Remarkable Creatures Audiobook By Tracy Chevalier cover art

Remarkable Creatures

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Remarkable Creatures

By: Tracy Chevalier
Narrated by: Susan Lyons, Charlotte Parry
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A voyage of discovery, two remarkable women, and an extraordinary time and place enrich this New York Times bestselling novel by Tracy Chevalier, author of At the Edge of the Orchard and Girl With a Pearl Earring.

On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, poor and uneducated Mary Anning learns that she has a unique gift: "the eye" to spot fossils no one else can see. When she uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious community on edge, the townspeople to gossip, and the scientific world alight. After enduring bitter cold, thunderstorms, and landslips, her challenges only grow when she falls in love with an impossible man.

Mary soon finds an unlikely champion in prickly Elizabeth Philpot, a middle-class spinster who shares her passion for scouring the beaches. Their relationship strikes a delicate balance between fierce loyalty, mutual appreciation, and barely suppressed envy, but ultimately turns out to be their greatest asset.

Remarkable Creatures is a stunning historical novel that follows the story of two extraordinary 19th century fossil hunters who changed the scientific world forever.

 Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Natural History Literary Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny

Critic reviews

Praise for Tracy Chevalier

"Evokes entire landscapes...a master of voices."
—New York Times Book Review (on Falling Angels)

"Absorbing...[Chevalier] creates a world reminiscent of a Vermeer interior: suspended in a particular moment, it transcends its time and place."
—The New Yorker (on Girl With a Pearl Earring)

“Chevalier admirably weaves historical figures and actual events into a compelling narrative.”
—San Francisco Chronicle (on Remarkable Creatures)

"Chevalier's signature talent lies in bringing alive the ordinary day-to-dayness of the past...lovingly evoked."
—Elle (on Burning Bright)

"Chevalier's ringing prose is as radiantly efficient as well-tended silver."
—Entertainment Weekly (on Falling Angels)
Fascinating Historical Tale • Unique Friendship Story • Superb Narration • Complex Relationships • Well-researched History

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This is the remarkable story of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot based on their TRUE lives. They are two strong women who form an unlikely friendship, based on a shared interest in fossil collecting. I felt as if transported in time to join these two unforgettable characters on their quest. Tracy Chevalier should be commended for giving these two historical figures their due. Thank you ladies.

Unforgettable Women

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I became interested after coming across a news article on a fossil specimen found by Mary Anning that remains one of the most complete found to date. This story is fascinating, sad, insightful and a unique glance into society in the 1800’s. I found the struggles experienced by the protagonists both poignant and sadly resonant of the struggles women still face today. While our understanding of fossils has evolved since Annings time, there remains bigotry, prejudice, exclusion, and suspicion that made elements of the novel hit home. I did find parts a bit histrionic and I echo other reviewers who stated a greater desire for a touch more science. Overall worth a read.

Good read, thought provoking

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Loved the readers. Written so you care about the characters. Very interesting subject matter. A unique book, not like so many out there. Highly recommend.

The remarkable creature is not what I expected

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Wonderful writing, characters you can care about and interesting and different subject matter, well worth reading.

Not just another love story

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Absolutely loved it. Narration was superb, story line kept me fascinated and it was extremely well written. Highly recommend this book as a fascinating tale of early fossil discoveries and the difficulties that intelligent women faced back then.

Awesome book!!

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