THE COMFORT OF CROWS

Serene reflections on the changes of the seasons.

In her third book of essays, following Late Migrations and Graceland, At Last, Renkl turns her attention to her own backyard. In 52 chapters, she contemplates the changes that take place in the wild over the course of the four seasons. Although she views her life as a “linear narrative,” she experiences the natural world as a “repeating pattern.” Rather than writing about a single year, Renkl gathers bits from across several years, and offers insightful observations related to those repetitions. By immersing herself in the natural world, the author maintains that she is able to cope with the toxic politics of today’s world—not to hide, but to achieve balance. Particularly during the early days of the pandemic, she found that while TV news was “full of terror,” the trees were “full of music” from blue jays, chickadees, and redbirds. One polarizing topic that Renkl cannot avoid by a trip outdoors is climate change. Throughout, she discusses the shifts she witnessed in nature as a result, including the reduction in the bee population. This is one reason she does not use poisonous chemicals on her lawn and prefers planting wildflowers to maintaining a manicured landscape. “I can’t change Americans’ love affair with poison, and I can’t solve the problems of climate change,” she writes, “but I can plant a garden.” Among the touching and relatable moments that nature lovers will appreciate are Renkl’s memories of catching tadpoles in spring with her brother as a child in Alabama, the sound of summer thunderstorms and cicadas, and the unparalleled beauty of autumn light, “the loveliest light there is.” Despite the death that comes with winter, which she once considered her least favorite season, she finds comfort that there “will always be a resurrection.”

A welcome escape from the hectic world.