A Bug Collection

by Melody Mansfield

A Bug Collection is not for the squeamish. These stories about love, death, and the webby, tenuous intersections between the two take a humorous and heartbreaking look at the complexities of human life through the compound eyes of bugs. When a lone mayfly has a painful revelation about the ephemerality of her own existence, it sets in motion a chain of revelations by more a honey bee who struggles against a paralyzing depression; a katydid who comes to terms with a life-altering disability; a water strider who offers proof of reincarnation; a tribe of ants who must confront their individual and collective powerlessness in the face of a catastrophic event; a tumbling flower beetle who falls for an abusive mate; an earthworm who gains a Buddhist-like understanding of his place in the universe; and a host of other bugs who force us to consider what it means to be fully alive in a world of dung.

200 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Diane Lefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

My advance report on this marvelous book went like this:
“In the bizarre enchantment of this collection, all the glories and dilemmas of Western civilization are second nature to the dung beetles, katydids, and fireflies, while Melody Mansfield’s reverence for all life makes her intimately acquainted with every pedipalp and scutellum. Immerse yourself in these strange pages: erudite, ecstatic, and suffused with gentle humor.”

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a book for children! This book is a collection of short stories and poems in which the characters are bugs: roaches, ants, maggots, caterpillars, bees, and every other imaginable insect. Some of the tales are original and others are based on famous works of fiction, famous television characters, and you might even recognize a politician or two. A fascinating book that is as original and charming as it was surprising.

[Jayhan M.]

i think its so interesting story

[philomela · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a wonderful collection of pure strangeness!! had me thinking about my own thoughts given towards life and death, and for that i say thanks!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about bugs and their lives? Do they communicate with one another? What are their days and nights like? Do they have a long life span?

In A Bug Collection by Melody Mansfield you will find a world of fireflies, katydids, maggots, spiders, beetles, butterflies and other types of bugs living their lives to the fullest. They solve mysteries, fall in love, fight battles and are always looking for sustenance to keep them going. I loved this book. Stories were told through biblical and classical tales. Poetry and a play were also incorporated into this book.

If you want to know more about bugs and their daily encounters, get this book and sit down to an enjoyable journey.

I won this book through the Goodreads Giveaway. Yeah! I am glad that I was a winner. You will be a winner too when you open this book.