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katlizlove's review against another edition
5.0
The sincerest review I can give is that this book was like getting to know your very best friend. I cried on an airplane, a couple of times, but am so glad I had the opportunity to experience this sweetly, unique story.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Book on CD narrated by Stacey Glemboski
Subtitle: An Uncommon Friendship
From the book jacket: When Catherine Raven finished her PhD in biology, she built herself a tiny cottage on an isolated plot of land in Montana. She was as emotionally isolated as she was physically, but she viewed the house as a temporary rest stop where she could gather her nerves and fill out applications for what she hoped would be a real job that would help her fit into society. In the meantime, she taught remotely and led field classes in nearby Yellowstone National Park. Then one day she realized that a mangy-looking fox was showing up on her property every afternoon at 4:15 p.m.
My reactions
I loved this memoir. Raven had some issues and talking to Fox helped her sort through where she had been, where she was, and where she was going. I loved that she chose to read The Little Prince aloud to Fox, drawing comparisons between her own situation and that the Little Prince (and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). And isn’t this what friendship is all about?
I loved how she approached nature, the way she observed and absorbed the beauty and wonder of the various life forms around her. And I appreciated the information she imparted about voles, birds, trees, deer, dogs and, of course, foxes.
Stacey Glemboski does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook, but I did find myself going back and reading several chapters in text. I think I like the reading experience better than listening for this work.
Subtitle: An Uncommon Friendship
From the book jacket: When Catherine Raven finished her PhD in biology, she built herself a tiny cottage on an isolated plot of land in Montana. She was as emotionally isolated as she was physically, but she viewed the house as a temporary rest stop where she could gather her nerves and fill out applications for what she hoped would be a real job that would help her fit into society. In the meantime, she taught remotely and led field classes in nearby Yellowstone National Park. Then one day she realized that a mangy-looking fox was showing up on her property every afternoon at 4:15 p.m.
My reactions
I loved this memoir. Raven had some issues and talking to Fox helped her sort through where she had been, where she was, and where she was going. I loved that she chose to read The Little Prince aloud to Fox, drawing comparisons between her own situation and that the Little Prince (and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry). And isn’t this what friendship is all about?
I loved how she approached nature, the way she observed and absorbed the beauty and wonder of the various life forms around her. And I appreciated the information she imparted about voles, birds, trees, deer, dogs and, of course, foxes.
Stacey Glemboski does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook, but I did find myself going back and reading several chapters in text. I think I like the reading experience better than listening for this work.
anpu325's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful and moving book about the intimate relationships between humans and nature. Fox was a vibrant presence on the page and I could clearly visualize the animals and landscapes that were described. Raven did a great job of making nature accessible and interesting to a non-specialist audience. I was struck however by the total absence of any mention of indigenous people at all in this book. The relationship is between the author and an empty, pristine landscape. No mention at all is made of the genocide that emptied out this landscape in the first place. In turning to myths about foxes, I found it surprising that the author focused on Japanese legends about foxes instead of drawing on indigenous American oral traditions since she was writing about foxes in the American west. While her prose and the story she told was beautiful and lively, I find the absence of even a token mention of indigenous peoples in a book discussing the American natural landscape and the relationship of humans to that landscape to be a huge blind spot.
fishky's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of beautiful moments, but the end left me feeling empty and sad.
flowchelle's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Very cute story although quite Pretentious at times! Overall appreciated the poetic nature of the authors writing! Definitely was giving sand county almanac vibes! As a mature loving, biologist myself…I could easily tolerate all of the jargon and descriptions but don’t think it is something that all layman would enjoy!
aranafyre's review against another edition
3.0
My biggest complaint about this book is the underlying premise that most humans believe that wild animals do not have personality and motivations behind their actions. The author spends a lot of time being embarrassed by and then defending her friendship with Fox. I was just annoyed because I was already on board with Fox being an individual with a personality.
Her writing was beautiful and it made me long for truly wild nature which I have not wandered in for far too long.
Her writing was beautiful and it made me long for truly wild nature which I have not wandered in for far too long.
jwave08's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
This is not for everyone. And I am not sure if it was for me. But it did have me keep turning the page, finding out more. About 2/3 in I got really invested. Part of that is what life has brought; but still had me engaged.
Not for everyone. Boy, did I try to make this form me.
Not for everyone. Boy, did I try to make this form me.
arrowleaf's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
It's been a long time since I was moved to write down quotes from a book.