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Eloquence of the Sardine: Extraordinary Encounters beneath the Sea Audiobook
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Publisher Description
If we listen to the ocean, what do we hear? What can it teach us? How can it change us?
Written by a marine scientist (and winner of French eloquence competitions), this work of narrative nonfiction blends Bill François’s personal story with that of sea creatures to create an original and exciting work. In poetic prose, he describes his unlikely journey from being a Parisian child, afraid of the water and crippled by self-consciousness, to an eloquent and self-assured young man with a passion for the ocean and all who inhabit it. In doing so, he tells the stories of sardines, anchovies, eels, suckerfish, and whales (to name a few), and demystifies their fascinating conversations.
A mix between science and storytelling from the past and present, Eloquence of the Sardine is an invitation to dive deep and learn from the secrets of the ocean.
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“We live on a planet that is mostly covered in oceans, but we hardly know the stories contained in them. In the tradition of Rachel Carson, Bill François reminds us that these stories come from many voices—lonely whales, educated octopuses, and insatiable tuna—if we’re willing to listen. With lyricism and honesty, François speaks for these voices, whether they live far out on the blue water or show up on our dinner plates. The stories in this book will convince you that these voices are all worth knowing, saving, and celebrating.”
— Nick Pyenson, author of Spying on Whales
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“Delightfully told in stunningly beautiful language, this is a rare book combining deep scientific insight and firsthand experience with the sheer poetry of the sea. Take the plunge, immerse yourself, feel the beauty, and be amazed!"
— Carl Safina, New York Times bestselling author -
“Illuminating…François’s tone is conversational, and his passion and excitement are contagious…The result is a fun deep dive into marine life.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Full of engrossing stories, gentle humor, and wit, Bill François’s eye-opening exploration of the underwater world takes the reader on a fascinating scientific and philosophical journey into the secret lives of fishes. Eloquence of the Sardine is exactly that: eloquent, as well as revelatory and highly readable.”
— Marc Bekoff, coauthor of A Dog’s World: Imagining the Lives of Dogs in a World Without Humans -
“Bill François guides us on a fascinating journey to reveal dimensions beneath the seas rarely seen by most of us. With a talent as a storyteller and the insights of a scientist, he introduces us to a gallery of undersea inhabitants and considers lessons we can learn from them on the future of our oceans. Weaving personal stories with physics theory, history, and parables, Eloquence of the Sardine is an enchanting and insightful exploration of life in the underwater world of our rivers, seas, and oceans.”
— Vint Virga, author of The Soul of All Living Creatures -
“With an elegant mix of storytelling, science, and humor, Bill François delights us with his infectious love of life beneath the waves. These aquatic reveries pry open the oceans’ mysteries to reveal pearls within.”
— Jonathan Balcombe, New York Times bestselling author
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About the Authors
Antony Shugaar is the author of a number of books and has translated hundreds of others, including Everything Is Broken Up by Edoardo Nesi, Notes on a Shipwreck by Davide Enia, and The Piranhas by Roberto Saviano. His translation of Gianni Rodari’s Telephone Tales received the American Library Association’s 2021 Batchelder Award. He is the editor-in-chief of Redcar Press, a new publishing house focusing on translated fiction and graphic novels.
Bill François is a physicist passionate about the marine world. He studied at the ENS school in Paris and then devoted himself to research on hydrodynamics. The eloquence contests he won, like the Le Grand Oral on France 2, propelled him to become passionate about his other world: that of words. He mixes these universes to relay the importance of protecting our oceans.
About Graham Halstead
Graham Halstead, an Earphones Award and Audie Award–winning narrator, is a professionally trained actor and voice artist. As an actor, he has worked internationally in Edinburgh and London, as well as at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. His youthful, easy-flowing voice can be heard on television and radio voicing spots for Airborne and Allegra.