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

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.

Remarkable Creatures is one of my favorite books.

This book reminds us of so many things that affect our lives as women. I came late to my facisation with digging for dinosaurs and actually visiting many places that have satisfied with looking down to find the treasures that they are.
Ms. Chevalier brings the story of two strong women that through their lives learn to stand up for themselves and each other. Mary Anning is a woman that I look up to.

Loved it! I finished this so quickly.

This is book is one of my favorites now. I Love all the Characters, and the Narration was really great. I hope to find others like this. I felt like I was right there on the beach digging for fossils too. This is a must read.

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.

Enjoyable Read

Where does Remarkable Creatures rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

I enjoyed this historical fiction about Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot in their search for fossils on the shores of England in the early 1800's. The story was alternately told by both women as it revealed the prevailing attitudes of the scientific community against women. We take so much for granted in our day and age. Back in the early 1800's, people were driven by class and convention. It was unheard of a woman to leave the house alone. It was necessary for her to be accompanied by other women or by a man.

I grew up about 40 miles away from Dinosaur Provincial Park in Southern Alberta and spent many happy hours searching for fossils, climbing hills, and picking cactus spears out of my feet. Perhaps that is why this book appealed to me. I could relate to joys of hunting fossils.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narration by Charlotte Parry. She gave distinctive voices to each of her characters. I've added her to my list of favorite narrators.

Unique!

Unique story, and very well-read! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and was sorry when it ended.

Unusual warm hearted story

Unlike most historical dramas this one is neither a romance or a mystery, but instead a tale of the development of a deep friendship between two women of different classes who share a common interest. They are fossil hunters at the dawn of the study of archeology. This novel subject is refreshing. Well written, both in verbal style and structure. The reader never fully knows what will happen next. The performances of the two readers make it come alive.