Remarkable Creatures is a fantastic book! Based on the true story of Mary Anning the working class girl with a great gift for uncovering fossils. The prejudice and sexism she had to endure are mind boggling. A great book that you won't soon forget.

I dont normally like reading about real people - biographies and autobiographies are just not my thing. This was a book club read and the book was hard to get hold of in Australia. When I saw the size of the print I wondered if I could manage it...... but I loved it. Tracy Chevalier wove a wonderful story around the friendship of Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot both avid collectors of fossils in early 19th century England when women were supposed to marry and have children and NOT be interested in things scientific.

It wasn't the book advertised. Now I need to buy the one with the red cover as advertised but not.

I have just bought this copy for a student teacher who knew nothing about the wonderful Mary Anning - it has both entertained her and given her a really solid scientific base when discussing fossils with our primary pupils. Clearly Mary Anning was not an easy person to work with - but it also gives a good insight into the class and education system and the role ( or not ) if women in society. I am waiting for her to finish it so that I can read it again!