Remarkable Creatures
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When Mary Anning uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home on the English coast, she sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to vicious gossip, and the scientific world alight. Luckily, Mary finds an unlikely champion in prickly Elizabeth Philpot, and in the struggle
… More »When Mary Anning uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home on the English coast, she sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to vicious gossip, and the scientific world alight. Luckily, Mary finds an unlikely champion in prickly Elizabeth Philpot, and in the struggle to be recognized in the wider world, Mary and Elizabeth discover that friendship is their greatest ally.
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Add a SummaryHistorical novel, based on life of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. Mary is a skilled fossil hunter and her finds keep her family from the poor house. Elizabeth is of a higher class, but poor too, in 1820's England. They become close friends, during Mary's childhood and after she is grown. Elizabeth helps widowed mother and Mary and brother when she can, with sales of fossils, etc. Assorted men take the credit for many of Mary's discoveries.
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Remarkable Creatures
The author discusses her book and the true story that inspired her to write it.
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Add a CommentApparently a movie in the works!
I never expected a story about fossils to be so interesting! And the fact that it is based on the discoveries of a real person, someone who was not to be denied her passion by social convention, is fascinating.
walk group june 2011 book
I really liked this book from the first page. I found the story enticing, and the challenges faced by women in relation to both class and gender did not detract from or weigh down the story , as I had previously heard. I highly recommend it for the pure history buff, those interested in early fossil finds and also those who take an interest in women's struggles and eventual successes when they faced such suppression due to their gender. I was not surprised that I found the book so appealing, as I had read one of her previous novels.
Fossils, women in 1800, class division, God.
This is in remarkable contrast to Joan Thomas' Curiosity based on the same history & with many characters in common. How fascinating to realize the choices before an author facing the same historical documents! Whether or not paleontology is your 'thing' both are good reads.
I've read all of Chevalier's other books, and while this one is still a good read, it's a little weaker than the others. The treatment of early 19th century women in society and the early beginnings of palaeontology were interesting themes.
This book is really good, but can't compare with Girl with the Pearl Earring. If you can forget that earlier book, this is a very interesting read and brings the accomplishments of Mary Anning to the fore. I wish there was more to the relationship between the two women.
Great book, had never heard of Mary Anning and had no idea that a woman discovered some of the early fossils of prehistoric creatures.
great book....historical, mostly factual and very interesting....all about fossils.....loved it