FOR SMALL CREATURES SUCH AS WE Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World

The daughter of the late astrophysicist Carl Sagan narrates her own work with self-deprecating wit, nostalgic remembrance, and a dash of joy. Sasha Sagan isn't religious, since her parents instilled science as a belief system from an early age. Still, she has a fascination with the rituals religion provides. Her thoughts about Christmas take listeners from a December visit to Tokyo's Ginza to Saturnalia and to her own participation in her husband's family's celebrations. Often, she recalls her father. Sagan tells of how she cried when hearing his voice on an audiobook and of her joy upon seeing mementos his fans have left at his grave. Her thesis--that everyone can observe rituals and see the miracles around us--will leave listeners with ideas to ponder. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2020]