I started reading Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier and I’m absolutely immersed in the world of Elizabeth Philpot, a spinster who would rather hunt for fossils than anything else. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic read but I have to say, pictures would be great with this book.
Elizabeth mentions a lot of the finds and she describes them but being that I really have no knowledge of anything like this I can’t help but wonder what are ammonites, belemnites, Devil’s tonails and so on. I’ve been doing a bit of Google searching that’s for sure. Here’s a snippet of what Elizabeth feels when she’s on a hunt:
“For myself, it took only the early discovery of a golden ammonite, glittering on the beach between Lyme and Charmouth, for me to succumb to the seductive thrill of finding unexpected treasure. I began frequenting the beaches more and more, though at the time few women took an interest in fossils. It was seen as an unladylike pursuit, dirty and mysterious. I didn’t mind. There was no one I wanted to impress with my femininity.”
There’s a lot more I could rave about and I’m only about a quarter of the way into the story! So, let me get back to that and I’ll let you get back to planning for the weekend. Anyone have big plans? I’m hoping to finally get some Christmas shopping done and hopefully a lot of reading. Happy weekend all!
Ooh I have this to read and have nearly picked it up on a couple of occasions. Thank you for the enticement! 🙂
I am going to add this to my wish list!
I liked this one a lot and agree photos who have been awesome.
I really enjoyed this one. The story is not full of action, but I found the fossil information and the relationships fascinating. I did look a lot of things up online to get an idea of what they looked like.
The fact that both women were so active in a man’s field and in that Victorian world was also interesting. The book has a great bibliography that I had planned to follow up, but just haven’t.
I love Chevalier, so I definitely hope to read this one at some point. I only have a few more odds and ends to pick up as far as Christmas shopping goes, but I would like to finish it all this weekend! Unfortunately, I will be working a lot this weekend, but if I can get a lot of reading done, I will be happy. I am in the middle of Cutting for Stone and dying to see what happens!
I really like Chevalier and will add this one to my list.
As for the weekend, I plan to read! The semester is coming to an end, and I have been grading like a maniac. I still have a lot more to grade but am planning on taking frequent breaks to read and put up my Christmas tree.
Hope your weekend is fabulous!
Can’t wait for your final thoughts on this book. It sounds fascinating.
My husband and I are going Christmas shopping this weekend, too. I’m not a fan of shopping, but buying gifts for The Girl is always fun.
I’m really looking forward to reading this. I’ve read nearly all of her other books and enjoyed them (some more than others but they were still all good). Good luck on that shopping this weekend–I’ve a bit to do myself!
This sounds really good. Glad yorue enjoing it. I’d be googling her finds as well 🙂 Enjoy your weekend.
Litlove – I hope you’ll pick this one up. I promise you won’t be disappointed 🙂
Veens – Yay, I’m glad you are adding this to your list!
diane – Wouldn’t they? I think even illustrations would have worked well. Kind of to make it seem like a vintage nature book.
jenclair – The beginning when she’s talking about how the sisters are shipped off to another part so that her brother can bring his new wife in just really rankled me. And, that she was a spinster at 25! Ugh. I know that’s how things were but still, ugh.
Stephanie – I’ve really liked a lot of her books and so far I can imagine this one being one of my favorites. Have fun shopping! And, can’t wait to read your review of Cutting for Stone. I thought that was a great book.
jenn – I bet you can’t wait for that semester break right? Do you have a bunch of books already lined up to read? Have fun decorating. I haven’t put up a tree yet and I’m still working on Christmas cards!
Anna – Good luck with the shopping! I do think it’s a lot of fun to buy gifts for children and well you’ve got a bookworm there so that at least helps right 🙂
Danielle – I have liked a lot of her books too, especially Girl with a Pearl Earring. I loved that book. Hope you have a good time shopping. I’m going to a local arts & crafts fair so at least no malls for me 🙂
bookworm – I keep thinking what are these things she’s finding! So interesting. You have a lovely weekend too!
Ooh, I like Tracy Chevalier, and I adore women like Elizabeth Philpot (is she based on a real female fossil hunter?). Can’t wait to read your final thoughts, but I thank you for putting this one on my radar!
ds – I don’t know if she is. I’m curious if there are any kind of endnotes, I’m assuming there will be so hopefully I can find out. I promise to keep you guys posted on this one. It’s so good!
Hope you had a good weekend!