Reviews
Winged Obsession: The Pursuit of the World's Most Notorious Butterfly Smuggler by Jessica Speart
gmd316's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
3.5
Didn’t like the writing style, felt unsophisticated, but the story was super interesting
catnipped's review
4.0
When I first received this book from the giveaway, I hadn't realized it was a truly nonfiction book. Knowing that makes Winged Obsession that much more fascinating. Towards the end, I was on the end of my seat, worrying that Kojima would get away or escape somehow.
The beginning of the book is a little rough. Some of the metaphors and language choices weren't quite right to me. But, over time, Speart finds her voice, mostly through her ability to give detailed background information in simpler terms without being boring, mainly information concerning the governmental issues of protecting wildlife and the scientific facts about butterflies. The only thing that troubled me throughout the novel was that it was being told in present tense, but occasionally, details would be added from future knowledge. It disrupted the flow of the story for me.
I would have preferred the final two chapters to be edited in a different way. The second to last chapter would have made an excellent epilogue. The last chapter is primarily about Speart's own experience with Kojima after his deportation from the US. While it was a necessary part of the story, I felt like it shouldn't have just been tacked on at the end.
An incredible read when you consider the fact that it is based on true events. The last sentence of the novel cushions the blow that Kojima continues to make a fortune out of illegally selling butterflies, and that he will continue until there is punishment enough to stop him.
I applaud Ed Newcomer on his fight to help save the natural world and only wish that our government was able to give his hard work the payment it deserves by having harsher punishment for those who are profiting off of harming nature's resources.
The beginning of the book is a little rough. Some of the metaphors and language choices weren't quite right to me. But, over time, Speart finds her voice, mostly through her ability to give detailed background information in simpler terms without being boring, mainly information concerning the governmental issues of protecting wildlife and the scientific facts about butterflies. The only thing that troubled me throughout the novel was that it was being told in present tense, but occasionally, details would be added from future knowledge. It disrupted the flow of the story for me.
I would have preferred the final two chapters to be edited in a different way. The second to last chapter would have made an excellent epilogue. The last chapter is primarily about Speart's own experience with Kojima after his deportation from the US. While it was a necessary part of the story, I felt like it shouldn't have just been tacked on at the end.
An incredible read when you consider the fact that it is based on true events. The last sentence of the novel cushions the blow that Kojima continues to make a fortune out of illegally selling butterflies, and that he will continue until there is punishment enough to stop him.
I applaud Ed Newcomer on his fight to help save the natural world and only wish that our government was able to give his hard work the payment it deserves by having harsher punishment for those who are profiting off of harming nature's resources.
thereadingzone's review against another edition
5.0
Not a book I would recommend to younger readers, but a fantastic adult NF that takes a deep look at one of the world's most prolific butterfly smugglers.
embingham's review
4.0
I won this book as a goodreads giveaway, and I really enjoyed it. It gave a great insight into how various types of smuggling work, and how the Fish and Wildlife department tries to stop it. It also gives a detailed look into the mind of a smuggler and you see how warped and twisted he really is. This is Spearts first attempt at a nonfiction novel, and it does read like a mystery. I really enjoyed the book, and I have only one complaint, which was that there was a lot of unneccessary profanity. Overall, it was definitely a fun and entertaining read.
lisaarnsdorf's review
5.0
Amazingly, I finished this book in only 10 days, which is impressive in my current life and demonstrates just how compelling this book was to read! I learned so much about Fish and Wildlife, the important work they are doing, and just how underfunded and unappreciated that work is. The story was incredibly thrilling, even though it unfolded over several years. Kojima is a weird, weird dude.
I hope Speart writes more true crime, because this was outstanding!
I hope Speart writes more true crime, because this was outstanding!
abigail_w7's review
2.0
This book's subject matter was interesting but the writing left a lot to be desired. It felt like it was written to be shared episodically, and was bloated with repeated information and things that had already been shared and therefore felt out of order chronologically for being repeated. The point of view also lacked consistency and left me confused occasionally as to who was being followed by the narrative. This would have been a DNF for me if I didn't need a non-violent true crime book for a reading challenge so I slogged through to the end. (Unfortunately, the casual cruelty toward animals depicted in this book makes me question whether or not this book works.)
tiffany_grace's review
4.0
This was a really good non-fiction book. I don't know who wrote the blurb on the fly-leaf, but that almost turned me off completely, and sounded like it was written by a 5 year old. But...I read the book anyway and am glad I did. It is really well written, and though non-fiction isn't usually my thing, I had no problem getting into it. I really enjoyed how much I learned about butterflies from reading this book. However, reading about the things people are doing to rare species for profit really angered me. Though the book isn't preachy, it is straight forward.
flowtjo's review
fast-paced
2.5
An interesting topic but falls down with pretty bad writing and some really odd homophobic/transphobic parts that made me uneasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Transphobia
jessthanthree's review
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Animal death
lorange's review against another edition
3.0
There is something charismatic about butterflies. As U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services special agent Ed Newcomer finds out, sometimes a fascination for these winged insects can turn into a dangerous obsession as collectors seek to own rare and endangered species. Newcomer's assignment: catch Yoshi Kojima, the most-wanted butterfly smuggler in the world. In Winged Obsession, Jessica Speart nicely weaves together the story of a man obsessed with butterflies, a man obsessed with catching him, and other facts.
Overall, the book is fun and interesting. It's neat finding a non-fiction book that reads like a novel, though effect did not always work well. Speart attempted to dive into the thoughts of all the people involved, which left me as a reader sometimes wondering how much of the story was true and how much was Speart adding for dramatic effect. Mentioning Speart's embellishments, the author broke away from the main story at times to give facts, background info, or introduce other people, but at times it was simply distracting from the main story. As a biologist, I didn't mind the facts as much, but a non-biology reader might lose interest.
My other main complaint was that in the description on my book, it mentioned Speart's own involvement with Kojima, almost making it sound like she helped catch the butterfly smuggler. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, and her own involvement was one chapter at the end. In my opinion, I would have either cut that chapter or would have clearly labelled it an afterword or something. It certainly wasn't worth teasing in the description.
Overall, the book is fun and interesting. It's neat finding a non-fiction book that reads like a novel, though effect did not always work well. Speart attempted to dive into the thoughts of all the people involved, which left me as a reader sometimes wondering how much of the story was true and how much was Speart adding for dramatic effect. Mentioning Speart's embellishments, the author broke away from the main story at times to give facts, background info, or introduce other people, but at times it was simply distracting from the main story. As a biologist, I didn't mind the facts as much, but a non-biology reader might lose interest.
My other main complaint was that in the description on my book, it mentioned Speart's own involvement with Kojima, almost making it sound like she helped catch the butterfly smuggler. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, and her own involvement was one chapter at the end. In my opinion, I would have either cut that chapter or would have clearly labelled it an afterword or something. It certainly wasn't worth teasing in the description.