Strange Company

By: Jean Ryan

Narrated by: Nikiya Palombi

In Strange Company, a delightful collection of short essays, Jean Ryan brings us closer to the natural world. From lizards to lady bugs, from the inscrutable sloth to the resplendent quetzal, Ryan reveals some of our commonalities with earth's creatures and hints at the lessons we might learn from them.

Do lizards fall in love? What do sloths think about all day? Why is the blood of a horseshoe crab so valuable? Do starlings flock for fun? Can a parrot serve as a therapist? Do turtles ever grow bored with their long lives? Why would a crow foster a kitten? Can snails be fearless?

These are just a few of the questions Ryan poses in Strange Company as she invites the listener on a wild journey through land, sea and sky. While these essays acknowledge our responsibility to Mother Nature, the insights they offer are affirmative and heartening. With her precise, elegant prose, Ryan draws us into the tantalizing world of animals and their oddities.

©2017 Jean Ryan (P)2017 MadeMark Publishing

Amazing and inspiring

Incredible stories of the wonders of nature. Jean Ryan's insights are inspiring and beautifully expressed. Nikiya Palombi's narration was clear and expressive. I really enjoyed hearing this book.

Reflections of Wonderful and Amazing Animals

What made the experience of listening to Strange Company the most enjoyable?

I wasn't sure what to expect... Is it about cute animals bonding like on Animal Planet?There IS some of that. But it's much more. It is deeper, why animal behavior reflects meaning to so many. It does so without projecting traits identified as "human" onto the different species. I got a lot of information that I didn't know.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of the animals were portrayed positively. I can't suggest any favorite.

Which character – as performed by Nikiya Palombi – was your favorite?

I was hesitant with Niklya's narration... only for about the first minute! The essays flowed, and she became an intricate part of my enjoyment of this book.

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

It isn't a long book and the pace flows from subject to subject very well. I will be relistening soon. It's that interesting and well read

Any additional comments?

I listen to a lot of audio books and every once in awhile.one really grabs me. This is one of that kind. Not in my usual range of listening material. Very good though!This copy was provided at no charge by Mark McNease, one of favorite authors. I'm happy to provide an honest review. Voluntarily, I think I'm suppose to disclose.

No Animals were harmed in the writing or narration of this work!!!! LOL

A delightful little book 🐒

This book was informative and entertaining.
I learned so much about the awesome creatures that inhabit our world.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review.
I recommend this book for anyone who has a love for the lil critters 🐞

Fascinating and Beautiful

This is a really interesting, inspiring, and informative documentary book, beautifully brought to life by Nikiya Palombi. If you are interested in the animal kingdom and in human nature, you will love this!

Interesting tales of nature and history

Strange company appeared to be and initially introduced itself as a romp through tales of animal companions of disparate natures. It quickly devolved into random yet interesting tales of various animals, historical caves etc. I thoroughly enjoyed it though I give the 4 stars as it was not the tale I expected from the title, the cover or from the introduction. Had it been the tale portrayed or has the portrayal been presented differently then I would have provided 5 stars. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.