Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

This is not only a fantastic book in terms of it being well written- which it is, in terms of gorgeous language, exquisite pacing and over all idea, theme and message- it also just comes across as so well thought out, considered, planned and, really, nurtured.

It felt like Elisabeth was writing pen-pal style to all the other chronically ill people in the world, with the details of her illness being quite vague for most of the book (because the book is not written for the drama and the devastation of the illness- to implore the able bodied and well to view disabled and chronically ill people with empathy, sympathy, or simply to look at us and remember at all) and it was really more focused of giving, the knowledge yes, but also just interesting tidbits from her days, the type of simple, gentle, uplifting details that make so much sense and are so easily digestible, that the rest of the population might dismiss as meaningless.
This quality in the writing is addressed in much more beautiful words than I can manage in the book by the author, and the book is just a wonderfully crafted, self contained masterpiece. Even down to the specifics of this edition- it's beautifully bound, hard cover, sits open by itself, with large-ish font and gorgeous illustrations. I doubt all of these details were so carefully thought out and asked to be executed by the author (as I've never really heard of that being the case) but, nevertheless, the entire book felt like it was singing from the same song sheet- giving the same message. It was thoughtful, kind and caring. A snail companion all on its own.

I'll put some quotes in spoilers for anyone who doesn't want to read anything beforehand of this short read, although they're not really spoilers...
'There is a certain depth of illness that is piercing in its isolation;the only rule of existence is uncertainty, and the only movement is the passage of time. One cannot bear to live through another loss of function, and sometimes friends and family cannot bear to watch. An unspoken, unbridgeable divide may widen. Even if you are still who you were, you cannot actually fully be who you are. Sometimes the people you know well withdraw, and then even the person you know as yourself begins to change'

And,

'A last look at the stars and then to sleep. Lots to do at whatever pace I can go. I must remember the snail. Always remember the snail.'

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12dejamoo's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

5.0

Oh this book was both joyous and gorgeously reflective. I kind of wanted to cry the whole time and not really from sadness. The prose isn't complicated, making it very readable and personal.

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versmonesprit's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

Bailey is a wonderful nature observer who writes with an unmatched sensibility that warms your heart and brings tears to your eyes. The vivid descriptions invoke lush forests, and Bailey’s sense of wonder compels the reader to delve deeper into the writings of naturalists, who are often quoted. The chapters are filled with information, and it’s true it sometimes hinders the flow of reading. But Bailey’s narration is so serene, her reflections on life, illness, and animals so therapeutic, this book is one everyone should keep to return to when in need of calming.

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studiolindsay's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

I loved the memoir aspects of this book, and reading about the relationship between Elizabeth and her snail, and how they kept each other company during a lonely and challenging time in Elizabeth's life. While I also enjoyed the scientific facts about snails in the middle of the book, that part read more like a research paper, and I thought the memoir elements at the beginning and end were the strongest and most beautiful aspects of the book. I'm glad I learned more about snails, but I wish that part had been shorter.

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chiaralzr's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

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climbingbookshelves's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

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