"So, this was funny, well written and a topic I’m interested in, but it felt like such a slog. I don’t know why! I think it’s because there’s page after page of very similar examples to prove the thesis and they all started to blend together. It could be a me thing here. I did learn a lot! But I dreaded reading it. A mystery.

Two other things:

1) The author interviews so many woman scientists and it’s GREAT. Many science writers don’t do this and he obviously made an effort! I loved it.

2) There is a weird strain of fatphobia throughout this. It’s fine to talk about the role microbes play in obesity, but he pulls some choice quotes from scientists that go beyond just stating the facts (for instance, one scientist talks about his very young daughter’s diet and said he’s having a difficult choice between a microbe-healthy daughter and one who is “high on the BMI scale.� What!! Little things like that are sprinkled throughout and it’s bad. Plus, there’s also a slight tang of judgment against people who don’t choose to breastfeed. It just wasn’t needed!

I think, minus my quibbles, this would’ve made an excellent long essay instead of a book.



🦠&±ç³Ü´Ç³Ù;