Running feet, sharp noses

by Latifa Akay (Contributor), Sara Baume (Contributor), John Berger (Contributor)

What is it about animals? – those creatures that keep us company, a figure in a memory or folktale, the shadowy presence in a photograph, or an ancient drawing on a wall. Guides, companions, imaginary beings, hindrances, sources of fear and love …

Running feet, sharp noses: Essays on the animal world is an essential collection of essays on the animal world. Each piece is a profound meditation on how animals affect our sense of self, our memories, our actions.

This brilliant new book of non-fiction investigates – with the insights and perceptions of some of the finest writers at work today – how animals shape and determine our everyday lives, whether we realise it or not.

With contributions by Latifa Akay, Sara Baume, John Berger, June Caldwell, Niamh Campbell, Vona Groarke, Edward Hoagland, Sabrina Mandanici, Darragh McCausland, Tim MacGabhann, Honor Moore, Eileen Myles, Stephen Sexton, Jessica Traynor, Erica Van Horn, and Suzanne Walsh.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this one in an independent bookstore in Dublin (support small business y’all) and 93% of the book was outstanding. The ending essays about Michael the young twisted-legged Robin and the Belgian dog are worth the cost alone. Of course there are some misses, but they’re rare. Animal friends are the best part of life and this book celebrates them.

[Janell · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a sharp, meditative collection of essays that manages to represent a broad and complex variety of perspectives on or connected to animals. full of strong, experienced contributors, the tone of essays range from funny to musing, grieving to hopeful, all represented by a wide spectrum of writing.

the multifaceted approach really helps a concept that could either come off as weirdly vague or oddly specific depending on your mood (essays on the animal world?), elevating it to comprehensive collection that refreshes you with each essay. I can struggle with essay-style collections like these, but I found this very easy and pleasant to read.

my favourites are the pieces by June Caldwell (funny musings on pet cats), Stephen Sexton (complex relationship between the writer's dad, fox bounty hunting, and Japanese folklore), Eileen Myles (questioning the concepts of a 'good' vs 'bad' dog), Tim MacGabhann (poetic verse on horses, cormorants, and dogs), and Niamh Campbell (hot takes on a Balthus painting of a girl and her pet cat).

[David Toms · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good a collection of essays as I've read in a long time.

[Gina Murfin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked most of these but ‘Michael’ by Erica Van Horn in particular has torn me apart.