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A review by ashtronomic
Below the Edge of Darkness: A Memoir of Exploring Light and Life in the Deep Sea by Edith Widder
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I know this is quite a niche read, but I loved it so, so much.
Before I begin with my unrelenting praise, I want potential readers to know that this book is quite scientifically dense. Do not read it if you are simply looking for a biography about life at sea. In the acknowledgements, Widder mentions that early drafts of the book were rejected by publishers with the advice, “You need to make it more personal”. It is hard to imagine earlier iterations with even less familiarity with the author than the final copy. The book focuses on her observations, rather than the role she played in them. So, by the end of the book there is no real sense of connection to the author, a trait that is often expected of memiors. However, her passion and sense of humour do shine through in some ways; this book easily has some of the most hilarious footnotes I have ever read.
If you are willing to get technical and, like me, have an affinity for everything related to the deep sea and/or bioluminescence, then this book is perfect.
It is easy to become immersed in Edith Widder's world; I often felt like I was riding alongside her in the submersible visiting the greatest depths of the ocean. Thanks to her background in research, she has an incredible ability to recall and depict even the most minute details about the sea and its inhabitants. Combine her detail oriented perspective with a fantastic talent for explaining complex concepts with similes that are approachable (and often hilariously outlandish), and you have something magical.
In the words of Edith herself, “To look at the surface of the ocean without knowing the sparkling web of life that is woven through its depths is to be blind to its wonders.”
Before I begin with my unrelenting praise, I want potential readers to know that this book is quite scientifically dense. Do not read it if you are simply looking for a biography about life at sea. In the acknowledgements, Widder mentions that early drafts of the book were rejected by publishers with the advice, “You need to make it more personal”. It is hard to imagine earlier iterations with even less familiarity with the author than the final copy. The book focuses on her observations, rather than the role she played in them. So, by the end of the book there is no real sense of connection to the author, a trait that is often expected of memiors. However, her passion and sense of humour do shine through in some ways; this book easily has some of the most hilarious footnotes I have ever read.
If you are willing to get technical and, like me, have an affinity for everything related to the deep sea and/or bioluminescence, then this book is perfect.
It is easy to become immersed in Edith Widder's world; I often felt like I was riding alongside her in the submersible visiting the greatest depths of the ocean. Thanks to her background in research, she has an incredible ability to recall and depict even the most minute details about the sea and its inhabitants. Combine her detail oriented perspective with a fantastic talent for explaining complex concepts with similes that are approachable (and often hilariously outlandish), and you have something magical.
In the words of Edith herself, “To look at the surface of the ocean without knowing the sparkling web of life that is woven through its depths is to be blind to its wonders.”