We only have one Earth. The environment that surrounds us all is at threat, and we as humans need to act fast. This is common knowledge, but sadly there are many issues that are getting in the way of something we should all be working on. Climate change book Alien Places by Atul Kumar focuses on this.
***I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review***
Synopsis
“Atul Kumar and a mysterious alien visitor swiftly rename the planet as ‘Ocean’, then romp through 10 places around the world in a topsy-turvy, student-turns-teacher, philosophical learning adventure. Songs, quotes, films, fables and fun are strategies used by Atul and the alien to solve the environmental and existential challenges faced by humanity and wildlife on Ocean. Get ready to be plonked outside of the human echo chamber, as you discover new insights and clear solutions.”
(Taken from Amazon)
My Review
Alien Places is a really original book within the science and environment genre. It’s a climate change book with a difference, and that difference is a fictional alien that gradually poses solutions to our race’s over-tendencies to prioritise things we really shouldn’t, and let vested interests get in the way of what’s best for us long-term. It works really well, and I loved reading something so wildly different.
It’s actually a great concept, and perhaps more engaging for those that don’t know much about the environment, or don’t tend to read non-fiction books. Both fiction and non-fiction elements support each other, and Kumar’s easy, humorous writing style makes it such an enjoyable and entertaining read (despite the topic). It read as intelligent and comprehensive, yet not dry or overwhelming.
Although the humour ran through the entire book it gradually became more and more foreboding. There are three sections, with the final one so poignant and emotive that it left quite an impression on me. There is something quite dark about the way the book goes but it has to get its message across. Alien Places portrays a stark message to humanity in a way that should get its readers to listen. Climate change isn’t something we can um and ah about – we have to act now.
Despite the despair I felt around how bad the situation is, Kumar doesn’t leave his readers in a black hole of eco-anxiety. Far from it, as the book wraps up positively and contains so many things throughout that we can work on. The message is clear for the environment but I also took so many things from it – to think of society with our individual acts, and consider the benefits of what I do before I do it. I even learnt a new word, “ecocide”, which refers to extensive damage of the environment by a species that leads to their own demise (cheerful, I know, but it’s happening!).
As for the other aspects of the book, I mostly enjoyed how it been stylised and formatted. Kumar included not only the main text but also a series of songs and films that relate to his cause. He detailed these to show both the alien and the audience aspects of humanity that we should be aware of, and I loved this feature. I also love the cover, which is simple but works well. The only thing I didn’t like was the text layout. I would have liked better spacing between sections in chapters to split the bulk of text up. This isn’t something that put me off the book or gave me a negative reading experience though.
Final Thoughts
Even if you’re a climate change warrior then there’s still something to learn from Alien Places by Atul Kumar. If you’re far from it then it’s an essential read in my eyes. It’s a climate change book that’s a bit different, and will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Both descriptive and solution-focused, it’s a book we all need to read and understand if we want to move forward.
Purchase Links
If you’d like to purchase a copy of Alien Places then you can do so here:
Alien Places by Atul Kumar – Amazon UK
Alien Places by Atul Kumar – Amazon US
Author Bio
“I have 20 years of experience in the environmental sector, a MSc with distinction in Environmental Management, and a 1st class BA in Geography.
I work as a fundraising consultant for environmental charities, as well as being a writer, presenter, podcaster, campaigner, actor and voiceover artist.”
(Taken from author’s website)
Do you think that as a society as need to be viewing our problems from a different perspective? What do you think of Atul Kumar’s method within his book? Share you thoughts below, and make sure to like and pin! You can read some of my other non-fiction book reviews here:
Food Waste Philosophy – Shane Jordan
The Year Of Simple Living – Stephanie Parrell
Into Adventure And Sunshine – Ian M. Packham
Alien Places seems like such a fascinating book. I’m working on being more sustainable in all aspect of my life but I have lot to learn still. Thanks for sharing!
That’s great – I’m the same here. Doing what I can but very open to new techniques!
Ooh this sounds so interesting! I love any books that take a different perspective on topical issues so this sounds like my kind of read. Thanks so much for sharing your review ☺️
Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, this is a really original one 🙂
I’ve never read a fiction book related to Climate Change before but this sounds so interesting! I like how humour is incorporated into it and that you aren’t left at the end with anxiety like many other things. Thanks for sharing this book and your thoughts Hannah!
I haven’t read many fiction and non-fiction blends at all if I’m honest, but I loved it!
Really interesting review. I’ve not heard of a book like this before so you bet I’ll be bookmarking this link and buying it in the future! I really like that authors and musicians are raising awareness of the issues facing the environment in their work.
Thank you! And same here – it needs as much exposure as it can get so people start to listen.
I really need to start reading more books about climate change and the environment rather than just sticking to Internet articles! This sounds like a great place to start – thank you for sharing!
Me too if I’m honest – they are so much more in-depth and I think can make a real impact on the readers.
I am far from a climate change warrior and I hate myself for it. I really want to learn more (arguably now is a really good time to do so). So thank you for this recommendations. It certainly sounds like a different type of read but one that so many of us could benefit from!
Definitely! I really did enjoy it and it emphasised how we must work together as a society. Reminded me that I’m not just an individual – I’m part of a greater whole, too.
Sounds like a really interesting book! I have a degree in Environmental Management myself so this sounds right up my alley. Thanks for sharing.
Oh I bet you’d love this one then!
This was ging to be my spring for getting greener-organic recycling, comosting, even in the office, walking whenever and as much as possible and leaving y car whenever I could. The health crisis has sucked my progress-when it should be easier.
Oh same here! There is still so much we can do, I think we just have to be a little bit cleverer about it at the moment. My mass recycling has had to be postponed (my utility room basically is a recycling centre at the moment as I can’t shift it) but I’ve been focusing on things like better use of food waste instead. I guess we’re all travelling less, which is a good thing!
This is such a good topic! My family all call me Eco Warrior but I can do so much better!
Rosie
Haha, we all need to be eco warriors!
This sounds like my kind of book! Can’t wait to read it now.
Al x
It’s a really good read!
Thanks for the rec! This sounds like an entertaining, and informative book. win-win
tonyalee @ http://www.vivaciousbibliophile.com
No worries, it’s such a good book!
What a great concept for a book. Lord knows I need to read more about climate change.
I think we all do! This is a nice, easy way to read about it as the humour helps take the edge of the heavier stuff.
This sounds like a really unique book, and a good way to get engaged with such an overwhelming topic. I get really bad catastrophic thinking when it comes to climate change, but this sounds like it would be a more gentle way to read about it!