The Darkness Is Light Enough: The Field Journal of a Night Naturalist

by Chris Ferris

Book by Ferris, Chris

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Natural History

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1986

Reviews

[Xenia Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and unique piece of nature writing by Chris Ferris (a pseudonym) on her nocturnal wanderings through the woods. Suffering from a condition which makes it uncomfortable for her to sleep for long periods at a time she finds relief by walking in nature in the dark. Over time she develops good night vision as well as deeply moving connections with the wildlife she encounters as they begin to trust her more and more. This, in turn, enables her to help them when injured and free them from snares. The diary and notes she kept of these encounters later became this book and I am glad that the field notes are presented in their original form, with only some names and descriptions omitted of people and places for reasons of confidentiality. The wildlife crime in the area she walks through is rife and, in her mission to protect the animals, she ends up being shot at, beaten, kicked, threatened with a knife and endlessly intimidated. This only serves to deepen her commitment to protect the local wildlife and enlist the help of others. The author's warmth and spirit will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about the night life in a British woodland and meadow. The author has a painful condition that keeps her awake at night, so she takes to walking the local landscape at night. She becomes very familiar with all the nocturnal animals and they with her to the point that they stop being fearful and begin to behave in their normal manner. The writing style was easy to read and the sense of intimacy with her fellow night owls (and badgers and foxes and... )makes this book a must read for those who love nature and naturalist writings. Hard to come by because it is no longer in print, if you see it - grab it. I like this book so well that after losing my copy somewhere, I hunted another copy down!

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of a "night" naturalist made me curious, but the chapters seemed to be too much of the same ole same ole. I couldn't imagine going out into the night by myself to observe nature in the dark (even by the light of the full moon), staying still and quiet for long periods of time, and not being sure of what was making sounds, coming closer and closer. Even worse than animals, encountering other humans out at that time of the night - up to no good, probably.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book some years ago. Its about the lives of Badgers and their survival, beautifully written and observed at close quarters by the author.
These beautiful creatures are much maligned by farmers, who claim that they are the cause of the spread of T.B. among cattle. A fact not fully proven. The book also has chapters on the heinous crime of badger baiting. Surely these wonderful animals deserve better consideration