Green

Suzannah Evans’ new pamphlet introduces us to Green, half human, half angry nature spirit. Green serves as a stunt double for our own rage and complicity in nature’s destruction. He shows us nature’s delights so we may mourn their loss more deeply.

‘In this delicious mini-biography of the mythic figure, Suzannah Evans has conjured up a Green Man – now modishly monikered ‘Green’ - who is witness, listener, accountant, cheerleader, of all and every aspect of nature. An inveterate listicle maker, he can’t help but nag us until our attention is drawn back inexorably to the wonder of the world; it’s nightmares too. Whether he is supervising extinctions, lavender farming, or picking up plastic litter on the beach, Green is unabashedly a fun, wry and playful personality to spend some time with.’ Rishi Dastidar

‘Green is a contemporary secular canticle, where matter and living beings are in mischievous, polyphonic dialogue. Channelled through this beyond-human figure, it presents a decentred ecology where “Green isn’t rooting for anyone” – but where we must find a way to befriend ‘him’, without turning him into a ‘man’. Earth is lively and re-enchanted, in Green’s contemporary and accessible animism. We are invited to accept the majesty of llama memes alongside the ‘death drop’ of species extinction. Fuck you, Green says to the wasps, stinging him all over, I still love you. A gentle, passionate, good-natured plea, for even the stickiest, ickiest, grossest creatures to be named in Green’s – and humanity’s – affections.’ Caleb Parkin

Part of Little Betty 2024, curated by Anja Konig and Gboyega Odubanjo.