"From the moment she's struck by lightening as a baby, it is clear that Mary Anning is marked for greatness. On the windswept, fossil-strewn beaches of the English coast, she learns that she has "the eye"-and finds what no one else can see. When Mary uncovers an unusual fossilized skeleton in the cliffs near her home, she sets the religious fathers on edge, the townspeople to vicious gossip, and the scientific world alight. In an arena dominated by men, however, Mary is barred from the academic community; as a young woman with unusual interests she is suspected of sinful behavior. Nature is a threat, throwing bitter, cold storms and landslips at her. And when she falls in love, it is with an impossible man.

Luckily, Mary finds an unlikely champion in prickly Elizabeth Philpot, a recent exile from London, who also loves scouring the beaches. Their relationship strikes a delicate balance between fierce loyalty, mutual appreciation, and barely suppressed envy. Ultimately, in the struggle to be recognized in the wider world, Mary and Elizabeth discover that friendship is their greatest ally.

Remarkable Creatures is a stunning novel of how one woman's gift transcends class and social prejudice to lead to some of the most important discoveries of the nineteenth century. Above all, is it a revealing portrait of the intricate and resilient nature of female friendship."

Acquired through PaperBackSwap.com (Unabridged on 8 CD's; read by Charlotte Parry & Susan Lyons)

I've read all of Tracy Chavalier's novels because she writes very well and it's obvious she's done her research. I think she's been one of the reasons I became a fan of historical fiction. While this novel was also very well-written, I found the pace of the story a bit slow and it reminded me more of her last work, Burning Bright. While it was interesting and I learned about a historical figure I was not at all previously familiar with (paleontologist Mary Anning), it never really pulled me in. Enjoyable enough, but I can't say it was one of my favorite Chevalier novels.

Reserved for booklady331's audio VBB.

Sending off to Aberpeter, who chose this from the VBB.

the book is here. Thank you.

I had no idea this was a work of historical fiction until I did some googling upon the completion of the book.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Anning

Even though the story moved along somewhat slowly, I very much enjoyed the story of Mary Anning. She was a passionate young woman, not concerned with society norms but rather following her passion of fossil hunting. Her discoveries were some of the first dinosaurs found and it wasn't until many years after her death she was credited with her contributions to the geological society.

giving to dabercro this weekend

Thanks Aberpeter!

A slow moving novel but interesting enough to listen to on my commute to and from work. I think it would not have held my interest if I had read it in print.

Adding to booklady331's CD only audio VBB.

Chosen from the CD only VBB. Sending to imawinn2 in WI.

I received this audiobook in the mail, the other day. I picked this one out of Booklady331's CD Only VBB. Thanks so much for sharing!