. It is based on a podcast of the same name, the premise of which is: “John Green reviews facets of our human-centered planet on a five-star scale.”

Here is a list of just some of the things John reviews: Diet Dr Pepper, the cave paintings at Lascaux, Monopoly, the Internet, Super Mario Kart, the Notes app, “Auld Lang Syne,” and (fittingly for a book written at least partially during the COVID-19 pandemic) plague.

This first time I read The Anthropocene Reviewed, I was struck by just how diverse the topics were. During my second reading, I noticed the threads being pulled through the book that link these topics, and the overarching framework that John has woven so skillfully that it provides almost invisible support for all the essays in the collection, creating a sense of cohesiveness.

Written in John’s signature style, each of the reviews combine anecdotes, historical research, and philosophical speculation into thoughtful and engaging narratives. John is insightful and witty, able to tackle complex topics with clear and accessible language that makes his reviews engaging for a wide range of readers.

One of the strengths of The Anthropocene Reviewed is its diversity of subjects. While the book is primarily concerned with the impact of humans on the environment, it also covers a wide range of other topics, from pop culture to personal memoir. This variety keeps the book fresh throughout, and allows Green to explore the complexity of the human experience.

Another notable aspect of the book is John’s sense of humor. While the topics he covers can be serious and even grim, he injects lightheartedness and humor into his writing that keeps the book from feeling heavy. He is also not afraid to use self-deprecating humor to make himself relatable to his readers.

In fact, every review brings an aspect of John’s personality into focus. For example, on the page opposite his signature in the signed edition of the book, John writes,

On the opposite page, you’ll find an autograph — mine, to be exact — which I signed with some kind of Sharpie while sitting on the edge of the couch in my basement. This sheet of paper was then bound into your copy of The Anthropocene Reviewed. I wanted to sign this book for you in the hopes that it might give you the same little moment of joy that I always feel when I come across a signed book.

An autograph doesn’t mean much, I guess. It’s just a scribble on a page. (An utterly illegible scribble in my case.) But it’s the only way I know how to say thank you. Thank you for giving this book a seat at the table in your life.

I give autographs three and a half stars.

John’s commitment to the bit can’t be overstated. He even reviews the copyright page in tiny print at the bottom of the copyright page itself, a place where many readers are likely to miss it.

This sort of clever attention to detail makes the book feel like an inside joke with an old friend. Deliciously re-readable, this book will have a space on my shelf for the foreseeable future.

Overall, The Anthropocene Reviewed is a lovely and thought-provoking book that explores the human experience and our impact on the world around us with sensitivity, seriousness, humour, and wisdom. It is a testament to John’s skill as a writer and his ability to engage with complex topics in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. Whether you’re a fan of John Green’s previous work, including his YA novels and Vlogbrothers channel, or simply interested in exploring the relationship between humans and the planet, The Anthropocene Reviewed is a must-read.

I give The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a human-centered planet by John Green five stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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