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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
Having gleefully gone on a handful of long distance, self-supported bike tours, as well as being peripheral if not active in ecological justice movements, I loved this memoir. Sara Dykman literally brakes her heavy touring load to a halt and dismounts any time her keen eyes spot a living creature on the road that is in danger of becoming roadkill. Her compassion and diligent mission are truly inspiring.
Importantly, she discusses the issue of her privilege as a white woman at much more length than any allusions to being scared of predatory people. As she’s camping somewhere outside Minneapolis, she’s awakened and shooed off by police. She wonders if she were a Black man, how might people who see her setting up her tent might respond differently - would they call the cops? She contemplates being not far from where Philando Castile was gunned to death in his car by police as his girlfriend had to sit there calmly and still address the officer as “sir” after having shot him in front of their baby.
Importantly, she discusses the issue of her privilege as a white woman at much more length than any allusions to being scared of predatory people. As she’s camping somewhere outside Minneapolis, she’s awakened and shooed off by police. She wonders if she were a Black man, how might people who see her setting up her tent might respond differently - would they call the cops? She contemplates being not far from where Philando Castile was gunned to death in his car by police as his girlfriend had to sit there calmly and still address the officer as “sir” after having shot him in front of their baby.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Dykman's memoir of her bicycle journey along the migration route of the monarch butterfly is a very good travelogue and introduction to the monarch. Her trip is also about evangelizing to a broader community, and to making connections along the way. I enjoyed it for the most part, but did feel the author was a little self-righteous and/or precious at times (see: frequent stops to try and rescue bugs and amphibians crossing highways, lecturing people mowing roadside vegetation, complaining about people who asked her not to camp in church courtyards); not everyone has the luxury of making a pilgrimage (crusade?), and some of these complaints might have been better addressed towards people higher up in the food chain, so to speak.
Still, Dykman is a graceful writer and her passion shines through.
Still, Dykman is a graceful writer and her passion shines through.
The author follows the migration of the monarch butterfly solo on her bike - a kind of Tour de Monarchs - from Mexico, USA to Canada and back again.
Whilst the writing might not always be 4 star, the message certainly is. There is so much we can easily do with little or no effort to stop destroying the creatures of our planet, such as growing native plants or simply not mowing or paving over critical habitats, which might easily be our windowsills, verges or gardens. I was surprised by how difficult cycling can be with 200 mile detours needed because some US roads don't allow cyclists.
I also found her love for the other creatures she spots on her journey joyful and the (mostly) kindness of strangers.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Whilst the writing might not always be 4 star, the message certainly is. There is so much we can easily do with little or no effort to stop destroying the creatures of our planet, such as growing native plants or simply not mowing or paving over critical habitats, which might easily be our windowsills, verges or gardens. I was surprised by how difficult cycling can be with 200 mile detours needed because some US roads don't allow cyclists.
I also found her love for the other creatures she spots on her journey joyful and the (mostly) kindness of strangers.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was a beautiful ode to the majesty of monarch butterflies and one woman's amazing solo journey riding a bicycle over 10,000 miles following the migration trail from Mexico to Canada and back again. Full of fascinating details about monarch butterflies and how they are slowly losing the plants and land necessary to make the migration possible as well as insightful social commentary.
The author's dedication to educating school children and adults alike about why we should care about the butterflies shines through. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature/adventure memoirs written by passionate women in the vein of Finding the mother tree, To speak for the trees or Not on my watch. Excellent on audio narrated by Xe Sands, I was sad when this story ended!
Favorite quote:
"The monarchs could connect us all. Reminding us that we are all creatures that deserve to be seen as amazing."
The author's dedication to educating school children and adults alike about why we should care about the butterflies shines through. Highly recommended for anyone who loves nature/adventure memoirs written by passionate women in the vein of Finding the mother tree, To speak for the trees or Not on my watch. Excellent on audio narrated by Xe Sands, I was sad when this story ended!
Favorite quote:
"The monarchs could connect us all. Reminding us that we are all creatures that deserve to be seen as amazing."
A charming memoir that is sometimes cheesy, sometimes sweet, sometimes strange, and sometimes impactful. The stuff about caterpillars and butterflies was cool too, I guess.