How does it view the world? How does it make such a perfect spiral shell? What’s hermaphrodite sex like? What’s up with all the slime? Drawing strength from her new friendship and calling on her local library, she initiates an exhaustive mollusk research program from her bed to find answers to these questions and many more. Over time, the author becomes increasingly caught up in the snail’s many mysteries. After noticing small nibbles on envelopes, Bailey realizes that the snail needs a more traditional habitat and – with the help of friends – sets up a well furnished terrarium. Initially, the snail spends the day resting on the bits of loose moss covering the houseplant’s soil, but she (or he) rapidly grows accustomed to her new surroundings and embarks on wide ranging nocturnal explorations throughout Bailey’s sick room. Bailey’s unsure what to make of her new house guest, but given that she literally has nothing else to do she starts watching. In an effort to supply moral support, a thoughtful friend brings her a small houseplant and a wild snail that she collected in the nearby woods. 24, 2010 In this quiet but moving debut, essayist Bailey chronicles a year during which her fascination with the simple life of a snail kept isolation at bay and gave purpose to her life. Struck down by a mysterious illness at age 34, Bailey is forced to spend many months in bed, often unable to even sit up. THE SOUND OF A WILD SNAIL EATING A TRUE STORY by Elisabeth Tova Bailey RELEASE DATE: Aug. In The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, writer Elisabeth Tova Bailey proves this thesis in convincing fashion.
While topics like Antarctica, great white sharks or the tropical rainforest can fascinate, sometimes a simple snail in a bedroom can be equally captivating.
The same is true for great nature writing. Whether it’s a Chopin prelude, the Mona Lisa or a Stephen King novella, the audience can take pleasure in a diminutive and finely crafted product. Sometimes great art can be the equivalent of a postage stamp.
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