As with her previous works, Chevalier does a masterful job of bringing to life an historical period. In this novel, the period is the 19th century in coastal England when the discovery of fossils of strange and “remarkable creatures” creates a stir in the scientific and religious communities. At the center of this turmoil are the novels heroines, Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. A friendship develops between these two women (who should not associate at all due to the difference in their social classes) because of their fascination with fossils.
Today’s reader will be shocked at the impotence of these women against the established society ruled by men. Their knowledge and contributions are ignored and their reputations are destroyed because they insist on meddling in men’s affairs. The trials of being a woman in a patriarchal society are fascinating. Even more riveting, however, are the events at the center of the novel, discoveries of fossils for creatures that no longer exist and the religious controversy that this raises (Does it challenge the notion that God created the heavens and the earth as described in Genesis?)
This is another fascinating piece of historical fiction from Chevalier and will appeal to secondary readers, particularly girls.
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