Fruit does not often merit a place in conversations revolving around history, art or politics, and is usually resigned to occupy grocery shelves, or to laze around in orchards and gardens. Journalist, filmmaker and fruit bat Adam Leith Gollner throws a prying spotlight on fruit in his latest book The Fruit Hunters and speculates that there is more to fruit than what meets the eye. The book’s tagline hints that there is a story of nature, adventure, commerce and obsession in every piece of fruit. From Columbian terrorism, Casanova’s promiscuity, the habits of fruitarians, and a global loss of biodiversity, Adam draws on social, political and scientific references to fruit and its ‘forgotten’ history. Informative without preaching, Adam’s exposé covers exploitation of fruit workers, modern-day pesticide use and genetically modified produce.
