Gone

No doubt a journey to the past is always exciting. Tracing the origins of eleven extinct creatures and how they disappeared is an experience in itself and this book is full of undoubtedly useful information, enriched with beautiful artwork.

But.

I am a peculiar reader, I know. My attention to the overall ‘'tone'' of the writer is unwavering to the point of stubbornness and I was thoroughly disappointed. It goes without saying that this is strictly my personal opinion. The writer comes across as dismissive of everyone and everything, including his own self. He doesn't like tourists, cyclists, pedestrians. He moans and moans and moans over himself and a strange fate. Overdramatic over a visit in Oxford, repetitive of the fact that he was so different from his classmates, repetitive over his favourite books that were so unusual, repetitive over life's miseries, stressing how boring life and habits actually are. Moreover, there is scarcely any information on the significance of each creature in the local traditions but that's a detail, really.

Also, he compares the adoration of the dodo to Jesus.

I mean, what?

I am sorry but this attitude is NOT compatible with me and my reading preferences.

Many thanks to Alison Menzies and Leaping Hare Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.