A book about fungi, I thought this could be very boring or very interesting. I did not realise this book wove information about fungi, history and exploration of current day issues. Each chapter feels like a workshop talk about a different mushroom related topic. At times I felt angry at stories of injustice and brutality, these were at times historical and other of current day which is just shocking that people can behave in such cruel ways. As someone coming from Wales even the part about some parts of the USA making foraging illegal felt shocking. I can’t go for a 5 minute walk from my house at this time of year without snacking on an apple, a blackberry while I work out how much longer the nuts will be!
I made myself read this slowly because it does feel like this is a book to savour rather than binge. I think if you are interested in fungi you will love this and if you’re not and you want to read a book written about someone moving into their true self and into their passion then you will love this. It’s totally inspiring. I absolutely loved the thoughtfulness of the author from page one I felt I was in safe hands. It’s written in a way that makes you feel the authors passion about the subject.
She talks so movingly about her sadness as a child, the sense of it is so visceral. This book is incredibly personal and the author gives everything to the telling of the story. There is a darkness in the chapter about “zombie ants” that might be triggering for some people with some discussion around suicide and self harm. I think this is skilfully handled but worth being aware of. I did love the analogy of being a zombie and capitalism very pertinent. This was not an easy chapter but it was the one that hooked me into the book.
In another chapter there is explicit details of how we could react if we ate a poisonous fungus which actually, I think, serves as a pretty strong reminder that they need to handled with care which shows the care of the author. The end of the book has references which you can also read, again showing an attention to detail that is very pleasing.
Each chapter covers a different type of fungi and the writing style feels like you are listening to an excited friend explaining their thesis, in language that you can understand. There is an enthusiasm which is backed by knowledge. I loved the ending of the book, I won’t say what it ends with but it’s the subject of my favourite sleep story that I listen to most nights which made it feel even more special.
Would I go out and eat my local fungi after reading this book? No I managed to poison myself as a child and I’m so slap dash I would probably do it again. Will I seek fungi out and pay them attention, as we move into Autumn.. yes and I have this book to thank for my renewed excitement for that. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the natural world and history and I think it would be an excellent present for someone who loves a book that just oozes the passion of a specialist subject.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinions

*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from NetGalley.

Is there anything so incredible as fungi? The sheer range, the abilities, the fascination that humans hold for them. Pinto weaves her own experience as a lover of mushrooms with the mushrooms themselves in this book. Which makes it so much the better as she provides a perspective that isn't in the normal mushroom books you see out there.

Drawing from her Jamaican heritage, she turns the notion of foraging and mushrooms being a white person's world to one that spans cultures and people. She breaks the book out into several sections - not just focusing on edible mushrooms but spanning a variety of types. From the kind that zombifies bugs, to some edible, to some that can survive fire, all fungi types are represented.

From a sociological, ecological, and explorer mindset, this book does a great job of bringing mushrooms from a different viewpoint.

Review by M. Reynard 2025

Maria Pinto's *Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless* masterfully reimagines the realm of nature writing, drawing readers into a lush and textured landscape of Black naturalism. With her eloquent and vibrant prose, Pinto intricately weaves together threads of radicalism, self-love, lineage, and community, crafting a rich tapestry that boldly challenges conventional perceptions of our connection to the natural world. Her writing bursts with vivid imagery and evocative language, often laced with a delightful dash of dark humor that invites readers to delve into the intricate complexities of the mycological realm.

In her narrative, Pinto seamlessly intertwines scientific insights—rooted in mycology and ecology—with deeply personal stories, ensuring that her explorations resonate on myriad levels, making her reflections both enlightening and profoundly relatable. I was genuinely taken aback by how swiftly I became enamored with Maria Pinto’s unique voice! This type of nonfiction captivates me, as it artfully merges scientific knowledge with rich personal experiences. I am particularly thrilled by her inclusion of quotes from *Braiding Sweetgrass*, a work I hold in high esteem and cherish as one of my all-time favorites.

To my surprise, a book focused on mushrooms evoked both laughter and tears. What an incredibly radical and thought-provoking piece of art this is—steeped in anti-capitalist and anti-colonial sentiments. I thoroughly relished the myriad discussions presented within, from pondering whether "foragers are thieves?" to contemplating the idea that "nature is inherently queer," and everything in between. As a Puerto Rican Autistic trans person, I discovered immense joy in these pages! There’s something profoundly special about encountering literature that approaches every facet of my identity with tenderness and care.

The structure of the book as a series of personal essays beautifully connects mushrooms and mushroom foraging to a multitude of topics, including linguistics, family heritage, identity, contemporary protest movements, environmentalism, and beyond. Rather than presenting dry facts, Pinto's writing is imbued with personal resonance and readability, capturing the interest of even those who may not yet identify as mushroom enthusiasts. It is sure to ignite curiosity and spur discussions. Pinto’s unique and thought-provoking perspective on identity encourages readers to engage in a rich exploration of how foraging intertwines with colonialism and queerness against the backdrop of the natural landscape. Her personal journeys serve as illuminating glimpses into broader societal issues, fostering meaningful conversations about the historical and contemporary ramifications of these interconnected themes.

*Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless* stands as an inviting gateway for newcomers to the world of mushroom exploration while offering profound reflections for seasoned naturalists who already feel a deep bond with their environments. This thought-provoking work promises to inspire engaging discussions and provoke introspection regarding its thematic depth, solidifying its position as a significant contribution to contemporary nature literature.

A BEAUTIFULLY written book that was delightful and also made me sob 87 times (approximately). I fell in love with the way this was written, the descriptions Pinto gave, and the overall structure of this book. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book and annotate it like crazy.

Absolutely loved this book. I am ordering a copy for my library now and I am going to suggest it to my staff for a future Book Club selection. The author is Black and Jamaican-American and brings a much-needed voice and perspective to the world of mushroom foraging, which can be very white-dominated. The book is constructed as a series of personal essays that tie mushrooms and mushroom foraging into a range of topics, including linguistics, family heritage, identity, contemporary protest movements, environmentalism, and more. This is no dry facts book, but is very personal and readable and would be interesting even for someone who is not already a mushroom fan. Sure to spark lots of interest and discussion!

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts in this review are my own!!

"I've speculated: the animal in me gets sick of being trapped inside a vessel that only ever sits, plays, sleeps, thinks, reads, and weeps inside the dying whale of capitalism, an unnatural clock ticking unnaturally loud as the background of the everyday."

I want to preface this by saying I had not heard of this author or this book prior to me seeing and requesting it on NetGalley. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I fell in love with Maria Pinto's voice!! This is a format of nonfiction that I eat up every single time. It perfectly weaves scientific information alongside personal lived experiences. I am so happy Maria Pinto quotes Braiding Sweetgrass in this work because I hold Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless right up there with it!! If you know me personally, then you know Braiding Sweetgrass is one of my absolute favorite books of all time.

I was not expecting a book about mushrooms to make me cackle, let alone to make me sob. This was such an anti-capitalist, anti-colonial, radical work of art. I thoroughly enjoyed all the conversations in this from "are foragers thieves" to "nature is inherently queer" and everything inbetween. As a Puerto Rican Autistic trans person, I found so much joy in these pages!! It is always so special to find a piece of literature in which all aspects of my identity are discussed with such care and love. Maria Pinto is a human being I deeply respect and would love to have dinner with for the chance to pick her brain. Her book is one that I will not shut up about for a long time, if I ever shut up about it at all!!

If you're a nature lover, I think you will get a lot out of this. I also found Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless to be very beginner-friendly to the world of mushrooms. I'm not sure if Mushrooom fanatics would appreciate this as much as I did, but I sure hope they will, considering how much love reverberates off the pages of this book.

Stay nerdy.