From the New York Times bestselling novelist, a stunning historical novel that follows the story of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot, two extraordinary 19th century fossil hunters who changed the scientific world forever. On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, poor and uneducated Mary learns that she has a unique gift: “the eye” to spot ammonites and other fossils no one … and other 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, 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.
From the author of At the Edge of the Orchard and Girl With a Pearl Earring comes this incredible story of two remarkable women and their voyage of discovery.
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I’ve always been interested in Mary Anning, the woman who found so many fossils in and around Lyme Regis in England. This fictionalization of her life was easy to read and made her fascination into something utterly relatable. A nice picture of the period and also of the conflict that such finds created in scientific and religious minds. Also–after I finished the book, I heard that there is going to be a movie made. Looking forward to that too, and hope they do the book justice.
If you enjoy historical fiction and also books about women who are doing things that weren’t socially acceptable during certain time periods, you will love this book. I like all of T. C.’s books (at least the 4 that I’ve read) and this one is just as good. You will find yourself rooting for the MC and wanting the people around her to realize that she has something to say that’s worth listening to. You will feel the MC’s frustration as her ideas are dismissed because of the time period. Great story.
This book brings little known history to life. So informative and seemingly accurate account of this important early female scientist.
A very interesting book on a topic I knew nothing about.
I really enjoyed this one, but the story progressed at a nice pace, and then,bang, it was over. Good read.
I confess I picked up this book for two reasons: the cover, which reminds me of the California coastline, and Chevalier’s bestseller Girl With The Pearl Earring. Once again, Chevalier creates original and absorbing heroines. Mary Anning is fascinated by fossils and one day finds an extremely puzzling one. But she lives in a world dominated by men of science who dismiss her. The only one who takes her seriously is an eccentric spinster. The growing bond between these two strong-willed women is the real “remarkable creature” of this novel.
Brought science to life.
A light, but interesting story about the beginning of paleontology.
I found it to be very interesting with a subject matter I new nothing about. Tracy writes so very well with captivating but down to earth characters. The background settings are wonderful. Love her books!!!!
I think it is her best book.
Here’s another historical novel from Tracy Chevalier (Girl With a Pearl Earring, The Lady And the Unicorn, others) that I found interesting, though not compelling. It’s the carefully researched story of two British women who played key and largely forgotten roles in the discovery of multiple dinosaur skeletons in the English coastal town of Lyme Regis. Awarded three stars on Goodreads.
In the early 19th century, most people, even those who were highly educated, believed the Bible was the best accounting of history. God created the Earth in seven days as a sort of fixed entity that never changed. Concepts like evolution and species extinction were not yet part of mainstream discussion. Nor were women considered suitable for any kind of scientific inquiry.
Nevertheless, here come Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. Mary is a child of poverty, who has a knack for spotting fossils along the beach. Elizabeth is a middle class “spinster” with an interest in fish fossils. Initially, they believe they are collecting the remains of species that still live.
Despite their different backgrounds, their shared interests create a strong bond and Elizabeth becomes a kind of protector for Mary. Many more famous and recognized fossil collectors (all male, of course) come and go, buying Mary’s fossils for nominal fees and then (surprise, surprise!) taking credit for their discovery.
But when Mary discovers several complete skeletons of much larger beings (eventually identified as Plesiosaurus and Ichthyosaurs), she and Elizabeth are among the first to notice that these remains seem different than any creatures that still live. Trying to get others to consider that possibility means going against the established scientific and religious orders of the day.
Their struggle to gain recognition as amateur paleontologists — for both their ideas and work — is really the center of this story. That sounds fascinating, right? But somehow it came off as a bit on the dry side to me.
I enjoyed learning about yet another example where women played an important, but uncredited role, in some major human discovery. One that is later ascribed to “scientific” MEN of learning. No shortage of these stories around these days.
One interesting aspect that DID hold my attention throughout was the way class dominated British society in everyday life. Who you were allowed to socialize with? Who was proper to invite to your home? Who was considered too far below you to acknowledge when passing on the street? And, of course, what women were allowed to do on their own, especially if unchaperoned? It is clear that a big part of getting Mary any recognition had to do with her humble origins.
If you have an interest in the subject matter you may enjoy this one. It’s not a long book. And you WILL no doubt learn something new. I just wish the book had done a better job of communicating the drama inherent to this story.
Loved this book. It brings information about early fossil discovery on the English coast, and reminds one of the place women held in that period. Easy to read and follow the story line. Based on real people and actual discoveries, this is informative and entertaining.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It reveals how the accomplishments of those not fully vested in our society can so easily be usurped by the powerful and monied classes.
The story itself is enchanting, however at times I felt great anxiety over the fate of the characters.
I have recommended this book to several friends. I am richer for its reading.
Gripping story about 2 real-life female amateur scientists in the 19th century! LOVED IT!
Ms. Chevalier has done it again. Her characters and their setting came to life for me. Beautifully written.
About fossils and the people long ago who hunted and collected them. A good period piece.
Interesting characters and based on true person
I am always searching for female role models from the past. And these two are inspiring and dogged in their interest in fossils.
What a wonderful story that Tracy has given us. The details of finding fossils to creatures that we never knew existed. To introduce us to Mary Anning, the first women to be known as the Fossil Hunter. I couldn’t put this book down.
I have spent 50 years reading great books as fast as I can but I have seldom turned pages as quickly and happily as I did with this book! The characters were just wonderful and I was shocked to learn that the women I was reading about were real people! She did such a great job writing this book, I loved everything about it including the locale.