Deceptive title
The problem with Camille T. Dungy’s book “Soil: the story of a black mother’s garden” is the title itself. I expected to hear about a garden because that’s my habit when I work outside in the landscape. I put on my bluetooth headset and I listen to almost any audiobook about trees, gardens or landscaping.
A few hours into the book I was getting a lesson on black history which isn’t what I paid for. I really wanted to hear about Dungy’s garden. Not that I’m an expert on black history; it just wasn’t what I expected. Now, at this point I confess to trying to return this title but Audible wouldn’t allow it because I paid cash. If you use credits, you can return titles. Now what? I dug in and finished the book, six hours at 1.5 speed.
My takeaway
Here’s what I learned from the book: there are black garden clubs because black people don’t feel safe in regular gardens. That’s terrible. I had no idea this was a thing. I seems strange. Not feeling safe in a garden sounds awful.
Another pandemic book
This book is also another title born during the pandemic lock down. People stayed home and while some self-medicated, others penned new books like this one. As I listened to black history lessons, I felt tricked into buying this book. Where was the soil?
We quickly find out that Dungy is doing extremely well. She’s a poet and professor, owns a home and is a happily married mother. Good for her. All people need good support and encouragement to reach their potential. Black slaves obviously didn’t get any.
Again, I’m super happy for Dungy and young black readers will find her book inspiring. It just isn’t what I signed up for. So read the book description very carefully before buying the book. If you’re not black and expect to hear details about a black mother’s garden, you might be disappointed. Of course, I believe that there is a lesson in every book but this one wasn’t what I wanted or expected. 2-3 stars out of 5.
