Date: 3/16/26 1:48 pm From: Gary A Kelsberg via Tweeters <tweeters...> Subject: [Tweeters] “The Impossible Thing” book recommendation
A real and (very) rare blood red guillemot egg forms the focus of this historical fiction novel by Belinda Bauer. Set among the seabird colonies on the Yorkshire cliffs alternately in the 1920’s and the present day, it tells the story of egg collectors who seek to acquire the most unusual ones, and the “climmers” who make their living robbing nests. The descriptions of birds on their nesting ledges, their uniquely patterned eggs, and the human activity is historically (and oölogically) accurate. Some of the characters are based on real people, although the story is augmented by the author.
Tweeters might focus on the bird-related details; I found the story and the protagonists compelling, one of the most enjoyable reads in years. The book was long-listed for the Booker Prize.
Gary Kelsberg
kelsberg at yew dot warshington dot ee-dew _______________________________________________ Tweeters mailing list <Tweeters...> http://mailman11.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
