It’s estimated that there are around 7.8 millions animal species on the planet, many of which we know little about. Unfortunately, some may vanish before we can learn much more – which is a pity, because the variety of life on this planet is far more wondrous and strange than anything our imaginations could conjure up.
This is a quiet and contemplative peek at the natural world in easy bite-sized installments. Each essay discusses an animal species which threatened in one way or another, covering a range of animals from those as seemingly ordinary as the hare to those as unusual and mysterious as the narwhal. Rundell’s writing is bright and playful but also entirely filled with awe – each chapter thrums with wonder.
I’ve always been an animal lover. Some of it is the overfamiliar cuddly fondness one can safely have only toward domestic animals (and I mean specifically my dog), but just a general admiration and interest in all our fellow denizens here on Planet Earth, all going about their business with little interference from us busybody humans – or so I’d thought when I was young.
It’s pretty obvious now that we cannot help but leave an outsized imprint on the natural world, for better or for worse. It’s still good to be reminded every so often of it. And I looked around with fresh eyes at all the wild creatures I see around me every day, and marveled anew.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.