Paul Roberts THE END OF FOOD, MP Barker’s A DIFFICULT BOY and poet Annie Boutelle

M. P. Barker

Paul Roberts

Paul Roberts tells us about THE END OF FOOD, we talk with M. P. Barker about her historical novel of early 19th century New England, A DIFFICULT BOY, and Annie Boutelle reveals the life of poet Celia Thaxter in BECOMING BONE.

Paul Roberts says the era of cheap, abundant food is coming to an end. In his book, The End of Food, Roberts says the technologies of the so-called “Green Revolution” which were supposed to end hunger don’t fit the conditions in the very countries they were supposed to feed. Small farmers are squeezed off the land, their families go hungry, and suicide sweeps their ranks.

Rich countries are vulnerable, too. In a globalized food system, plant diseases could wipe out major food crops like wheat, fish stocks are crashing, and antibiotic resistance threatens both our meat animals–and ourselves. Roberts says the global industrialized food system is overextended, under threat of disruptions and unsustainable.

We talk with M. P. Barker about her historical novel of early 19th century New England, A DIFFICULT BOY. It’s about two young indentured servants who overcome their differences to make common cause against an abusive master.

In BECOMING BONE, Annie Boutelle uses poetry to explore the life of 19th century poet Celia Thaxter. Her imagery evokes the harsh environment of the Isle of Shoals, where Thaxter made her home. You can read some of her poems here.

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