A review by rhii_reading
Late Light: Finding Home in the West Country by Michael Malay

emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Michael Malay does such a beautiful job of creating a parallel between the lives of these less appreciated animals and people when it comes to migration patterns or searching for a sense of belonging. He grounds this all in a well thought out socio-political commentary that isn’t afraid to discuss the Home Office’s hostile environment policies or the decline of the coal industry, finding ways to draw connections that never feels too obtuse or clunky.

The storytelling if this book is also wonderful. While the book in sorted into four sections, each focused on a different animal and part of Michael’s life, they all find a way to naturally incorporate and build upon the themes and animal facts we were previously introduced to. The journeys that Michael goes on, both philosophically and literally, in his quest to learn about animals is so interesting. We get just a snapshot of the lives of the animal experts he introduces us to in each section but they always feel distinct and real nonetheless.

Given the exploratory nature of Late Light, it’s no surprise that there is a melancholy aspect to this book. Often we learn about the environment changes, so often caused by humans, that are having a detrimental effect on the animals. However, the sense of resilience and optimism that prevails towards the end of this book makes it well worth the read.