Snail

Animal Series

by Peter Williams

So attached was the author Patricia Highsmith to snails that they became her constant travelling companions. Often hidden in a large handbag, they provided her with comfort and companionship in what she perceived to be a hostile world. Theirs was perhaps an unusual relationship; for most of us the tentacled snail with his sticky trail might be a delicious treat served up in garlic butter but certainly not an affectionate pet. As well, for many a gardener, opinions on the snail and slug (which is a just a snail without a shell) have been shaped by the harm they inflict on vegetable plants and seedlings. With Snail , Peter Williams wishes to change our perspectives on this little but much-maligned creature. Beginning with an overview of our relationship with snails, slugs, and sea snails, Williams moves on to examine snail evolution; snail behavior and habitat; snails as food, medicine, and the source of useful chemicals and dyes; snail shells as collectible objects; and snails in literature, art, and popular culture. Finally, in this appreciative account of the snail, Williams offers a plea for a reconsideration of the snail as a dignified, ancient creature that deserves our respect. Containing beautiful illustrations and written in an approachable, informal style, Snail will help readers get beyond the shell and slime to discover the fascinating creature inside.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Natural History, Animals, History

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

At a local gallery, I spent over twenty minutes watching a video of snails. I immediately walked to the library and picked up this book. While it focuses primarily on the cultural importance of snails, I learned many interesting things. It was particularly fascinating to read about the incredible value of cowrie shells as currency.

[Cy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other reviewers have said, this book is mainly about the snail in culture and history rather than a biology book. I own "Leopard" in this series, which was similar and marketed as such, so I'm not sure if people didn't read up on the series or if this book was marketed differently. In any case, I went in expecting that, as I find animals in culture an interesting topic.

The book was decent. I learnt some new interesting facts, but I definitely got the sense there wasn't much to work off here, or at least that the author struggled to synthesise what he had. Some sections felt repetitive, as if stalling for time or trying to fill a word count. The chapters could also have been organised better. Still, it's a neat little book snail lovers should enjoy.

[Viktor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was hoping for. I wanted to read about snails, but this book was mostly about HUMANS relationships with snails and not about snails themselves. Even thought my disappointment, which was creeping on me, I must say that it in fact was a SLUGGISH read. And the parts that actually had focus on the snail - about the history of snail and about poetry and symbolism of the snail - left me in a drowsy, happy state. So that must count for something. Two stars!

[Timothy Leong · Rating 3 out of 5]

snail

[Randy Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 2nd volume in the Reaktion Books series on animals I've read. The first one on 'Humans' was quite good at putting us in our place. I have mixed feelings about this one. Clearly, these books are aimed at the curious reader, someone who watches the occasional National Geographic special. I would almost say they are aiming for the young adult audience though I can't imagine people of the dating age spending their free time reading about snails.

I will need to read more of these books before rendering a verdict about the series but in the case of this book, it appears that the focus is on the human's relationship to the snail. Hence we learned a lot about the shell and how humans collect and use them. We also learn quite a bit about how and for what purposes people eat snails. The best part of the book for me was the section about snail sex although I'm not entirely sure that what Mr. Williams describes is largely true for all snail reproduction.

The third chapter of the book is entitled, 'Sense and Sensibility' and starts off with a haiku which poses the intriguing question, 'what is on his (the snail's) mind'? Unfortunately, the chapter ends promising us that the answer to that question will eventually be found. It's not that I expected the author to have psychoanalyzed the snails in his garden but I didn't think he would raise the question without planning to even attempt an answer.

Currently I am much enamored by the snail and I have taken several photos of different ones I've seen on my neighborhood walks. I am looking to include them as cutouts in collages too. This volume is loaded with beautiful photos, famous paintings and illustrations relating to snails. That was the part of the book I enjoyed the most and perhaps is the true purpose of 'Snail.'

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very similar to the the other snail book I read -- some of the content is even the same. I want to buy all the animal books in this series, though. It just makes the animals so darn endearing. So glad my library has them.

[Pauline Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything there is to know about snails in a interesting way.
Plus the pictures are beautiful.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

a slow read