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There are currently 18 member reviews
for Still Life
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Susan S. (Lakeville, MA)
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I would.
The book is about taxidermy and I requested it to review out of morbid curiosity. My opinions of taxidermists have not been favorable, but this book changed my mind. I now believe that they are both scientists and artists. The book is well written, well organized and entertaining. It is not overly technical and while always very respectful of the profession, it is often humorous. If you have every visited a natural history museum (especially the American Museum of Natural History in New York City) you will enjoy reading about how the dioramas in these museums are created and the amount of skill that is required to create them. My impression of the book can be summed up by the author's own words when she was attending a taxidermy trade show and she watched a demonstration "amazed and bewildered." Me, too.
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Anne B. (Fredonia, WI)
If you like the strange...
If you think the title is odd, wait until you meet the characters of this off-hand, fascinating read. Stuffed animal lovers, lovers of the creepy, odd and whatever is opposite of the chick-book, read this, really. It will take you into another world you really never planned on going to, but will glad once you've arrived.
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Portia A. (Mount Laurel, NJ)
Taxidermy Made Interesting
Melissa Milgrom did it ... she actually made the subject of her book very interesting. Although at times the book seemed to read like like an extended magazine article, taxidermy was much more complex in its history and use than I would have imagined. I learned things I didn't know and enjoyed the change of pace from the things I usually read.
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Terye B. (Scotts Valley, CA)
By the skin of their teeth
It's enjoyable reading and learning about a topic you haven't read about before. That's what I thought as I started this book. The book would have been better suited being told in some sort of linear fashion. I enjoyed the first chapter quite a bit, but the continuous back and forth of time periods, of museum and convention and personal interviews was jarring and repetitious. Throughout the book the author hints that she will attempt taxidermy herself, under the tutelage of seasoned professional. When the event finally comes (toward the end of the book) I had become bored and my interest in the beauty and science of the profession was waning. While i enjoyed the facts that were presented, I would have preferred a more familiar tone, and I would have loved to see pictures of the displays she discussed. I go away with an appreciation of the craft of taxidermy, and wished that i could also appreciate the authors craft of writing.
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Lola T. (Broken Arrow, OK)
Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy
I grew up in the Midwest where hunting and fishing were not only acceptable but imperative activities, if you were to be admitted into many circles. So the subject matter of taxidermy wasn't one that was going to be a turn-off, in fact, I was looking forward to reading it, thinking that maybe, just maybe, Still Life would be that genius gift for the men in my life. I wish I could be gushing in my praise of the book, but that is not the case. Although the actual writing of the book was well-done, I just had to struggle to get through the book. There just wasn't that "pull" that a reader feels to want to read the next page and then the next. I guess the whole premise of a writer taking time off to follow taxidermists around just lacked that spark. She wrote well, but nothing enticed me to go ahead and read the next chapter. The book might appeal to taxidermists and perhaps natural scientists, but beyond that I can't see book clubs or very many people reading this book just for the pleasure of it.
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Donna W. (Hamilton, NJ)
Still Life
This is an interesting look at the historical significance of taxidermy, and one woman's journey trying to master, not only the craft but the art. As the masters try to preserve not only the physical presence but also the essence of their subjects, she comes to appreciate their struggle.
This would be an interesting read for a student looking for a good essay topic for English.
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WDH (New Port Richey, FL)
Interesting and Weird
I have to admit I struggled through reading this book and I'm known as the one who will read anything. Although, it was interesting and contained a lot of information I didn't know, it was not something I would normally pick up to read and it was, at times, a little gruesome. However, that's one of the things I enjoy about BookBrowse - you never know what's going to arrive in the mail. If you're looking for something really 'different' - try this book - you'll expand your knowledge of a little known practice. The book is part history about taxidermy, part information about people who practice the art and part stories about people who covet examples of taxidermy for a wide variety of reasons. Who knew that there are exhibitions and auctions, serious competition in specific categories, how to declare your specimens when traveling and that there are so many ways and reasons to preserve and display animals? The author did a lot of research and writes clearly about the subject. She actually even takes what she learns and creates her own specimen.
