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cover
4.5 

Title: Remarkable Creatures
Authors: Chevalier, Tracy
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 352
Year: 2009
ISBN-10(13): 9780007311170
Language: English
Description: Set in England in the early 19th Century, this is the story of remarkable creatures: Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot, passionate fossil collectors; and the fossils themselves, significant signposts in the developing understanding of evolution. Based on real characters and scientific events, this gentle paced story allows the reader to painlessly absorb an interesting history lesson. [Larger font]

Comments from Groups:

Such an interesting subject brought forth many topics to discuss: male/female roles, fossils, Darwin, female clothing etc. Newport 003

Group found the book very interesting from an historical perspective, including the effect of the finding of fossils on the church, the lot of women in those days and the stratification of society. We also enjoyed the writing style of the author. Nelson 007

This was a unanimous discussion towards a very good book. A good author and book. Napier 021

Most group enjoyed the book. Good story. Nicely developed characters. Lively discussion with mixed feelings regarding the history of fossils. Invercargill 017

Great stroy enjoyed by all members. Well researched capturing that period of histoy in England. Tauranga 015

Categories: Fiction, Faction, Historical, Science & Technology, England, Larger font

Reviews

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By: WHAKA 021 2024-07-11 07:38:21
3.5 
Who would have thought that shell collecting could be so interesting!

By: ASHB 004 2023-07-24 12:36:56
3.5 
We enjoyed the book - provided lively discussion. A fairly easy read, but the issues of gender and religion were handled well.

By: OXF 001 2023-07-24 12:16:03
4.5 
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this month's book. As we are an all female group, a lot of the discussion was around the treatment of women 200 years ago, also religion and science. Discussion was passionate with everyone contributing. Thank you - we enjoyed the book and sharing views and learning from each other.

By: BRIGHT 002 2023-07-24 12:10:01
3.5 
Everyone in the group enjoyed the book to varying degrees. No one didn't enjoy it. It was quite a light read, that brought to light a topic and a time in history no-one in the group really knew about until now.

By: TAUR 004 2023-07-24 12:04:42
4.5 
A fascinating historical story brought to life. A very enjoyable read.

By: BLENH 003 2023-07-24 12:03:28
4 
Everyone enjoyed the book which is beautifully written. We all found it most interesting as regards the fossils and learned so much about the findings. We also found the questions helpful and would like to do more research. Where can we do this kind of fossil finding in N.Z?

By: SPRIN 001 2023-07-24 12:01:26
4 
Lots of good discussion about fossils, religion, society, travel in the early 129th century, history and historical novels.

By: NEWP 016 2023-07-24 11:58:58
5 
We all enjoyed this book. The characters were richly drawn, the story well constructed, and we all learnt a lot.

By: DUNED 102 2023-07-24 11:57:49
4 
As academic women, we found 'Remarkable Creatures' very interesting and realise how lucky we are not to live back then.

By: AUCK 133 2023-07-24 11:55:28
5 
Very well-written, and an incredibly interesting topic, we learnt a lot about paleontology in the 1800s. Fabulous characterisation. Tracy Chevalier is a masterful writer who transports the reader. There is much to provoke thought and discussion - the class system, the role of women, life in the 1800s, what happened to unmarried women? We really liked this book!

By: MOTUE 002 2023-07-24 11:49:26
4.5 
Everyone enjoyed this interesting story.

By: HAMIL 065 2023-07-24 11:48:32
4 
A sweet, nice, easy and interesting read.

By: GORE 001 2023-07-24 11:47:37
4 
An enjoyable read, although some readers were uncomfortable with the melding of fact and fiction. Very well-written with issues of relationships, expectations and restrictions carefully described. Made us all realise how far women have come.

By: HAMIL 050 2023-07-24 11:43:29
4.5 
Enjoyed by all.

 
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