Book Review || Chasing Dragonflies by Cindy Crosby

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Chasing Dragonflies

Cindy Crosby

15th June 2020


I took way WAY too long to get to this one, but I did end up quite enjoying it, so that was a nice surprise waiting for me.


This one is a great reader for nature writing fans, whilst also being a good 'beginner guide' or sorts to starting to chase dragonflies yourself. I loved Crosby's fairly light and gentle tone, and I was actually laughing here and there. The images were also really beautiful, and I loved hearing someone talk so enthusiastically about something - it kind of makes you enthusiastic, too.


Overall I really enjoyed my time with this book, and I feel like I learned quite a lot, however I did have a little bit of an issue with later chapters which came across as just a touch on the ableist side. Honestly, I think a lot of books that talk about 'getting out into nature' can do this, so it's not uncommon, but being told that if I'm not going out to search for dragonflies myself then I'm not actually experiencing them at all is kind of sucky. I'm lucky enough to sometimes be able to go out looking for birds, but it's rare, and I don't really appreciate being told that there's a 'right' way to interact with nature, whether that was your intention or not. I do prefer when writers just write about their own experience, what works for them and what they love, rather than trying to preach to me a bit about how buying dragonfly-themed items is lovely and all, but not necessarily 'enough'. (I don't have any dragonfly-themed items, but I do have a fair few badger ones...).


Anyway, aside from kind of wanting the author to check their privilege just a touch (there were moments during the times that cancer recovery was being discussed, and the freedom of just sitting and watching, that I really really loved, so I don't want to give the impression that the whole book was one big preach-fest, just wanted to note it as it bothered me), I really enjoyed reading this book and learning do much more about dragonflies and damselflies. Very happy to have finally read this one.


7.5/10 love-heart-shaped dragonfly couplings~~


{I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.}

0 whisperings:

Post a Comment

All content owned by Bethwyn Walker unless otherwise stated. Powered by Blogger.

books | chronic illness | lifestyle | wellbeing

Powered by Blogger.
Back to Top