Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine, and Wishful Wednesday is hosted by The Bluestocking Guide. After some fretting about what I wanted to post, I’m going with Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier which was released yesterday. I did not enjoy her 2003 Lady and The Unicorn, and I haven’t read her 2007 Burning Bright, but I just might go out and buy her latest book soon. Not that I have room for it…
From the author’s website:
In 1810, a sister and brother uncover the fossilized skull of an unknown animal in the cliffs on the south coast of England. With its long snout and prominent teeth, it might be a crocodile – except that it has a huge, bulbous eye.
Remarkable Creatures is the story of Mary Anning, who has a talent for finding fossils, and whose discovery of ancient marine reptiles such as that ichthyosaur shakes the scientific community and leads to new ways of thinking about the creation of the world.
Working in an arena dominated by middle-class men, however, Mary finds herself out of step with her working-class background. In danger of being an outcast in her community, she takes solace in an unlikely friendship with Elizabeth Philpot, a prickly London spinster with her own passion for fossils.
The strong bond between Mary and Elizabeth sees them through struggles with poverty, rivalry and ostracism, as well as the physical dangers of their chosen obsession. It reminds us that friendship can outlast storms and landslides, anger and jealousy.
Searching for fossils reminds me of a field trip I took in elementary school. We went to the shores of the Mississippi and climbed muddy clay cliffs in search of itty-bitty bones of long dead dinosaurs. I still remember the fanny-pack I wore, pink and yellow and teal, and how covered it was with the white-grey mud of the clay at the end of the day. It was so much fun being young and messy.
What are you waiting and wishing for?
You’re WoW disqualified!
Just teasing…great pick, and thanks for participating!
I’ve been thinking about this book too. I enjoyed Girl With a Pearl Earring but haven’t read any of her other books. The idea of a dinosaur discovery sounds interesting though.
I’m wishing, and waiting (and not very patiently I might add), for my Nook to arrive…
This looks good!
I’m going to a book signing tomorrow night with Chevalier. The loal museum is bringing fossils before the signing. Should be fun.
great choice looks really interesting I may have to go find.
The only thing that I’ve read by Chevalier is The Girl With a Pearl Earring.
Oh, I just won a copy of this book! I need to get around to reading it soon…
I enjoyed Lady and the Unicorn (maybe cause I was always fascinated by those tapestries) and I enjoyed the movie of Girl with a Pearl Earring (but haven’t read it). This one sounds very interesting though.
What a fascinating talent to have. I want to find interesting fossils. I haven’t read Chevalier before but I am going to have to check this one out.
Thanks for stopping by WoW.
I’m reading this book now – very good pick
that looks great, thanks for sharing!
I bought Remarkable Creatures for my grandma for Christmas. Hoping she reads it fast so I can borrow it
Nice pick. I have read The Girl With A Pearl Earring. This one looks good
I think this is the most recent book that I’ve added to my wishlist. Our local newspaper ran a really interesting story/review on it this weekend, and now I really want to read it!
Oh, this book is just wonderful. I have written a review of it on my blog if you want to check it out. It was one of my favourite reads of 2009 (and I read 99 books!).
Hope you enjoy!