Read. This. Book.

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier




Take one passionate writer of historical fiction and fan of strong female characters and pair her up with Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier and you will create pure bliss. I adored this book! The writing is strong and honest and suggestive of the time and I was fascinated to learn how two "spare parts" (spinster women) made such a huge difference in the late 1800s' studies of paleontology. As a passionate beach comber myself I completely understand Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot's compulsion to scour their beach every day for some crumb of ancient history. This book has me wanting to book a ticket to Lyme Regis, as well as to read more about these two incredible women.

My only gripe about this book is that I finished it before my long flight from North Carolina home was complete. But I re-read bits -- the opening line is one to study! -- and woolgathered about these women and their lives and next thing I knew, we were touching down in Seattle. Remarkable Creatures is a remarkable book!



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