Custodians of Wonder is, well, a wonderful book. Warm, charming, informative, moving at times, Eliot Stein’s collection of essays that “explores ten of the world’s rarest and most dazzling cultural marvels on the edge of disappearance” is an excellent read and highly recommended. As with nearly any collection, some segments will be stronger than others, but as Stein takes the reader on a tour of the world to meet people who are the last of their kind in terms of their skills/occupation, the strengths greatly outweigh the few weaker parts.

Among the ten people we meet are:
• Balla Kouyate, a balafon player whose family has, for twenty-seven unbroken generations, passed down the tradition of balafon music in combination with the oral history tradition of Mali in their role as djeli (griots in English) — “equal parts historians, praise singers, and ambassadors of the kings and communities they serve.” One aspect of their role is custodianship of the 800-year-old original balafon, the Sosso-Bala.
• Roland Borg: Perhaps the world’s last employed night watchmen, who stands sentinel over the Swedish city of Ystad, as his father did and as his father’s father did.
• Victoria Arizapana: the last person who knows how to rebuild the only surviving Inca rope suspension bridge, the Q’eswachaka, a task that must be done every year and that involves not just Arizapana but over a thousand people from the surrounding community
• Paola Abraini: a nearly 70-year-old Sardinian woman who rises at 7 am every day to make su filindeu, “the rarest pasta in the world”, so called because only three people in the world — Abraini and her two nieces — know how to prepare it.
• Han Jhen-fa, last of Taiwan’s (and one of the last in the world) artist of hand-painted movie posters, a job he has toiled at for over half a century.
• Yasuo Yamamoto: a man who is almost single-handedly trying to keep alive the traditional way of making soy sauce (shoyu), a cooking staple whose taste has been industrialized and commoditized to the point where its full richness and variety of taste has all but disappeared

Each of the essays is a mix of a character sketch, a detailed accounting of the particular skill, historical context, and memoir, as Elliot adds in his own experiences, whether it’s his reaction to the bone-jarring drive to the home of the Sosso-Bala or a more personal reminiscence of how a particular moment in his investigation echoes something from his own past life. The portraits of the subjects are richly vivid and deeply respectful, portraying them as real people in the full context of their lives and families and cultural traditions rather than simply as quirks of society, little oddities to be entertained by. You feel deeply their sense of sorrow over the passing of their skills from this world, their sense of pride in what they do, the urgency for instance of Yamamoto, trying frantically to stave off the taste-crushing press of food industrialization, the joy of a German postman who for decades delivered letters to a singles-matching tree (yes, tree) and who found his own love through the influence of the “Bridesgroom’s Oak”.

Eliot, in addition to the vivid individual portrayals, also offers up sharply precise cultural/social tidbits, such as how in Mali, one eats with your hands as is the case in a lot of places, but “unlike Southeast Asia, where you guide the food into your mouth with the thumb, Malians pack each bite into a ball with the tips of their fingers, and genders scoop from different bowls.” Eliot’s keen eye for such tiny details goes a long way toward immersing the reader in both people and place.

The history is often fascinating and well-balanced with the more personal and topic story at the core of each essay. Readers will learn of the power and wealth of the Mali Empire, follow the amazing achievements of the Incas, whose road system in many ways was more impressive than the fabled Roman one, get a lesson in the evolution of the earliest police forces, discover how Sardinia was able to repel the Romans when so many other places succumbed, get a quick history of mirror making and of the creation of Taiwan as an independent nation as well as the development of its film industry, learn the intricacies of social bees honey-finding skills and reproduction, and more. All of it is concisely conveyed, unfailingly interesting, and integrated smoothly into the stories.

As noted, the segments vary a bit in impact, but that will probably be a more subjective response. I found for instance, that the section on “telling the bees” (beekeepers speaking to their bees of important events such as deaths or births), while somewhat interesting in its own right, felt a bit out of place and more diffuse than the other essays. And the section on the Indian family that makes a mirror that shows one’s “true self”, again, while interesting enough in the mirror-making aspect, seemed a bit shoehorned in and wasn’t helped by the weak nature of its central conceit of the mirrors uniquely showing your “real” self. But as noted, if they were “weaker”, they were still engaging and interesting. Meanwhile, the others were simply fantastic, and I’d be hard pressed to choose a favorite amongst them, though I might lean towards the balafon player. Or the poster artist. Possibly the Inca bridge builder. Or the night watchman. Did I mention I would find it difficult to pick a favorite? My guess is that will hold true for just about any reader. Highly recommended.

A series of long-form articles that takes you around the world to chronical the people involved in keeping alive cultural traditions/practices/arts. I loved that he combined the current practice with the history of how it developed, and how it became so rare. My intent was always to read one chapter at a time, but as soon as I'd finished one, I'd race ahead to start the next one because I was so interested in learning about the next thing. I read one chapter aloud to my 8 year old and she was equally fascinated. This is a great book for any non-fiction lover, anyone with a New Yorker subscription, or anyone with a curiosity about other cultures. One of my favorites of the year!

For centuries, traditions have been passed from one generation to the next all over the world, but what happens when those traditions are understood and carried on by only a handful of people?

Custodians of Wonder is a nonfiction book that chronicles ten diminishing cultural touchstones. The trouble is that in each case, there are very few people left who are capable and/or willing to preserve that tradition. I found the customs described in this book to be fascinating and I appreciated the respect the author showed and context provided in each case. I was particularly intrigued by the sections about su filindeau pasta, telling the bees, Cuban cigar factory lectors, and Japanese kioke barrels.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review Custodians of Wonder Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive by Eliot Stein on NetGalley.

Published: 12/10/24

Stars: 4

Smart book on unique practices and things around the world. This is a book that a Jeopardy Contestant has read and remembered the details.

I found the Custodians interesting in their own rights. I found some of Stein's history overwhelming. This is not a novel or trivia book, it is thorough and leaves nothing to question overall. We know what happens if the traditions are not carried on.

I would recommend this as a retirement gift. .

This is such a unique book-- I learned so much about so many cultures along the way, and it felt hopeful to remember that while so much in the world is disappearing or being marred, there are people preserving beautiful things. It got a bit slow at times, but I just read it in small doses. I don't read much nonfiction, but really enjoyed this and will be recommending as an unusual book club choice. Thanks very much to Netgalley for the ARC.

This is one of those books that I instantly thought would make a great gift, especially for the dads and grandpas who are life-long learners on your list. I happen to love grandpa type reading, so this one was right up my alley.

Custodians of Wonder looks in-depth at ten different rare traditions being kept alive by one or only few people in the world. We learn about the last night watchman in a Swedish town who climbs fourteen stories into his chilly tower lookout every night, blowing a long copper horn to signal that all is well every fifteen minutes. We visit a man living on the Japanese island of Shõdoshima, preserving heritage methods of brewing authentic soy sauce in wooden barrels, taking four years from start to completion. In a small town along the Welsh border we meet a woman who carries on the tradition of telling important news to the bees she keeps. A few women in Sardinia continue the labor-intensive practice of making the rarest pasta in the world, using a method that takes around six years to perfect.

Each chapter also includes fascinating historical context around the practices, what makes them significant and how they came to be. I learned so much about the history of Cuba while reading of the lectors, the few remaining people who read literature each day out loud to the cigar factory workers. The history of Taiwan is detailed while we learn about the last film poster painter there. The stories and education are all woven together so well.

I absolutely loved this book, and wish I could see it as a documentary series!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this book!

This book was a revelation! I love the idea of keeping traditions and cultures alive, and the author found such different, interesting stories. I also loved how he traveled around the world speaking with people and showing what it was like, but there was also a good deal of fascinating history. I agree with the reviewer that said this should be a show, and while I don't normally watch live TV, I would absolutely watch a show where Eliot Stein shows us all these wonders.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Lovely and fascinating book about people who keep "lost" arts alive. This is a great read and a good pick for people who are interested in craft.

Stein has traveled the globe in search of remarkable people who are preserving some of our most extraordinary cultural rites. He gives a look at 10 people who are maintaining some of the world’s oldest and rarest cultural traditions that was discovered in his travels. He introduces each person in the book. The author has uncovered an almost lost world. His memoir mixes traditions, rituals, and good food, adding up to an enjoyable read.

I received this as an ARC and I have neglected to review before publishing, not due to dislike but rather a lack of publishing time awareness. I rather enjoyed this compilation of unique things. I did not read straight through, but rather dipped in and out when I had time for one or two chapters. I am a curious person about so many things, so I felt this did a great job of exposing and explaining people and places unbeknowst to me in a fun and informative way.

Eliot Stern's CUSTODIANS OF WONDER was an introduction to places, people, and customs I never knew -- and reading of them in his excellent prose brought a richness and depth to my daily life, thinking of people writing to a tree and so many different individuals carrying on the ancient traditions. I am heartbroken to think of the manufactured replacing the handmade and the heartfelt crafts in the same way I despair over the fate of the bees, open spaces, and dark sky. Stein is a master storyteller, present and accessible as a person encountering incredible wonders and sharing them with us in a conversational, intelligent voice. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

In praise of those who keep traditions from extinction

What a relief it was to discover that I am not the only person who latches on to arcane or offbeat things to do as part of my travels! Author Eliot Stein is a travel journalist who wrote a column for the BBC called Custom Made which focused on finding and interviewing people around the globe who engage in an art or occupation that is firmly based in tradition but who may be the last people who will ever do it. As a person who when traveling to Belgium was determined to not only sample (lots and lots) of chocolate but also to seek out a place to buy handmade lace in Bruges, for example, I could not wait to read about the people interviewed by Mr. Stein as well as learn about what it was they did...and why. The book did not disappoint! From near-alchemist makers of a particular type of mirror in India to the last women in Sardinia who craft an amazingly intricate pasta, a man who in Peru who oversees the yearly crafting of the only remaining bridge (woven from plants!) that dates back to the Incas and the last night watchman in a small Swedish village, imbedded in each person's story is how their craft or occupation came to be, how its existence is woven into the history of their people, and how many such pursuits may be on the verge of extinction as modern civilization and technology encroach upon traditional life. Part travelogue, part sociological study, part biography, and part "things that make you go hmm", each story enthralled me and tempted me to add a few new trips to my wishlist. Every now and again the author gets a little deeper into the weeds than I felt I wanted to go, but not enough to stop me going on to finish each of the chapters. If you are someone who has enjoyed books (and in one case podcasts) by Mark Kurlansky, Aaron Mahnke and Frances Mayes, then you really must pick up a copy of Custodians of Wonder. If those authors don't strike a cord with you but you are prone to be fascinated by life's minutiae, again I highly recommend that you give this book a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me early access to a copy of this engaging read in exchange for my honest review.

Great experience with Custodians. The author’s ability to blend bygone artifacts and traditions into his spiritual journey is inspiring. Readers will also connect with the characters encountered in these obscure locations.

This was a delightful collection of history, traditions and people. One can feel love toward the world for all these people keeping the unique traditions alive. Who knew it could be so interesting? I especially liked the story of pasta in Sardinia.

What helped this collection of stories is that Mr. Stein told us honestly from his perspective and also gave the reader a short history lesson. The book had humor, wonder and appreciation. I appreciated that each story was separate and fairly short. It absolutely made me want to travel and is a great armchair travel book. Mr. Stein took the reader on a trip around the world and showed the reader world is so full on wondrous things! I do hope there will be another book by the author. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I have not traveled very much, and with great certainty, I can say I would never even contemplate going some of the places this author went to research this book (the goat head story was way too much for me).
I did, however, really enjoy the parts of the book in which he told the stories of going to see or witness these amazing things.

.It was very thoroughly researched, but I definitely lost interest in all the history parts with all the citations. I'm pretty much a fiction reader, but I wanted to give this a try. I do think that the book would have benefited from some photos of the amazing things he wrote about.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

I love this so much! I felt guilty about some things, is that weird. I love stories about real life people like this. This was beautiful.

Ten Chapters, each encompassing a different treasure from different parts of the world. Reads like a magazine article (and the author writes for travel magazines) and is great taken in small doses. Take with you on your next trip! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

If you like podcasts about travel and culture and learning, I think you'll also enjoy reading this book. A longer form than mere trivia, but not so intimidating as a deep dive, this book will take you on a journey across the world to meet the fascinating people behind the interesting, bespoke customs. A great coffee table gift for any readers and non-readers in your life.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Custodians of Wonder, Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive by Eliot Stein from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in order to read and give an honest review.

… I loved every minute of it. This book is a flawless blend of history with an anthropological eye, and memoir as we learn Stein’s personal thoughts on these individuals and their stories…

BBC Travel journalist and editor Eliot Stein takes the reader on a journey to meet ten unique and outstanding individuals whose life mission is to keep centuries-old traditions alive. From Balla Kouyatè and his ability to have mastered the balafon, an instrument that his family had mastered for generations, to Karl-Heinz Martens, the postman whose only stop on a route was the Bridegroom’s Oak that helped others but also caused him to reunite with a family member he had longed to meet. Each down-to-earth and heartwarming story shares how their family traditions had become their destiny and now their legacy.

After reading each chapter I couldn’t help but go online and journey down the rabbit hole of research to learn more about these customs and if I am being honest, I loved every minute of it. This book is a flawless blend of history with an anthropological eye, and memoir as we learn Stein’s personal thoughts on these individuals and their stories.

Well-written Stein weaves together a captivating tapestry which introduces the reader to cultures that seem so removed from our own, yet he manages to do it with finesse and class. Through each story we not only meet the custodian but learn about the history and significance of each tradition, getting insight into Stein’s own experiences, and thoughts as we go.

In our future focused modern world, it was a refreshing opportunity to learn about people who follow their destiny as a storyteller of their ancestor’s history and traditions giving us an opportunity to learn why they should matter to us today. As a person who is curious about traditions and all things anthropological, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

3.5 stars. Author and journalist Eliot Stein shines the spotlight on obscure traditions in this fascinating odyssey around the world. Readers witness ancient traditions and meet the few (if not last) people steadfastly keeping them alive. From a beekeeper who shares the news of the day with his hives to a tribe that handweaves a suspension bridge, Stein respectfully observes their work and marvels over their long-cherished history. This ode to the importance and long-lasting impact of tradition is well worth seeking out.