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curiousreader's review
3.0
Peter Marren’s “Rainbow Dust” is an historical account of British men and women’s fascination with butterflies, in the shape of among other things: collecting, study, and conservation of the species. While the book does talk of the butterfly on its own - the changes in butterfly colonies and living situations, the species dying out or returning - the main focus lies with the human’s of the stories. The first part of this book goes into the collecting of butterflies as an activity. Marren relates to his own experience as a boy and many others growing up during the same or earlier eras of butterfly collecting as a past-time, as a hobby, as any other collecting or for grander ideas such as the development of science through the study of butterflies. At least a third of the book is given over to butterfly collecting followed by a discussion on the study of butterflies which understandably goes hand in hand. A second part of the book goes into the meaning of butterflies, the symbols of butterflies in literature, art, and history. What purpose have they served for us humans, what significance do these flying creatures of color represent to us? One of the people mentioned within this part is Nabokov, also known as a butterfly collector, and some parallels are made to the way Nabokov writes especially in his novel 'Lolita', using butterfly metaphors. The idea of butterflies as representing the soul is another interesting discussion that for me gave light to many other works of art or media, in the way butterflies have been used as the soul or as the essence of life. The last part of the book focuses in on the conservation of butterflies, the ongoing battle in trying to save, protect, and in some cases re-introduce species of butterflies already or on the point of extinction. As a bonus, this part of the book raises questions of the way humans and butterflies have and can co-exist and co-habit the world, and what that really means in concrete terms.
I was a little skeptical about reading an entire book on an insect, my interest in predators I felt has been fairly well-established for most of my life but insects just hasn't grabbed my attention the same way. Butterflies have sort of been the exception, although after having read this book I'm on the look-out for more entomological nonfiction, I definitely haven't had enough! That said, there's a lot to find of interest in Rainbow Dust even if you're not necessarily an animal lover or a lover of butterflies in particular. As mentioned above, a great part of this book focuses on the scientific development of the study of nature, of animals, and how the study of butterflies lead to some interesting and important break-throughs in other parts of scientific research. One aspect of butterflies that has been of particular interest is the process of evolution, from larvae to a full blown butterfly. Another aspect of butterflies that is possibly a greater reason for butterflies' popularity is the colors and intricate patterns on their wings. Among my personal favorites are the Swallowtail, the Monarch, Black-veined White, Bath White, etc. How can one not feel in awe of these specimen?
One of the interesting parts I found in the butterfly collectors/study discussion was the many women who much earlier than convention would allow were active in the development of entomology and butterfly collecting. One of the main deciding factors it seems for such a role were first and foremost money and independence, second an profound admiration and interest for the species. One such person mentioned is Miriam Rothschild who Marren also writes, was part of his inspiration to write this book in the first place. I would gladly read an entire book on her alone.
I really enjoyed the discussion on the butterfly as a symbol for other things, like the soul, or even the mythology surrounding certain butterfly species or the animal on the whole. For example Marren mentions a few specific paintings where the butterfly is supposedly used as a symbol for temptation, others where it's used as a symbol for death.
While much of the discussion on butterfly collection, study, art and symbolism, even the conservation, was fascinating and rewarding, I would say the portrayal of butterfly collecting isn't exactly balanced. I felt like much of the reason this part got such a large section of the book wasn't completely because of its importance for the study but largely due to Marren's wish in justifying the practice, showing it's positive sides so that a lack of such positivity wouldn't lead the reader to lean towards the negative. While I wouldn't say butterfly collecting was a practice of evil or anything of the like, nor would I say the book falls because of this particular bias, but I would just like to bring it to light for future readers. If you're looking for a more balanced view of butterfly collecting, its role in the loss of butterfly species, extinction and the like, this isn't it.
Another thing I'd say as a complaint of the book is again not necessarily a deciding factor against it. As I've said, the book focuses heavily on the human's of the stories even though the butterflies are clearly acting their parts in the book. From the title "Three centuries of Delight in British Butterflies" you might get the impression, as I did, that there would be more discussion on the actual butterflies, and towards the latter third or so this is certainly true. I suppose I felt like the book had less of a strict intent throughout, so that instead the book would shift between points of subjects all circling around butterflies and human's relationship with them, but not quite getting to the butterfly nature until the last part. In fact the natural history in terms of butterfly behavior and eating habits, sleeping habits, etc. wasn't really dealt with until the appendix. But again, I wouldn't say it's necessarily a make-it-or-break it sort of situation, more that it wasn't quite what I was expecting although I ended up enjoying it all the same. The appendix made up for the lack of direct description of butterflies, and I'm sure there's many other books that go into butterflies nature and behavior in more depth, just that this book doesn't serve that purpose.
Lastly I'll say the main problem I had, which did in fact take away from enjoyment and appreciation for it but that wasn't so much Marren's fault: the lack of illustrations throughout the book. The chapter headings each had an illustration of a butterfly but the name of the butterfly included wasn't given so as a reader unfamiliar with different butterfly species it was hard to keep track of different species. If not possible for butterfly illustrations for each mention of a species (or the first mention of it in ongoing text) at least the appendix could've had an illustration for each species that is described as a sort of encyclopedia to flick back and forth while reading. It's possibly a small detail but it would've made such a difference for me. One design thing this book does have in its favor though is an extensive index, almost 20 pages long. Hooray for publishers realizing indexes are invaluable!
All in all, not the be-all-end-all of butterfly nonfiction but nevertheless an interesting exploration of human's relationship with butterflies both past and present, and where we'll go from here.
I was a little skeptical about reading an entire book on an insect, my interest in predators I felt has been fairly well-established for most of my life but insects just hasn't grabbed my attention the same way. Butterflies have sort of been the exception, although after having read this book I'm on the look-out for more entomological nonfiction, I definitely haven't had enough! That said, there's a lot to find of interest in Rainbow Dust even if you're not necessarily an animal lover or a lover of butterflies in particular. As mentioned above, a great part of this book focuses on the scientific development of the study of nature, of animals, and how the study of butterflies lead to some interesting and important break-throughs in other parts of scientific research. One aspect of butterflies that has been of particular interest is the process of evolution, from larvae to a full blown butterfly. Another aspect of butterflies that is possibly a greater reason for butterflies' popularity is the colors and intricate patterns on their wings. Among my personal favorites are the Swallowtail, the Monarch, Black-veined White, Bath White, etc. How can one not feel in awe of these specimen?
One of the interesting parts I found in the butterfly collectors/study discussion was the many women who much earlier than convention would allow were active in the development of entomology and butterfly collecting. One of the main deciding factors it seems for such a role were first and foremost money and independence, second an profound admiration and interest for the species. One such person mentioned is Miriam Rothschild who Marren also writes, was part of his inspiration to write this book in the first place. I would gladly read an entire book on her alone.
I really enjoyed the discussion on the butterfly as a symbol for other things, like the soul, or even the mythology surrounding certain butterfly species or the animal on the whole. For example Marren mentions a few specific paintings where the butterfly is supposedly used as a symbol for temptation, others where it's used as a symbol for death.
While much of the discussion on butterfly collection, study, art and symbolism, even the conservation, was fascinating and rewarding, I would say the portrayal of butterfly collecting isn't exactly balanced. I felt like much of the reason this part got such a large section of the book wasn't completely because of its importance for the study but largely due to Marren's wish in justifying the practice, showing it's positive sides so that a lack of such positivity wouldn't lead the reader to lean towards the negative. While I wouldn't say butterfly collecting was a practice of evil or anything of the like, nor would I say the book falls because of this particular bias, but I would just like to bring it to light for future readers. If you're looking for a more balanced view of butterfly collecting, its role in the loss of butterfly species, extinction and the like, this isn't it.
Another thing I'd say as a complaint of the book is again not necessarily a deciding factor against it. As I've said, the book focuses heavily on the human's of the stories even though the butterflies are clearly acting their parts in the book. From the title "Three centuries of Delight in British Butterflies" you might get the impression, as I did, that there would be more discussion on the actual butterflies, and towards the latter third or so this is certainly true. I suppose I felt like the book had less of a strict intent throughout, so that instead the book would shift between points of subjects all circling around butterflies and human's relationship with them, but not quite getting to the butterfly nature until the last part. In fact the natural history in terms of butterfly behavior and eating habits, sleeping habits, etc. wasn't really dealt with until the appendix. But again, I wouldn't say it's necessarily a make-it-or-break it sort of situation, more that it wasn't quite what I was expecting although I ended up enjoying it all the same. The appendix made up for the lack of direct description of butterflies, and I'm sure there's many other books that go into butterflies nature and behavior in more depth, just that this book doesn't serve that purpose.
Lastly I'll say the main problem I had, which did in fact take away from enjoyment and appreciation for it but that wasn't so much Marren's fault: the lack of illustrations throughout the book. The chapter headings each had an illustration of a butterfly but the name of the butterfly included wasn't given so as a reader unfamiliar with different butterfly species it was hard to keep track of different species. If not possible for butterfly illustrations for each mention of a species (or the first mention of it in ongoing text) at least the appendix could've had an illustration for each species that is described as a sort of encyclopedia to flick back and forth while reading. It's possibly a small detail but it would've made such a difference for me. One design thing this book does have in its favor though is an extensive index, almost 20 pages long. Hooray for publishers realizing indexes are invaluable!
All in all, not the be-all-end-all of butterfly nonfiction but nevertheless an interesting exploration of human's relationship with butterflies both past and present, and where we'll go from here.
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
There is something about butterflies that captivates some people. They fulfil no ecological purpose, as they are not pollinators, they are not a source of food for a most animals as they are frequently full of poisons and unpalatable substances, they just seem to exist because nature can make it so. Regardless of their purpose, these brightly coloured little insects have enthralled people for years. From the time he first caught one at the age of five, Peter Marren was one of those captivated by these beguiling insects. So began a hobby that has lasted a lifetime, first hunting them for his collection, then rearing them when he realised that what he was doing was not sustainable.
However, this is not another guidebook about butterflies, rather a guidebook about butterfly lovers. Marren’s deep passion about his subject is evident as he brings us the stories and potted biographies and histories of those that have had a similar passion to him. We learn about the Rothschild family members who were equally besotted, what John Fowles and Vladimir Nabokov liked to collect and how butterflies have inspired countless artists and writers. He guides us through the extinctions of some and the reintroduction of the Large Blue and takes us through the life cycle right from the egg to the next generation.
His writing is authoritative without being tiresome and it flits along at a fair old pace. It is also a warning; we have been persecuting all sorts of wildlife in this country, and the relentless push to greater efficiency and cost savings has put butterflies and many of their habitats in peril. I liked the mix of solid science and research with a series of personal stories and it is a really good general book in the study of his favourite insect.
However, this is not another guidebook about butterflies, rather a guidebook about butterfly lovers. Marren’s deep passion about his subject is evident as he brings us the stories and potted biographies and histories of those that have had a similar passion to him. We learn about the Rothschild family members who were equally besotted, what John Fowles and Vladimir Nabokov liked to collect and how butterflies have inspired countless artists and writers. He guides us through the extinctions of some and the reintroduction of the Large Blue and takes us through the life cycle right from the egg to the next generation.
His writing is authoritative without being tiresome and it flits along at a fair old pace. It is also a warning; we have been persecuting all sorts of wildlife in this country, and the relentless push to greater efficiency and cost savings has put butterflies and many of their habitats in peril. I liked the mix of solid science and research with a series of personal stories and it is a really good general book in the study of his favourite insect.
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