Unauthorized Nature Tales: A Field Guide to the Overheard
Ever wondered what a glacier thinks about climate change? Or what dandelions really feel about your lawn care routine? In this wildly inventive and beautifully illustrated collection of micro-tales, nature finally gets to speak for itself - and it has a lot to say.
From ancient uranium ore with commitment issues to a Venus flytrap critiquing its hunting technique, these twenty-six interconnected stories give voice to the secret lives, petty grievances, and existential musings of Earth's inhabitants. Each tale, told in two perfect paragraphs and accompanied by stunning full-page illustrations, captures a different voice from the natural world, ranging from the microscopic to the cosmic, from the profound to the ridiculous.
Meet:
A penguin running underground dance parties after the documentary crews leaveA lichen contemplating its three-century relationship with its fungal partnerA raccoon treating locked garbage bins like engineering puzzlesA slug who sees its slime trails as performance artAnd even a surprisingly self-aware human, trying to make sense of its own place in the ecosystemThe book's extraordinary artwork brings each character to life with a blend of scientific accuracy and emotional resonance. Detailed botanical illustrations merge with whimsical character studies, while innovative page designs complement each creature's unique voice. The result is a visual feast that transforms natural history into something both familiar and fantastical.
Perfect for readers who love the wit of Terry Pratchett, the biological insight of Richard Powers' "The Overstory," and the imaginative leaps of Ted Chiang's short stories. This collection brings science, art, and whimsy together in a unique blend that will change how you see the natural world.
Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an art lover, a fan of clever writing, or someone who just wants to know what mushrooms really think about their trendy culinary status, these tales and their accompanying illustrations offer a fresh perspective on life on Earth. Warning: May cause unexpected empathy for weeds and renewed respect for bacteria.
"A Field Guide to the Overheard" turns natural history on its head, proving that the best way to understand nature might be to listen to its gossip and see through its eyes.
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