Last week, I finished reading Eating Animals, an examination of the various effects of meat-eating on society. The book written by Jonathan Safran Foer had been sitting on my bookshelf for almost a year, and in preparation for purchasing the kindle, I decided to read it I’d been considering eating meat again, so I thought it was appropriate to read it before I ventured down that road.
This book had the opposite effect of what I anticipated. I became a pescatarian for personal and environmental reasons. I finished this book and I am now a vegetarian for an entire plethora of reasons. I don’t wish to address all of those reasons in this post, I just wanted to let you all know that this book challenged and subsequently changed my beliefs about meat (and fish) consumption.
Before reading, Eating Animals, I never thought a lot about the meat industry. I’d heard things, but I never wanted to know much. Audible gasps of horror escaped my lips at certain points. It’s not a pretty industry, and Foer’s descriptions do not sugarcoat anything. I think this book should be required reading for all, because everyone should know where and how their food is produced. Once you’ve read it, you can make your choices as to how to proceed.
I think that is an excellent way to present the idea of reading the book and then decide for yourself later. I have tried to read it several times and always end up putting it down and coming back to it again later to continue on. It’s an incredibly important book but you’re right – he doesn’t sugarcoat (hence why I have to put it away sometimes). It’s not good most people have no awareness of the current “industry” and what that means, I think as more people become aware they can themselves make better educated decisions. I am vegetarian but my husband isn’t BUT he is learning about the industry and therefore is making different decisions on his choices, including locally sourced and independently farmed food and also by reducing his consumption to add more veggies and fruit because there’s benefits all around with that!
Thank you. I tried very hard not to be too preachy about this book, although it was very tempted. I just want people to knowledgeable about what it is they are monetarily supporting. Once they know, if they can opt to ignore it, than that’s their choice. My boyfriend, also eats meat so I’ve asked him to read it. It sounds like your husband is making an educated choice that is agreeable to both you.
This topic is showing up more and more in my life right now. That book has been recommended to me before… Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
You’re welcome! I hope you’ll read it. It’s a bit of effort as it can be very saddening at times, but I feel much more informed having read it.
I agree with the other commenters. This is a great way to figure out a game plan for your life: gaining knowledge. It sounds like it was a pretty powerful read. What’s next on your to-read list?
Next on my non-fiction list is Cheap; The High Cost of Discount Culture. It’s also been sitting on the bookshelf for nearly a year. But I read Insurgent (the second in the Divergent trilogy) today, and I am also going to escape into the newest Sookie Stackhouse novel this week.
I will have to look into this! After reading The Omnivores Dilema, as well as watching Food Inc. I honestly can’t eat fast food AT ALL anymore. I would love to take a look into this book! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome. I never eat fast food, mostly because of random stories I’ve heard. I haven’t read the Omnivores Dilema but Foer mentions it a few times in Eating Animals. Perhaps I’ll add it to my to-read list.
Hi Frankie! I just stumbled onto your blog from Gabbie’s Island. What a great, down to earth, creative blog! I admire you for your choice to become vegetarian..it can’t be easy making that transition. I was brought up that way, and the funny thing is, I’ve had to learn what my reason is for staying vegetarian. All the best on your journey – maybe we can trade some recipes?
I love trading recipes! That’s why I share many of mine here. It hasn’t been to bad of a transistion from pescatarianism to vegetarianism. It was harder when I stopped eating meat three and a half years ago.
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