is a marvelous writer, and the marriage of science and poetic mysticism that characterizes this small volume is magical.” - Minneapolis Star Tribune “How interesting can a snail be? Entirely captivating, as it turns out. “Universal, deeply felt, and with an enormously generous soul, the gently told story grants readers a heightened appreciation for the ever-shrinking, ever-fascinating, secretive parts of our unkempt world.” - Alexandra Fuller for The Daily Beast GREAT TITLES TO ADD TO THE NYT BEST OF 2010, Huffington Post TOP TEN ADULT SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY BOOKS FOR 2010, BooklistīEST BOOKS OF 2010: MORE OF THE BEST, Library Journal NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD FOR 2010 in Natural History LiteratureīOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE AWARD, FINALIST for Inspirational Memoir WINNER OF THE JOHN BURROUGHS MEDAL (2011) WINNER OF THE WILLIAM SAROYAN INTERNATIONAL PRIZE FOR NONFICTION (2012) The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world can illuminate our own human existence, while providing an appreciation of what it means to be fully alive. Intrigued by the snail’s molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, offering a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this underappreciated small animal. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own place in the world.

While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that has taken up residence on her nightstand. In a work that beautifully demonstrates the rewards of closely observing nature, Elisabeth Tova Bailey shares an inspiring and intimate story of her encounter with a Neohelix albolabris-a common woodland snail.

“Brilliant.” - The New York Review of Books Winner of The Saroyan International Prize for Writing, the John Burroughs Medal, and the National Outdoor Book Award in Natural History Literature

The sound of a wild snail eating