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181 reviews for:
Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration
Sara Dykman
3.73 AVERAGE
181 reviews for:
Bicycling with Butterflies: My 10,201-Mile Journey Following the Monarch Migration
Sara Dykman
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
I was happy to finally have a reason to read this book that had been waiting for purchase on that ever-growing TBR/TBB (to be bought) list, and while initially the book was enjoyable it did at times drag on and on, develop a slower pace that lulled me to sleep a few times. I'd say I enjoyed a solid 80-85% of this book. Towards the end, and a few times sprinkled throughout, it seemed like Sara was repeating herself. Yes, okay, I know people keep being concerned and worrying and that your experience has helped you differentiate between paranoia and valid concern. Yes, we know that every conversation lends a hand in others being involved; that you enjoy the stays with friends as equally as the days alone behind churches, government offices, or in empty fields. We understand that each time it was time to leave children that the "leaving was not easy." Parts of the book were just repetitive, and some parts that were more scientific lagged on a little more than I think is necessary for a casual reader. That said, with so many scientific terms and explanations as well as encounters and presentations, I do think this would benefit from a few photos. Similar journeys often a few pages of photos in the middle of the text, and I think that would have offered a longer lasting impact on many of us readers. There was also a lot of anger about people and biking, in equal parts as there was anger about the devastation and destruction of the monarchs and their habitats, about lost little critters along the roads. While I appreciate the candid approach, there was more emphasis on the anger and hurt than on the hopefulness, the inspiration. A 10,000+ bike journey is incredible and certainly inspiring but I thought there'd be more of it in the actual story. The biggest let down, though, was the ending. Since the book wasn't being published in real time, there was no reason for the abrupt ending. Wow, what a feat to travel such a distance (mostly) alone. After so many repeated conversations on the monarchs, on milkweed, on conservation I figured there would be a celebration at the end. But a quiet congratulations among a few friends before a solitary nod of appreciation about returning to the starting point is all we got. Our author opted for the lesser side of her "so much to say... and nothing to say at all," fourth to last sentence. So much focus into all the other aspects of the journey, yet this grand finale falls flat. All we know is that when she arrives there are millions. Is the simplicity because of the awe inspiring sight, because of the exhaustion endured over 250 days, or because someone doesn't know how to end a story?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-paced
i like bicycling, i like butterflies. i liked that this was a connection of the people who are working to protect the monarchs and less about the hard science of monarchs themselves (though there was plenty of it). however, as a leave no trace kinda gal myself i did not always think she was camping in the most responsible ways. i’m all for trespassing and in some ways i was like heck yeah go for it and at other points i was like you know what i think perhaps this section of the park said no camping for a reason. so that bothered me, but i thought overall the writing and message were very good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
I can't remember how I learned about this book, but it's just my cup of tea. An epic, car-free journey following the migratory loop of the monarch butterfly, undertaken to raise awareness about conservation and habitat loss with commentary about community and culture and privilege... it's like the many thru-hiking books I've enjoyed just with a purpose broader than self-discovery. And on a bike. I'll definitely be gifting some copies of this one.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
i think this did for me what wild (a book i absolutely hated) did for other people.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced