Picked this up in my local book store because they have an upcoming event with the author and as a fellow anthropologist I was intrigued by her background. I would say this is more a book about mushrooms with reflections on grief sprinkled in than a book about grief that's also about mushrooms. Nevertheless, it was an interesting and very informative read that definitely made me want to get into mushroom hunting! Her passages about coming to terms with the passing of her husband were very touching and she somehow managed to talk about something so personal and traumatic in a way that made it relatable and insightful even for someone without that experience.

 the book tackles mushrooming much more than mourning—sometimes the transition from the former to the latter is a bit clunky, but i don’t really mind. it’s a very good introduction to mushrooming and i especially found the comparisons between norwegian culture and asian cultures (malaysian and japanese) regarding such things like what tastes and smells good. as well as discussions about hierarchy within the community. 

This is one of the most thoughtful and calming explorations of grief and knowledge I’ve come across. 

A lovely read following one woman's journey out of the depths of grief into some semblance of normal. I really enjoyed reading about her experiences in foraging for mushrooms (it's always nice to read about people who are excited about things), and the combine nicely with her own musings on her own grief.

As someone who is actively grieving right now, I found this an incredibly moving book. I had to put it down a few times just because the descriptions of her experiences of grief were just so relatable.