Wednesday, February 1, 2017
LAB GIRL Hope Jahren
All B&B's were present today (except Mary; Hi Z!), as we discussed Hope Jahren's memoir. There were many positive comments about the book; such as her ability to write, even poetically, in a style very different from the technical papers of which she is accustomed. She skillfully intertwined "scientific" chapters, which were sometimes metaphoric in nature (and aimed at the lay person), with a "spirited" telling of a not-so-ordianary life.
One of the scientists in our group had concerns about how Ms. Jahren used this forum to present herself as a woman in a male-dominated field. She found it questionable as to whether or not her story helped or "hurt" the field. And, the fact that the author did not fully flesh out how her personal history affected her work, and therefore, her actions.
From there, opinions diversified. Some agreed that the author was a little (or a lot) "crazy", especially her descriptions of hastily planned field trips, obsessive attention to a project in her lab, and her unique relationship with Bill. And, there were even questions about whether or not she embellished some of the wilder episodes of her life, for the sake of enhancing the reading experience (and selling books??).
Others thought that this was a true account of someone who, in spite of many barriers; showed grit, humor, and honesty in telling her story. After all, aren't we all a little weird...?
I will leave it at that; I really did not want to over-interpret, especially since my note-taking was so sketchy. Please feel free to add your two cents!!
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Not being a scientist, and being a bit of an observer and a lover of nature, I was fascinated with this book. Hope’s family background with the silent Swede parents and her longing to be a boy and her fascination with the science lab of her father’s, drew me in and gave me empathy for her. I loved how she wove the chapters of scientific information about trees in with the more personal ones about her life, her lab, and her friend, Bill.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, she was manic and a bit crazy, but in such an open and honest and loving way. I loved her passion, her devotion as a friend, and her openness to expose herself. It didn’t bother me that she left huge gaps in her life, things for me to wonder about. Instead it enhanced the feeling of the book. It was a mosaic of the wonders of the natural world and Hope’s life which was so intertwined with science and her friend and partner, Bill. Two flawed people, but who of us are not flawed. She was so beautifully honest in telling the rather chilling truth of her manic/depressive illness. I loved her for her honesty. And I was brought to tears by her gently questioning Bill about his childhood and urging and getting him to dance. A friendship anyone could only hope to have.
I was also captivated by her more scientific chapters. I will never look at a tree the same way. The fact that a maple tree can have 35 pounds of leaves and that is enough sucrose to make 3 pecan pies sort of sticks in ones mind. And that a vine can grow a foot in a day. (I would imagine that is somewhere in the south). And trees signaling to each other? How wonderful is that thought. She brought the natural world to life for me. She is an amazing innovator. Thanks for this pick, Annie. It is one I would have likely missed and one I thoroughly enjoyed.