Adrift on the Ark
Our Connection to the Natural World
by Margaret Thompson
Adrift on the Ark is a collection of personal essays by Margaret Thompson that offers a straightforward study of the complex relationship between human beings and the natural world. The essays look at a wide range of beings—from spiders to peacocks—and cover issues such as our irrational phobias, our fascination with zoos, and the myths and stories we have created around the other occupants of this earth. They also observe the joy animals bring to us as our pets and the altruistic relationship between caregivers and companions. With lively anecdotes and engaging portraits of the animals who have enriched Margaret’s life, these entertaining and personal essays serve a double purpose: as a reminder of our place in the natural order and our intricate connections with animals; and as a warning about how much we stand to lose by ignoring our responsibilities for all life on earth.
Meant to inspire and motivate, Adrift on the Ark is an enchanting reflection on the beneficial relationship between humans and other animals.
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"In lush yet charming prose, Thompson examines pets and peacocks, swans and bats, and there's even a chapter called 'Pigs Might Fly.'"
"Margaret Thompson’s writing is charming and insightful. The book takes you into her world of nature with a vitality that is both particular and universal."
"Each essay is a testament to a mutual sharing of subjectivities and moves us toward a relational consciousness, resulting in the beginning of empathy, care, and compasion."
"Margaret Thompson’s essay collection Adrift on the Ark: Our Connection to the Natural World includes anecdotes and personal memories of her encounters with birds and other animals beyond the two-legged variety."
"Thompson's descriptions of the personalities of individual creatures that have shared her life is reminiscent of the writings of Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson (author of The Pig Who Sang to the Moon)."
"Heartwarming and relatable. The [stories] will make you laugh and cry. There is an underlying green message that fits well in today's society."
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