Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless: What Fungi Taught Me about Nourishment, Poison, Ecology, Hidden Histories, Zombies, and Black Survival

“Pinto celebrates the interconnectedness of the natural world in this joyful mix of memoir, science, history, and adventure . . . . She ends on a poignant, hopeful note, envisioning a future for humankind inspired by fungi, made up of communities that flourish through mutual aid. With echoes of Jamaica Kincaid and Annie Dillard, this is a treat for nature lovers and mushroom aficionados.”—Publishers Weekly

“Maria Pinto tells a story that is as much an exploration of mycology as it is an interrogation of Indigenous traditions in the West and a tale of the author’s spiritual journey. . . . Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless challenges the reader to see mushrooms as more than merely an organism to be eaten, seen, or feared. Mushrooms, Pinto argues, are the ever-present ghosts that have borne witness to the past. They are the gateway to understanding the story of civilization, and they are the Gaia that binds us all.”—Science Magazine

“Zombies! Poison! Colonialism! Adventure! Mutual Aid! Pinto tells it all—and with great style. . . . [H]er energetic use of language, irony, and humor will leave you grinning. Personal, daring, and utterly delightful.”—Orion Magazine

“This captivating debut connects the science with historical and current Black life and experience.”—Ms. Magazine

“A revelation and a delight . . . . The writing is seductive, inviting and an invitation to heed the reality we exist in.”—CounterPunch

“A book to sink your teeth into.”—Caribbean Life

“[A]mazing and beautiful essays, which I could only read in pieces because I kept stopping – to think; to mark; to roll over my tongue and brain for their unique style, sources and connections. Reading this book is like eating the richest, the most delicious and most complex food imaginable.”—Fungi Magazine

“Nature writing lends itself to the poetic, and Pinto doesn’t miss an opportunity to turn a paragraph into an under-the-radar prose poem or a chance to make head-spinning connections, leading readers toward expansive ideas about nature’s guidance, social justice, and creating true community.”—BOMB Magazine

“Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless is both lyrical and visceral.”—Harvard Divinity School