The Book of Eels

I have a lot of respect for an animal that is so mysterious and remains so despite years of research and curiosity, and I really appreciate this in-depth commitment to showcasing an animal most people get the heeby jeebies about.

The interweaving of personal narrative and deep dives into the realm of eels was a nice combination, catching a glimpse into how one’s early relationship to specific parts of their surrounding natural world can influence so much beyond that.

I’m a big fan of cheerleading for the underdogs of the animal kingdom, the ones we think are scary or ugly… show more.

I was truly amazed that these slippery, slimy creatures could be mesmerizing and mysterious. I soon learned that so little about these enigmatic creatures is known. In particular, no one has seen eels mating or giving birth, and scientists still don't understand what innate force drives them to spawn thousands of miles from their freshwater homes. I was also drawn to this book because the author melds the personal and scientific into a captivating story at the eel.

I met Patrik Svensson at a book event in 2019, just as his novel was released and came away with a signed copy when I left. I brought it home and put it aside for a later read. When I finally picked it up, I was fascinated. This is another autobiographical story, this one about a little boy growing up in the southern part of Sweden. The father and son only really come together when they go eel fishing. The father teaches the son the elaborate technique of setting the eel traps and through this they establish a silent bond.… show more.