MUSHROOM AT THE END OF THE WOR

This review is in part a response to another review - one I feel is unfairly critical (I have no problem with critical - but you be the judge. The book is thoughtful, complex in parts, but also inspirational in its attempt to follow traces, processes and enactments. It is uncomfortable because simple things suddenly become complicated from the picking of mushrooms, to Darwinism, unitary thinking, freedom, capitalism and much more. I don’t agree with all of the analysis / enactment of the capita but then I assume the author wants us to converse, engage, critique and think. It’s not a book to read in a hurry. Take your time. Read other things in between and contrast the ideas. By all means disagree, but don’t denigrate the scholarship. It is a wonderful and thorough piece of work - storytelling worth an ear

The book expands among practices of mushroom picking within communities, precarious households, alone at four regions capitalised in various speeds. Tsing guides us through small stories, well-cared stories of individuals,couples, families, communities routing to and around matsutake, an exciting species originating from Japan, but thriving in collapsing environments.

If you are looking for an ethnographic study it is okay, if you are expecting to learn something about new possibilities in capitalist ruins- definitely go for another book - there are heaps better out there. This book is too overrated at the moment.

This is really worth the read. I highly recommend it.

Excellent book. Many new & exciting insights!