The Last Island: A Naturalist's Sojourn on Triangle Island

by Alison Watt

At twenty-three, Alison Watt left the comfort of a relationship and urban life to spend four months studying tufted puffins on Triangle Island, a remote bird sanctuary far off the northern tip of Vancouver Island.
She spent her summer in the company of Anne Vallee, a serious young biologist whose dedication to her field made her a formidable and inspiring mentor. Now, in the sixteen years since Watt last visited the island, Anne has died, and from the moment Watt arrives to do more research, she is flooded with memories of the summer they spent together.
Told in a gripping diary form, "The Last Island" blends native legends, evolutionary theory, scientific knowledge and an appreciation for the delicate balance required for creatures as small as krill and as large as fin whales to survive. Watt brings the island to life, recreating through sensual detail the sounds, smells, sights, tastes and textures of this desolate bird haven. Perhaps even more importantly, she recreates the jagged inner landscape of a young woman worn and warmed by months of seclusion.

Genres: Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Paul Juniper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultimately a sad book. Not inspiring. Unfortunately, I think, it is realistic and fairly represents life on the island in perhaps too much detail for a casual reader.realistic. With lots of sorrow. You wouldn't read this book to cheer yourself up.

The watercolour paintings scattered throughout are very beautiful and make the book worth looking at just for them.

If I knew at the beginning what I know now I would have just looked at and enjoyed the art work and not read the text.

[Madelyn Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Gorgeous water coloured illustrations.

[Teresa]

Great book in one of my favourite genres. A quick read with the right combo of natural history, biography, and environmental concern. And I must mention the artwork - which is the reason I picked it up in the first place.

[Skylinebal]

Descriptive writing about a summer field season on an inland north of Vancouver Island, studying puffin reproduction. Almost as good as being there! Lovely watercolor illustrations by the author.