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On Time and Water

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( 3,628 ratings, 491 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In On Time and Water, Andri Snær Magnason explores the urgent issues of climate change through a blend of science, personal narrative, and myth. He connects global environmental concerns to intimate stories from his own family, making a compelling case for action grounded in both facts and human experience.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you are intrigued by the intersection of science, history, and personal narrative, offering a poetic and deeply human exploration of climate change and its impact on our world.

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A unique approach to climate change that recalls W. G. Sebald.

A unique approach to climate change that recalls W. G. Sebald

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In On Time and Water, Icelandic author and activist Andri Snær Magnason embarks on a deeply reflective and riveting journey, addressing the pressing issues of climate change in an intensely personal yet globally relevant narrative. The book weaves a tapestry of human stories, historical accounts, and scientific research to illustrate the dramatic transformations occurring on our planet. Magnason's narrative begins with his poignant and internationally renowned 'Letter to the Future', an eloquent eulogy for Iceland's Okjokull glacier, which captured the world's attention and highlighted the urgency of climate action.

Magnason's quest is far from a detached scientific analysis; it is a rich blend of memoir and investigative journalism. He traverses the changing landscape of our world, from the melting glaciers in Iceland to the rising seas and shifts in ocean acidity that hark back 50 million years. These environmental changes are not merely abstract concepts; they are tangible transformations with profound implications for all life on Earth. Magnason's storytelling is a masterful integration of personal anecdotes, interviews with renowned figures such as the Dalai Lama, and insights gleaned from ancient myths and family heritage.

At the heart of On Time and Water lies a deep respect for the interconnectedness of human existence and the natural world. Magnason explores the ancient myths of sacred cows, accounts of his ancestors, and deeply personal reflections to create a compelling linkage between our heritage and our shared future. His narrative is both a call to action and a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our environment. The book transcends traditional genres, offering an absorbing mixture of travel, history, science, and philosophy.

Magnason's voice is at once urgent and hopeful, guiding the reader through a profound exploration of climate science while making an emotional appeal for collective responsibility. His ability to articulate the complex realities of climate change in intimate and relatable terms makes On Time and Water a unique and powerful contribution to environmental literature. This work is not only a testament to Magnason's literary prowess but also an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

On Time and Water by Andri Snær Magnason is a moving and heartfelt exploration of the climate crisis, blending memoir, interviews, literature, and science to convey the enormity of environmental destruction and the personal losses it entails. Critics describe it as cerebral, well-told, and unabashedly philosophical, finding it both darkly humorous and grim. The book highlights the delicate connections across generations and species, urging readers to comprehend and address the slow-motion disaster of climate change. Its unique combination of personal essay, history, and myth offers a compelling and thought-provoking perspective on the urgency of preserving our planet.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788165532

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 June 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Edition: Main

Illustration: Integrated b/w photos

Contributors:

  • Translated by Lytton Smith

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 255g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Andri Snaer Magnason, master storyteller and environmental activist, is one of Iceland's most celebrated writers. He has won the Icelandic Literary Prize for fiction, children's fiction and non-fiction and his books have been translated into more than thirty languages. @AndriMagnason

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