Nature and the Environment

Nature and the Environment appears as a literary theme in 5 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.

The untamed river, jungle, and sea serve as both a backdrop and a force that shapes human fate, reflecting the indifference of nature to human struggles and the harshness of life in the tropics.

The narrative celebrates a restored, pastoral England where cities have been 'de-cockneyfied,' the Thames is clean, and the landscape is treated as a garden for pleasure and livelihood, contrasting with the polluted, degraded environment of the industrial past.

Nature is depicted as both a source of beauty and a force to be contended with, from the lament of the maple tree and the majesty of Niagara Falls to the dangers of blizzards, fires, and wild animals.

The harsh Irish landscape and sea are powerful forces, shaping characters' lives—the fog, rain, and wind in the glen create an eerie atmosphere, while the ocean in 'Riders to the Sea' is an inescapable, destructive presence.

The vivid descriptions of Vendale, the sea, and underwater ecosystems emphasize the beauty and complexity of the natural world, while also warning against pollution and cruelty to animals, as seen in the poaching and industrial imagery.