Title: The Anthropology of Turquoise: Meditations on Landscape, Art, and Spirit
Author: Ellen Meloy
First published July 16, 2002
336 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780375408854 (ISBN10: 0375408851)
Rating: 4.03
Overview
Can a small-town girl resist the charm of a world-famous actor? After a scandal that rocked his career, Hollywood heartthrob, Ethan Walker, seeks refuge in the peaceful town of Willow Creek.
Though the locals can’t seem to get enough of him, all Ethan wants is to be left alone. But when his new neighbor, bookstore owner, Lily Evans, accidentally spills coffee on him, their worlds collide.
Lily is no stranger to the limelight herself, having once been a child star. But she’s left that life behind and is happy to live a quiet existence in Willow Creek.
That is until Ethan comes into her life and turns everything upside down. As they grow closer, Lily can’t help but wonder if she can handle the scrutiny that comes with dating a Hollywood star.
With paparazzi lurking around every corner, will Lily and Ethan’s love be able to withstand the pressure?
About the Author
Ellen Meloy was a gifted writer who found inspiration in the natural world. She won several prestigious awards for her work, including the Whiting Writer’s Award in 1997 and the John Burroughs Medal in 2007.
Her book, The Anthropology of Turquoise Meditations on Landscape, Art & Spirit, was even nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2003. Meloy’s love for nature shines through in her writing, and her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us is truly remarkable.
Editoral Review
Written with a sharp and captivating voice, The Anthropology of Turquoise: Meditations on Landscape, Art, and Spirit by Ellen Meloy is a poignant exploration of nature, art, and life in the American Southwest. This non-fiction work explores the author’s love for the desert, its people, and the vivid landscapes that surround it.
Meloy’s imaginative and illuminating narrative takes readers through the stunning natural landscapes of the southwest, from the arid landscape of the Colorado Plateau to the deep canyons and wild rivers of Utah. Ellen Meloy was a critically acclaimed writer of the American Southwest, and her unique style of writing is showcased to great effect in The Anthropology of Turquoise.
It is a deeply personal and poetic memoir of Meloy’s experiences of the desert, which she aptly describes as “an odd blend of beauty and severity, of profundity and frivolity”. Her keen observations of the natural world, its landscapes, and its inhabitants are matched with a beautiful writing style that perfectly captures the essence of the Southwest.
The Anthropology of Turquoise is not a work of fiction, but rather a beautiful weaving of memoir, history, and anthropology. Meloy’s meditations on the landscape, art, and spirit explore the intersection between humans and nature in the Southwest.
The book’s main themes are centered around the concept of turquoise, which has both cultural and spiritual significance to the Native American culture in the Southwest. Meloy explores how the color of turquoise is infused into the landscape, art, and life of the people of the Southwest, creating a unique cultural fabric that is as beautiful as it is complex.
Meloy’s narrative is structured along finding unexpected treasures washed down a river, and her writing is like the river carrying the reader on this path. The flow of her prose is enchanting, and it urges readers to surrender to the storytelling.
She masterfully combines lyrical reflections on natural beauty with biting commentary about the human impact on the environment. Her descriptions of the landscape are infused with poetic and philosophical contemplation, making it a beautifully crafted work of literary exploration.
Despite its focus on the past, the lessons we can draw from The Anthropology of Turquoise still hold relevance in the present day. Meloy’s reflections on the natural world offer a poignant perspective on our relationship with nature, one that has become increasingly important in these times of climate change and urbanization.
Her observations on the Southwest’s landscapes and culture are insightful and thought-provoking, providing readers with a better understanding of the region’s history and people. The Anthropology of Turquoise is an essential read for nature lovers and anyone interested in the American Southwest.
The book is filled with fascinating anecdotes, intriguing insights, and enchanting prose. Meloy’s writing style encourages deep contemplation and introspection, and her reflections offer a unique window into an often-overlooked corner of the United States.
The Anthropology of Turquoise: Meditations on Landscape, Art, and Spirit by Ellen Meloy is a beautiful, well-crafted, and insightful exploration of the Southwest’s natural beauty and cultural richness. The book provides a captivating and reflective journey that provides an excellent window into the natural wonder of the Southwest.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the intersection between humanity and nature, and anyone keen to celebrate the unique beauty of the American Southwest.