How to Be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery

In 'How to be a Good Creature,' National Book Award finalist Sy Montgomery shares her deeply personal experiences with 13 extraordinary animals that have shaped her life. This memoir is a celebration of the unique personalities and quirks of these creatures, offering a poignant reflection on the bonds between humans and animals. Through her interactions with these friends, Montgomery explores themes of empathy, connection, and the transformative power of love and companionship. /n/n Illustrated by Rebecca Green, the book is a stunning and life-affirming journey that invites readers to appreciate the beauty and wisdom found in the natural world. Montgomery's narrative is both poetic and profound, making it a compelling read for anyone who has ever loved an animal or sought a deeper understanding of the creatures that share our planet.

Reviews

Cracker Crumb Life · 2022-02-22

touching 4.20

As an animal lover, the book touched the reviewer's heart, making them laugh and wonder about the unique qualities of different creatures. The memoir is a quick and easy read, offering a heartwarming exploration of the author's interactions with thirteen animals.

As a fellow animal lover, this book deeply resonated with the reviewer, evoking a range of emotions from laughter to wonder. The memoir is a quick and easy read, offering a heartwarming exploration of the author's interactions with thirteen animals. Each animal's unique qualities and the lessons they impart are beautifully captured, making this a memorable and touching read. The reviewer appreciated the author's ability to convey the profound impact that animals can have on our lives, making this memoir both engaging and emotionally resonant.

Quick quotes

As a fellow animal lover, this book touched my heart. It made me laugh, it made we wonder (would I pet an octopus if I had the chance?)

This lovely, wise book is illustrated with black and white paintings that are childlike in their simplicity—the big eyes of the border collie, the smile of the octopus.

The book is a quick and easy read, this is a memoir about 13 animals who have made a difference in the life of the author.

Celebration of Books Blog · 2020-03-22

heartwarming 4.50

The memoir reflects on the personalities and quirks of thirteen animals, highlighting the truths revealed by their grace and the lessons they teach about humanity. The author's lyrical storytelling and resonant lessons make this a tender and intelligent literary memoir.

This memoir is a heartwarming journey through the lives of thirteen animals that have deeply influenced the author. Each animal's unique personality and quirks are explored, revealing profound truths about grace, resilience, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The author's lyrical storytelling and resonant lessons make this a tender and intelligent literary memoir, offering a unique perspective on how animals can enhance our humanity. The book is not just a collection of anecdotes but a deeply reflective exploration of what it means to be a good creature in this world.

Quick quotes

This restorative memoir reflects on the personalities and quirks of thirteen animals—Sy's friends—and the truths revealed by their grace.

Montgomery's lyrical storytelling and resonant lessons on how animals can enhance our humanity result in a tender, intelligent literary memoir.

The book is not just a collection of anecdotes but a deeply reflective exploration of what it means to be a good creature in this world.

Six Trait Gurus · Vicki Spandel · 2018-12-01

insightful 4.00

The book is a compelling story of how the author became a genius naturalist and writer, highlighting her uninhibited and insightful reflections on her interactions with various animals. The memoir is a sweet and insightful exploration of the lessons learned from the author's encounters with different creatures.

At its heart, this memoir is the story of how Sy Montgomery came to be a genius naturalist and writer. Her compelling, uninhibited, and insightful reflections on her interactions with various animals make for a captivating read. The book is a sweet and insightful exploration of the lessons learned from the author's encounters with different creatures, offering a unique perspective on the natural world and our place within it. The author's personal anecdotes and deep reflections make this memoir both engaging and thought-provoking, highlighting the profound impact that animals can have on our lives.

Quick quotes

At its heart it's the story of how the inimitable Sy Montgomery came to be a genius naturalist and writer.

Her compelling, uninhibited, and insightful reflections on her interactions with various animals make for a captivating read.

The book is a sweet and insightful exploration of the lessons learned from the author's encounters with different creatures.

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