Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell

by Sy Montgomery

Matthew D Patterson (Illustrator) and Matt Patterson (Illustrator)

From National Book Award finalist for The Soul of an Octopus and New York Times bestseller Sy Montgomery comes an ode to one of the most diverse, fascinating, and beloved species on the planet: turtles. With elegance, journalistic curiosity, and gorgeous artwork, this nonfiction investigation speaks to the wonder and wisdom of our long-lived cohabitants, who reveal to us astonishing new perspectives on time and healing.

When acclaimed naturalist Sy Montgomery and wildlife artist Matt Patterson arrive at Turtle Rescue League, they are greeted by hundreds of turtles recovering from injury and illness. Endangered by cars and highways, pollution and poachers, these turtles—with wounds so severe that even veterinarians would have dismissed them as fatal—are given a second chance at life. The League’s founders, Natasha and Alexxia, live by one motto: Never give up on a turtle.

But why turtles? What is it about them that inspires such devotion? Ancient and unhurried, long-lived and majestic, their lineage stretches back to the time of the dinosaurs. Some live to two hundred years, or longer. Others spend months buried under cold winter water. Montgomery turns to these little understood yet endlessly surprising creatures to probe the eternal question: How can we make peace with our time?

In pursuit of the answer, Sy and Matt immerse themselves in the delicate work of protecting turtle nests, incubating eggs, rescuing sea turtles, and releasing hatchlings to their homes in the wild. We follow the snapping turtle Fire Chief on his astonishing journey as he battles against injuries incurred by a truck.

Hopeful and optimistic, Of Time and Turtles is an antidote to the instability of our frenzied world. Elegantly blending science, memoir, philosophy, and drawing on cultures from across the globe, this compassionate portrait of injured turtles and their determined rescuers invites us all to slow down and slip into turtle time.

• ISBN10: 0358458188
• ISBN13: 9780358458180
• Publish Date: 9 November 2023 (first published 19 September 2023)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 19 September 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Mariner Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 272
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Of Time and Turtles is a very well written, warm, often touching memoir of turtle conservation by Sy Montgomery. Released 19th Sept 2023 by HarperCollins on their Mariner imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a truly engaging, often harrowing, and lovingly told memoir. It's a stark reminder that turtles, who literally roamed the earth with the dinosaurs, are threatened, and many are on the brink of extinction, simply because of habitat loss and encounters with humans and vehicles. 

The people who are desperately trying to ameliorate, protect, heal, and often repatriate wild animals are fighting a constant uphill desperate battle to save animals from predation and loss (mostly because in any encounter with humans, the animal tends to lose). Some of the veterinary techniques and treatment developments are amazing and creative. It's impressive to read about the engagement and passion of the people who are doing their best for the turtles.

The text throughout is enhanced by beautifully rendered line drawings from wildlife artist Matt Patterson. Many of them were so realistic, even for simple line drawings, that the movement was evident. 

There were many sad (realistic) parts in the book, but they were balanced somewhat by the triumphs and successes. The book is annotated throughout and the bibliography and resources lists at the back of the book will provide readers with many more hours of investigation. 

Four and a half stars. This would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition and home use. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.