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Monkeys Are Made Of Chocolate: Exotic And Unseen Costa Rica by Daniel Quinn, Jack Ewing, Jack Ewing
szeglin's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of essays is a fascinating look at Costa Rica's environment and its inhabitants. I read this in preparation for a trip to Costa Rica in a couple of months, and reading this made me even more excited to go (if somewhat more wary of the terciopelo). I was especially enthralled with the essays that had introductory paragraphs that Ewing wrote from the point of view of animals. I think he did a good job of explaining the world how they must see it, without unnecessary anthropomorphization.
The essays mostly have a strong conservationist/environmentalist message, which I do agree with--but I feel the author is a touch heavy-handed with it sometimes. This can be overlooked, as the book is a collection of essays that were originally published elsewhere. I think that the essays are better read one at a time, rather than in one chunk.
The essays mostly have a strong conservationist/environmentalist message, which I do agree with--but I feel the author is a touch heavy-handed with it sometimes. This can be overlooked, as the book is a collection of essays that were originally published elsewhere. I think that the essays are better read one at a time, rather than in one chunk.
jgolomb's review against another edition
4.0
This is a terrific compilation of essays from an author who lives in Costa Rica and makes his living by understanding the nature of this Central American country. The essays range from environmentalism to animals, evolution, and conservation.
I purchased this book in advance of a family trip to Guanacaste in northwest Costa Rica. I consider this book a must-have for advance research, planning and understanding of the natural-side of this extremely eco-friendly and eco-aware country. "Monkeys" will provide insight into the country's natural history and you'll feel more prepared and aware of what the country has offer.
The short essays(ranging from 3-6 pages each) are a quick read - perfect for the pool, beach or plane.
I purchased this book in advance of a family trip to Guanacaste in northwest Costa Rica. I consider this book a must-have for advance research, planning and understanding of the natural-side of this extremely eco-friendly and eco-aware country. "Monkeys" will provide insight into the country's natural history and you'll feel more prepared and aware of what the country has offer.
The short essays(ranging from 3-6 pages each) are a quick read - perfect for the pool, beach or plane.
rachelleahdorn's review against another edition
5.0
I highly recommend this book. It was a great combination of storytelling, science and motivation.
I think the biggest strength of this book was that the stories the author chose to tell were based on real phenomena that this reader (i would assume most Americans too) are not familiar with the animals discussed or their habits.
Tis was a great introduction to Costa Rica, many of the animals discussed (native to Costa Rica) and the concept of biological corridors.
By the middle of the book, I was motivated enough to go read more on invasive species, biological corridors and Costa Rica specifically.
I think the biggest strength of this book was that the stories the author chose to tell were based on real phenomena that this reader (i would assume most Americans too) are not familiar with the animals discussed or their habits.
Tis was a great introduction to Costa Rica, many of the animals discussed (native to Costa Rica) and the concept of biological corridors.
By the middle of the book, I was motivated enough to go read more on invasive species, biological corridors and Costa Rica specifically.
sjstuart's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of short stories written by the owner of a Costa Rican ecolodge and wildlife refuge, and it is at its most entertaining when he is describing his or his guides’ firsthand experiences with the wildlife at Hacienda Barú, and especially in the short, imaginative vignettes written from an animal’s point of view. His writing style in those sections is entertaining and poetic. But in the parts of the book that serve as harangues to protect the environment and join a conservation group, he devolves to more simplistic, and frequently patronizing prose.
There are frequent, sarcastic reminders of mankind’s status as “supposedly” the smartest creature on the planet, or that our attempts to make things better often do the opposite. By far the worst chapter, for example, is written from the point of view of a mosquito, which is simple-minded enough that it speaks in an awkward blend of baby talk and rural dialect, but still able to look down on the stupid humans: “Ya see, they thinks thet they is thuh only critters on this planet what counts and thet they kin jus kill anythin else thet eats thuh same stuff they eats.”
Each of the roughly 30 chapters was originally written as an article for local Costa Rican publications, with publication dates spread over several years’ time. In that format, the folksy tone and moralizing may not have been overdone. But collected together, the morals and ecological pitches in each chapter get a bit repetitive, constantly proselytizing for the same organizations or nature preserves. However, the nature stories that serve as the sugar coating around these doses of consciousness-raising are different in every case, and usually both entertaining and interesting.
Ewing is a born storyteller, and has clearly honed his craft by regaling visitors to his ecolodge with fascinating talks of jungle life, while using his pulpit to steer their behavior towards more sustainable habits. I suspect his gift probably shines most clearly in person, rather than on paper. As a book, it was a mildly entertaining diversion for me on the plane to Costa Rica. But I have absolutely no doubt that hearing these and other anecdotes told around over the dinner table would be the highlight of a trip, and I have added Hacienda Barú to the itinerary for our next trip to Costa Rica.
There are frequent, sarcastic reminders of mankind’s status as “supposedly” the smartest creature on the planet, or that our attempts to make things better often do the opposite. By far the worst chapter, for example, is written from the point of view of a mosquito, which is simple-minded enough that it speaks in an awkward blend of baby talk and rural dialect, but still able to look down on the stupid humans: “Ya see, they thinks thet they is thuh only critters on this planet what counts and thet they kin jus kill anythin else thet eats thuh same stuff they eats.”
Each of the roughly 30 chapters was originally written as an article for local Costa Rican publications, with publication dates spread over several years’ time. In that format, the folksy tone and moralizing may not have been overdone. But collected together, the morals and ecological pitches in each chapter get a bit repetitive, constantly proselytizing for the same organizations or nature preserves. However, the nature stories that serve as the sugar coating around these doses of consciousness-raising are different in every case, and usually both entertaining and interesting.
Ewing is a born storyteller, and has clearly honed his craft by regaling visitors to his ecolodge with fascinating talks of jungle life, while using his pulpit to steer their behavior towards more sustainable habits. I suspect his gift probably shines most clearly in person, rather than on paper. As a book, it was a mildly entertaining diversion for me on the plane to Costa Rica. But I have absolutely no doubt that hearing these and other anecdotes told around over the dinner table would be the highlight of a trip, and I have added Hacienda Barú to the itinerary for our next trip to Costa Rica.
tmcgrath's review against another edition
4.0
Nice collection of essays and good introduction to Jack Ewing. I liked his 2nd book better but would still highly recommend reading this one first just because the chronological order of his life, story-telling, and primarily the evolution of the reserve is important. At least it was to me.
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