The cover of this book caught my eye, so I decided to give it a try. And, I was pleasantly surprised. It is memoir that is interwoven with lessons learned from the animals in the author’s life. The author, Sy Montgomery, has been an animal lover since early childhood, and she developed deep connections with the animals that crossed her path. A writer by trade, Montgomery has traveled the world to conduct research for her writing. Thus, the animals she encounters range from family dogs and backyard hens to emus and octopuses.
Personally, I am not an animal person, but I still found Montgomery’s stories intriguing. In particular, I enjoyed learning about all of the exotic animals that she came across, including the Matschie’s tree-kangaroo and the Goliath birdeater. This was a quick, easy read. But, it may not be suitable for everyone, as it does contain a very frank discussion about depression and mental illness.
