- The book tries to combine botanical and cultural history with autobiography but fails at both.
- It contains dull Wikipedia-style facts and presents origin myths without analysis or engagement.
- The author focuses too much on herself, yet her story lacks genuine hardship given her privileged background.
- She dismisses other people's experiences, especially regarding colonialism, and becomes frustrated when they don't share her outrage.
- The reviewer finds the book solipsistic and lacking rigor in botanical history.