51 pages • 1 hour read
Remarkable Creatures
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Lyme Regis, England • 19th Century
2009
Adult
16-18 years
Super Short Summary
Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier is a historical fiction novel set in 19th-century England. It follows the story of Mary Anning, a working-class woman passionate about fossil hunting, and Elizabeth Philpot, an unmarried middle-class woman. Their friendship defies societal norms as they uncover significant prehistoric fossils that challenge the religious beliefs of their village and advance the study of paleontology.
Informative
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
58,514 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tracy Chevalier’s Remarkable Creatures is praised for its vivid historical setting and strong female protagonists, Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot. Readers appreciate the novel’s exploration of early 19th-century fossil hunting and gender roles. Criticisms include a slow pace and occasional predictability. Overall, it’s lauded for engaging storytelling and well-researched context.
Who Should Read Remarkable Creatures?
A reader who would enjoy Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier is likely a fan of historical fiction centered on groundbreaking women in science. Comparable to readers of The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert and The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, they appreciate richly detailed, character-driven narratives that highlight women's contributions against societal odds.
58,514 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
320
Novel • Fiction
Lyme Regis, England • 19th Century
2009
Adult
16-18 years
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