Remarkable Creatures

By: Tracy Chevalier

Narrated by: Charlotte Parry

Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A voyage of discovery, two remarkable women, and an extraordinary time and place enrich this New York Times best-selling novel by Tracy Chevalier, author of At the Edge of the Orchard and Girl With a Pearl Earring.

On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, poor and uneducated Mary Anning learns that she has a unique gift: "The eye" to spot fossils no one else can see. When she uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious community on edge, the townspeople to gossip, and the scientific world alight. After enduring bitter cold, thunderstorms, and landslips, her challenges only grow when she falls in love with an impossible man.

Mary soon finds an unlikely champion in prickly Elizabeth Philpot, a middle-class spinster who shares her passion for scouring the beaches. Their relationship strikes a delicate balance between fierce loyalty, mutual appreciation, and barely suppressed envy, but ultimately turns out to be their greatest asset.
Remarkable Creatures is a stunning historical novel that follows the story of two extraordinary 19th century fossil hunters who changed the scientific world forever.

©2010 Tracy Chevalier (P)2010 Penguin

Great way to learn about some incredible women!

Love this book, I looked up Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philbot, and read about them as I went through the book, great scientists who are finally getting some of the recognition they deserve! highly recommend the book.

WOW@

It's been a while since I listened to a book I absolutely loved! I want to start it over and listen to it again. I want to recommend it to all that I know who love a good read. This is the first novel by Tracy Chevalier that I have read. Charlotte Parry did a superb job narrating.

Fossils and Women's Roles in 1820 England

If science, particularly the origination of our understanding of dinosaurs and the theory of extinction, bores you, you will have trouble getting through this book. There is a lot of information about how fossils were first discovered in Lyme Regis, England (all true), and the difficulties some people (particularly religious people) had in believing in what these bones represented.

BUT it is also a story of friendship and of the first hints of women's rights. It is hard for my children to imagine a world in which a decent woman couldn't walk anywhere alone and wasn't allowed to join the geological society, but also all true.

I enjoyed the characters, and I do recommend this book.

Because I prefer mysteries with suspense and drama, it was a little tame for me, but is stiil well worth reading.

LOVED THIS BOOK

I was so entraptured by the story of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. The fact that they are real life characters made this book so much more intrigueing and entertaining. The narrators do a fantastic job of depicting the characters. A great book, highly recommended!

A unique story and well read

Would you listen to Remarkable Creatures again? Why?

I would listen to Remarkable Creatures again because of the uniqueness of the story in combination of the fact that the characters are real historical people. The voicing is wonderfully done, especially for the two main characters, Mary and Elizabeth. The Jane Austen references and setting of the story add another aspect of complexity - that the women butt against social conventions of the time. There is a nicely paced developmental evolution of the characters as the book progresses. This becomes evident as their discoveries become more remarkable and they must confront the male dominated world of science as well as fight for the monetary value of their discoveries.

Takes you back in time.

I enjoyed this book as it really brings you to the scene of the small Wales village. Insight into the status women held and the social issues they faced. Charlotte Parry was an excellent narrator. Loved the accent.

A great experience

An all-round enjoyable read. The narration is just perfect for the story.

woman finds dinosaur bones

I enjoyed this novel very much. An unusual story. Leads with the imagination.

remarkable women

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, I don't know what made me buy this book at first. it is totllay not a book I would normally pick but I am glad it made its way into my library.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Remarkable Creatures?

There was two times where the friendship of mary and elizabeth was tested and it was revealed that Elizabeth was a very loyal friend.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Mary and Captain Curie got caught in a landslide was a very heartwrenching moment.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

actually I did want to hear what happened next. The narration by thw two different women is very beautifully done. I would never have picked this book because I would have thought it to be maudlin andoverly sentimental and or Romantic. it was none of those things. It was a great story about smart women trying to survive without a man. I am sure it is easier today but I can relate being somewhat of a spinster myself. However Elizabeth never felt sorry for herself rather embraced the fact that her situation allowed her to do things other " ladies" could not.

This book was well presented, touch many of todays social issues in a very interesting and non confrontational manner. I

This book was a delight to listen to… it brought forth many of the social issues women strive with today. And, highlights the pride and prejudices all humans have to conquer both individually and collectively.