Katherine Rundell’s “Vanishing Treasures” is an extraordinary achievement that defies easy categorization. Part natural history, part poetic meditation, and part impassioned plea for conservation, this collection of essays introduces readers to 23 remarkable creatures teetering on the edge of extinction. Through Rundell’s masterful prose, we encounter animals both familiar and obscure – from the centuries-old Greenland shark to the iridescent golden mole – each portrayed with a combination of scientific precision and literary artistry that makes their potential loss feel personally devastating.
The book’s greatest strength lies in Rundell’s ability to make the unfamiliar feel intimate. Her writing style seamlessly blends rigorous research with an almost magical realist sensibility that brings these creatures vividly to life. When she describes how seahorses dance together each morning before parting ways, or how bears recycle their own urea during hibernation, the facts feel less like dry biology and more like discovering secrets of the universe.
However, this poetic approach occasionally comes at the cost of scientific depth. While Rundell’s research is evident, readers seeking comprehensive biological profiles may find themselves wanting more detailed information about some species’ behaviors and ecosystems. The book’s structure – organizing each chapter around a single animal – sometimes feels constraining, potentially oversimplifying the complex web of relationships that define natural systems.
Writing Style & Literary Merit
Rundell’s prose is nothing short of extraordinary. Having previously won the Baillie Gifford Prize for her biography “Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne,” she brings the same literary sophistication to natural history. Her sentences dance with metaphor and unexpected connections, making even the most obscure creatures feel worthy of wonder. Consider her description of the pangolin: “Pangolins are more beautiful than seems plausible in this fallen old world; they look as though they should be strictly prelapsarian.”
The author’s background in children’s literature (including acclaimed works like “The Explorer” and “Rooftoppers”) shines through in her ability to make complex concepts accessible without oversimplification. She treats her readers as intelligent partners in discovery rather than passive recipients of information.
Strengths & Notable Elements
- Exceptional research woven seamlessly with historical anecdotes and cultural references
- Vivid, memorable descriptions that bring each creature to life
- Powerful advocacy that never feels preachy
- Thoughtful balance between scientific fact and emotional resonance
- Strong connection between individual species and larger environmental concerns
Areas for Improvement
- Some chapters could benefit from more detailed ecological context
- Occasional tendency to romanticize certain species at the expense of scientific precision
- The structure sometimes feels repetitive despite the diversity of subjects
- Could include more concrete conservation actions for readers
Impact & Relevance
What sets “Vanishing Treasures” apart from other natural history works is its urgent contemporary relevance. Rundell doesn’t just describe these creatures – she makes a compelling case for why their preservation matters to human civilization. The book arrives at a crucial moment when biodiversity loss threatens global ecosystems, making its message particularly timely.
Educational Value
The book serves as an excellent introduction to conservation biology for general readers. Rundell’s ability to explain complex concepts through engaging narratives makes this an ideal text for:
- Students of environmental science
- Nature enthusiasts
- Conservation advocates
- Anyone interested in understanding biodiversity loss
Comparison with Similar Works
While “Vanishing Treasures” shares themes with other nature writing classics like Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” or Elizabeth Kolbert’s “The Sixth Extinction,” its approach is uniquely personal and poetic. Rundell’s style more closely resembles the nature writing of Helen Macdonald or Robert Macfarlane, blending scientific observation with personal reflection and cultural history.
Critical Reception
The book has received widespread acclaim, though some scientific reviewers have noted its occasional prioritization of literary flourish over technical precision. However, this seems a conscious choice that serves the book’s larger purpose of inspiring general readers to care about biodiversity loss.
Conclusion
“Vanishing Treasures” is a remarkable achievement that manages to be both a celebration of life’s diversity and a warning about its fragility. While not perfect, its few shortcomings are far outweighed by its considerable strengths. Rundell has created something rare: a book about extinction that leaves readers feeling not just concerned but inspired to action.
The book succeeds brilliantly in its primary aim – to make readers fall in love with the extraordinary creatures we share our planet with, and to understand what we stand to lose if we fail to protect them. It’s a work that deserves to be read widely and taken seriously as both literature and environmental advocacy.
For its exceptional prose, important message, and ability to inspire wonder, despite occasional sacrifices of scientific depth for literary effect.
Recommendation
Essential reading for:
- Nature and wildlife enthusiasts
- Environmental advocates
- Literary nonfiction readers
- Anyone concerned about biodiversity loss
Consider reading if you enjoyed:
- “H is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald
- “Underland” by Robert Macfarlane
- “The Soul of an Octopus” by Sy Montgomery
This review reflects my honest assessment of “Vanishing Treasures” as both a literary work and a contribution to natural history writing. While not without its flaws, it stands as an important addition to contemporary environmental literature.