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kjgrievewriter's review against another edition
2.5
So many repeated phrases so close together that it boggles the mind. The phrases "no more fish left, but an opportunistic Tawny" and "tawnies are frequently behind mysteries such as opportunistically disappearing pet fish" appearing in the same paragraph (and then "the opportunistic fish-stealer" on the very next page) was infuriating, and this happens on practically every other page in the book.
In another paragraph, the baffling choice to use "wind-honed", "wind-formed", and "wind-blown" in the same sentence.
I wish I had a pound for every time the author used some lexical variation of the idea that owls scare us but also make us feel alive. The constant reiterations of this sentiment seem to be all the book has to add to the conversation surrounding these creatures.
Just read John Lewis-Stempel's 'Secret Life of the Owl' for some actual information rather than this memoir masquerading as a nature book.
In another paragraph, the baffling choice to use "wind-honed", "wind-formed", and "wind-blown" in the same sentence.
I wish I had a pound for every time the author used some lexical variation of the idea that owls scare us but also make us feel alive. The constant reiterations of this sentiment seem to be all the book has to add to the conversation surrounding these creatures.
Just read John Lewis-Stempel's 'Secret Life of the Owl' for some actual information rather than this memoir masquerading as a nature book.
jaynecm's review against another edition
4.5
Most more recently published nature books cannot speak about their subject without at least some discussion of the effects of the degradation of the environment and climate change.
"Owls, like so many species, no longer exist purely as astonishing, innocent, wild beings. They are emissaries from an imperilled ecosystem, rare representatives of natural freedom and abundance."
"So what can a writer do, faced with a world whose wildness appears to be unravelling?"
The author takes pains to point out that the wild and its creatures must remain wild. Breeding in captivity is a very feeble second-best. But as humans destroy the wild in so many ways, we are at risk of losing many more species at an accelerating rate and must do what we can to save the remnants of our destruction.
This book was a perfect balance between the author's personal response to the owls and to her own family situation, the descriptions of nature and scientific facts. The beauty and majesty of the owls shines through every page, as well as the magnificence of the wilderness they inhabit. There is also the resourcefulness of the owls who live closer to human habitation and the people who have dedicated themselves to studying and preserving these striking birds.
"Owls, like so many species, no longer exist purely as astonishing, innocent, wild beings. They are emissaries from an imperilled ecosystem, rare representatives of natural freedom and abundance."
"So what can a writer do, faced with a world whose wildness appears to be unravelling?"
The author takes pains to point out that the wild and its creatures must remain wild. Breeding in captivity is a very feeble second-best. But as humans destroy the wild in so many ways, we are at risk of losing many more species at an accelerating rate and must do what we can to save the remnants of our destruction.
This book was a perfect balance between the author's personal response to the owls and to her own family situation, the descriptions of nature and scientific facts. The beauty and majesty of the owls shines through every page, as well as the magnificence of the wilderness they inhabit. There is also the resourcefulness of the owls who live closer to human habitation and the people who have dedicated themselves to studying and preserving these striking birds.
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Owl Sense recounts the author’s quest to see all of Europe’s native owl species. The chapters, one per species, are full of scientific facts about the species, plus details of her quest to find it and the people who helped her on her way. The blurb led me to believe that the book would also focus on her son’s illness. While that certainly features it is not a major part of the book at all. This suited me but readers looking forward to that aspect will probably feel short-changed. The book is very readable but I had some reservations about the tone in places and felt there was too much extraneous material. My own best birding experiences involve a certain sense of wonder and awe, an almost magical feeling . When I read bird books that capture that feeling it inspires me to get out birding . Sadly I didn’t often find that magical sense captured in this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
lynxpardinus's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and War
skylacine's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
Overall a good book and I appreciate the author's passion for owls, but at the same time she keeps going on unrelated tangents that don't add anything to the book.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/09/book-review-owl-sense-by-miriam.html
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/09/book-review-owl-sense-by-miriam.html
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Antisemitism
lora_h's review against another edition
5.0
This book chronicles Miriam Darltington's research into 8 types of European owl. An experienced nature writer, the author fills the book with well documented research presented in an easily digested manner. She weaves her own story & that of her family into the journey she takes to learn about these owls, so that Owl Sense reads like a travelogue rather than a scientific tome, despite the vast amount of owl info in it.
Thoroughly enjoyable book to read, then keep on the shelf to read again.
Thoroughly enjoyable book to read, then keep on the shelf to read again.
emilylouise's review against another edition
3.0
While this was an enjoyable read, Darlington has a habit of repeating ideas and phrases within paragraphs of each other which really began to distract me the more I continued reading. I found the book most enjoyable when it focused on imparting facts and information about owls, and I wish it did this more often than it actually does.