While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that has taken up residence on her nightstand. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own place in the world.
Intrigued by the snail’s molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, offering a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this underappreciated small animal.
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world can illuminate our own human existence, while providing an appreciation of what it means to be fully alive.
I picked up and recently finished this book, recommended by a friend to help me relax a little before falling asleep. Without spoilers, the book tells the story of a woman who has a severe illness which forces her to stay bedridden for many years. During that time, she adopts a snail who accidentally found its way inside her home, and the snail becomes a both a vehicle for companionship and an allegory for her illness-induced isolation.
The storytelling and writing is really outstanding; when describing her own medical situation, Bailey has a bleak and gripping tone that makes you almost feel like you are sick yourself and suffering alongside her. This makes the extended dives into the comings and goings of the titular snail that much more refreshing; you feel the relief and escape she felt gazing into her terrarium and watching the snail live its own life as she could not live hers, and yet, just like her, isolated and alone.
I originally picked up the book to help unwind and decompress before falling asleep; I heard the vivid imagery and plodding descriptions of the snail would be well suited to this. And I definitely found this to be true; Bailey's descriptions have a relaxing, almost meditative quality that fully immerses you in her small two-creature world.
I was astonished to learn in the notes at the end that the experience Bailey describes in the book was completely real; I honestly didn't look too much into the book before picking it up and assumed it was fictional or only based in part on a real story.
The book was really excellent and I can definitely recommend if you want something relaxing to help decompress from your day-to-day stress. Despite having finished it, I occasionally revisit some bookmarked sections with particularly wonderful descriptions--like the building of the terrarium or the snail's ever-longer journeys from its original clay-pot oasis--to help me relax and fall asleep.
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| Book cover |
