The Animal Dialogues – Uncommon Encounters in the Wild
by Craig Childs
Published by Little, Brown and Company
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Reviewed by Al Olsen
Have you ever wondered about the history of the mountain goat in the continental United States? Or why the rancher who is trying to decrease the coyote population on his ranch seems to only get more coyote pups? These two questions and many, many more are explained in this wonderfully written book by author Craig Childs. His usage of the English language is eloquent, to say the least. This is top-quality writing from a sharp observer who describes himself as a naturalist or adventurist.
This book is a collection of thirty-seven essays of varying lengths. They are all personal encounters covering topics from mosquitoes to bears. Most of them are reflections written about these animals in the wild, in varying locations like the Sonora Desert in Mexico, or the Yukon River. He also wrote an interesting piece about birds flying into and out of the twin beams where the World Trade Center once stood.
One of the most distinctive aspects of his style of writing is the way that he plays with words and puts them opposite words that are unusual. Here is an example from his essay on the rainbow trout that clearly shows the fun that he has in describing it. “The motions that followed the length of its body caused great momentum. It moved as if it were solid energy prepared to erupt but satisfied with remaining in one place for a short time. It was as if water had taken a concrete a form and speckled itself with lavenders and reds.”
Some of the more interesting pieces of trivia were cleverly disguised in his essay on porcupines. For instance, a porcupine’s digestive system is nearly a third of its body weight. Then he goes on to talk about the quills. There is a greasy layer of fatty acid that coats the quill. A researcher discovered that this substance is mostly palmitic acid, which is a strong antibiotic as effective as penicillin. This is fascinating stuff!
This book would challenge high school students to expand their vocabulary–or for anyone who enjoys animals. A fun, educational, and delightful read!
Armchair Interviews says: Highly recommended.
Author’s Web site: http://www.HouseofRain.com