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Reviews tagging 'Pandemic/Epidemic'
Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by Sy Montgomery
2 reviews
fuchsiarascal's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Disclaimer that I didn't completely finish this, I was at 91% when the audiobook from the library expired (and there's a long waitlist still), but it's enough, considering the type of book.
This book is about turtles, rehab, and conservation, but told through the lens of reporter Sy Montgomery as she volunteers with the Turtle Rescue League. While there's a lot of scientific information about turtles (and other wildlife, climate change, and more), it's mostly a book about feelings of working in turtle rescue. There are moments of info dumping, and I definitely learned a lot about turtles while reading this, but it goes well beyond the facts. This is a memoir first and foremost, and we feel Montgomery's feelings as she does. She doesn't hide the pain of losing a life just as she doesn't hide the joy of releasing hatchlings into the wild. It's a wonderful book, and I enjoyed it greatly.
(Yes, animal death does happen in this book, as is inevitable in animal rescue unfortunately, so take caution if you're sensitive to that. But she handles it with such respect and care that most readers should be okay.)
As a note, I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Montgomery herself, and her grief, hope, and excitement are heard clearly in her reading. You can almost hear her voice break as she recounts the death of a beloved turtle that she had bonded with and everyone thought would survive. I don't think anyone else could have done this audiobook justice. That said, I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it on audiobook: I know the printed book has many illustrations, and I can only imagine that they enhance the reading experience even more. I hope to find this book in a store one day so I can look through and see the illustrations myself.
This book is about turtles, rehab, and conservation, but told through the lens of reporter Sy Montgomery as she volunteers with the Turtle Rescue League. While there's a lot of scientific information about turtles (and other wildlife, climate change, and more), it's mostly a book about feelings of working in turtle rescue. There are moments of info dumping, and I definitely learned a lot about turtles while reading this, but it goes well beyond the facts. This is a memoir first and foremost, and we feel Montgomery's feelings as she does. She doesn't hide the pain of losing a life just as she doesn't hide the joy of releasing hatchlings into the wild. It's a wonderful book, and I enjoyed it greatly.
(Yes, animal death does happen in this book, as is inevitable in animal rescue unfortunately, so take caution if you're sensitive to that. But she handles it with such respect and care that most readers should be okay.)
As a note, I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Montgomery herself, and her grief, hope, and excitement are heard clearly in her reading. You can almost hear her voice break as she recounts the death of a beloved turtle that she had bonded with and everyone thought would survive. I don't think anyone else could have done this audiobook justice. That said, I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it on audiobook: I know the printed book has many illustrations, and I can only imagine that they enhance the reading experience even more. I hope to find this book in a store one day so I can look through and see the illustrations myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Grief
jenabest's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
What a wonderful, in depth exploration of turtles, the philosophy of time, and the impacts of both humans on the environment & COVID on society & nature. I enjoyed this much more than Soul of an Octopus, because it felt more focused on conservation & recovery efforts, rather than some questionable (and now outdated) treatment of animals.
You'll gain a new appreciation for turtles & a new level of disappointment in humans. The color photo section was a lovely addition.
You'll gain a new appreciation for turtles & a new level of disappointment in humans. The color photo section was a lovely addition.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Transphobia
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