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

Exceptional story, perfectly narrated.

Fascinating exploration of the role of women in 19th century science. Will be equally interesting to fans of Jane Austen as fans of Simon Winchester. The narrator's performance is flawless. Highly recommended.

Enjoyed this one

I really enjoy stories with complex relationships between female characters and this one didn't disappoint.

Unforgettable Women

This is the remarkable story of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot based on their TRUE lives. They are two strong women who form an unlikely friendship, based on a shared interest in fossil collecting. I felt as if transported in time to join these two unforgettable characters on their quest. Tracy Chevalier should be commended for giving these two historical figures their due. Thank you ladies.

Good read, thought provoking

I became interested after coming across a news article on a fossil specimen found by Mary Anning that remains one of the most complete found to date. This story is fascinating, sad, insightful and a unique glance into society in the 1800’s. I found the struggles experienced by the protagonists both poignant and sadly resonant of the struggles women still face today. While our understanding of fossils has evolved since Annings time, there remains bigotry, prejudice, exclusion, and suspicion that made elements of the novel hit home. I did find parts a bit histrionic and I echo other reviewers who stated a greater desire for a touch more science. Overall worth a read.

Not just another love story

Wonderful writing, characters you can care about and interesting and different subject matter, well worth reading.

Awesome book!!

Absolutely loved it. Narration was superb, story line kept me fascinated and it was extremely well written. Highly recommend this book as a fascinating tale of early fossil discoveries and the difficulties that intelligent women faced back then.

19th century status of women is now a fossil

The best part of this story is a friendship between two women inspite of differences in their social status. What I take away from this book, is the desire to continue to celebrate the development of western civilization. It was many years in the making, but women now have the freedom of choice in how they want to live their lives. And we continue to strive to improve. Elizabeth and Mary are the Remarkable Creatures , buried in a man's world, destined to be fossils. And yet they dug themselves into a passionate pursuit of knowledge and the past, despite the cruel restrictions of their society's way of life.

Great Book

Had to read for a class and loved it. I wish there was a movie for it so that I can watch.

Absolutely Perfect!

This book deserves more than just 5 stars!!! I'm so in love with this story! It's so well written! I even didn't want to finish the book! It's like being there, with Mary Anning and Elizabeth on the beach and looking for fossils. This summer I'm going to visit Lyme Regis for the first time. I wanted to learn more about Mary Anning. Now, after listening to this fantastic audiobook I couldn't be more prepared.

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.