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The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

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The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Written by: Elisabeth Tova Bailey
Narrated by: Renee Raudman
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About this listen

 Elisabeth Tova Bailey tells the intimate and inspiring story of her year-long encounter with a snail. While an illness keeps her bedridden, she becomes an astute and amused observer of the snail's surprising nocturnal adventures as it lives in a flowerpot on her nightstand. Intrigued by the snail’s clear decision making abilities, hydraulic locomotion, mysterious courtship, and molluscan anatomy, Bailey takes the listener deep into the life of this tiny amazing animal. With wit and grace, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating recounts a remarkable journey of human and gastropod survival and resilience, and shows how the natural world illuminates our own human existence. Winner of the William Saroyan International Prize for Nonfiction, the John Burrough Medal Award for Natural History, and a National Outdoor Book Award. If you enjoyed Wesley the Owl, The Guest Cat, and Marley & Me, you'll enjoy this unique interspecies audiobook listen.©2010 Elisabeth Tova Bailey (P)2014 Audible Inc. Biological Sciences Personal Development Personal Success Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Travel Writing & Commentary Nonfiction

What the critics say

"Exquisite." ( The Huffington Post)
"Brilliant." ( The New York Review of Books)
"How interesting can a snail be? Entirely captivating, as it turns out. [Bailey] is a marvelous writer, and the marriage of science and poetic mysticism that characterizes this small volume is magical." ( Star Tribune)
"Renee Raudman's slow, gentle, almost hypnotic narration matches the meditative quality of this brief memoir." ( AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant  
I am a massage therapist. I often listen to audiobooks as my clients fall asleep on my table.
This story was written in a fashion of serenity.
This was a perfect story to listen to, to allow myself to stay relaxed and not tense up as I worked on my clients.
I actually slowed the speed down to 8.5 as I listened intently to the beautiful story of healing as two lives intertwined in environments of massive change and struggle to survive. Both receiving outside help to reach their goals of their best lives.
This book is a surprising Journey of patience and perseverance. It is a book that I will enjoy listening to again to make sure I take in all the little nuances of the will to survive and thrive.
I can understand how the author of the story found such peace by watching this little snail, who most wouldn't give a second thought to. She found the Curiosity within the tranquility by watching the daily routines of this little creature surviving outside of its own environment and learning its new landscape only to thrive in the end. You will learn a lot about patience, peace of mind and determination to survive.

peaceful two

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Narrated by a lady who is very ill, this story tells of how her pet snail helps her through the days. She learns many facts about her snail and other snails, but in the mean time, she and the reader learn lots about life. Enjoyable. Well read.

Fun short read that helps one appreciate life.

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this book ingeniously interweaves two different stories with poise and compassion. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Rush to get your hands on a copy immediately. audible has chosen a great narrator as well. I will reread it both through text and audio.

an amazing read

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