Fuzz (Nonfiction RA prompt)
A mix of highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose
What is the subject of the book?
Interactions between humans and wild animals. The consequences of humans sprawling into the habitats of wildlife.
What type of book is it?
Journalistic science reporting
Pacing
Most sections read quickly, but a few parts are a bit slow and convoluted.
Characters
Mary Roach is a journalist and our main character. She follows professionals whose jobs include determining which animal has maimed a dead body (and if that animal killed them or found them), fining restaurants for not locking their dumpsters (bears seek out unlocked dumpsters and return to areas they know have food) and politicians in India who deal with the elephant and monkey issues.
How does the story feel?
Darkly humorous, accessible, impassioned, grusomely-detailed
What is the intent of the author?
to start a conversation about how human development impacts wildlife and give a fuller picture of how complex the issues are to solve
What is the focus of the story?
Wildlife and the professionals who deal with the animals who cause issues for humans
Does the language matter?
I'm not sure how to answer this
Is the setting important and well-described?
Yes, the setting describes the central conflict between the animals and society.
Are there details and if so, of what?
Yes, the habitat of the animals, the behavior of animals (bears breaking into houses in Colorado, monkeys stealing food in India), and the wounds that animals inflict are described in detail.
Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
None are needed.
Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
Experience. There are facts included in various sections about procedures that follow animal attacks, the number of deaths in an area, and the size of a particular animal's hunting area, but it is largely descriptions of the experience the journalist has in shadowing the professionals and their impactful stories.
Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal?)
1. Learning
2. Tone (dark humor)
3. Writing Style
Hi Molly -
ReplyDeleteI saw this book around my library for a long while when we had it on display and always thought it looked interesting. I had never given much thought to animal behavior before, but it does seem like it would be a great topic for an investigative book.
Hi Molly,
ReplyDeleteThis books sound very interesting! I don't know that I've ever seen it in our collection, but I hadn't read much non-fiction before. I think I'll be adding this one to my list based on your analysis. Animal behavior always fascinates me. I know part of that is because I am an animal lover myself but I liked the part where you highlighted the author's intent is to discuss how human development impacts wildlife and their behaviors. It made me think about how, with the development of infrastructure, the more we build and encroach on the wildlife populations, the more THEY are forced to move inward and closer to humans and areas where they normally would not be.
Nice work.