In 1764, two Englishwomen set out to prove that swallows--contrary to the great Linnaeus's belief--do not hibernate underwater. But they must be patient and experiment in secret, such actions being inappropriate for the female of the species. In 1862, a hopeless naturalist heads off for yet another journey, though he can't seem to rid his conscience of the thousands of animals that have already died in his service. In 1971, a pregnant young woman, ill at ease with her socially superior husband and his stepchildren, hears of a Tierra del Fuegan taken hostage by the commander of the
Beagle in 1835. This unwilling specimen was, we read, "captured, exiled, re-educated; then returned, abused by his family, finally re-accepted. Was he happy? Or was he saying that as a way to spite his captors? Darwin never knew."
Many of the characters who populate Andrea Barrett's National Book Award-winning collection,
Ship Fever, feel similarly displaced in the world. They long to prove themselves in both science and love, but are often thwarted by gender, social position, or the prevailing order. In "The Behavior of the Hawkweeds," the wife of a genetics professor has learned that each narrative of discovery is matched by one, if not more, "in which science is not just unappreciated, but bent by loneliness and longing." Barrett's astonishing tales of ambition and isolation convey the meaning and feeling behind the patterns--scientific and emotional--but slip free of easy closure. The two women in "Rare Bird," like the swallows, depart England for more conducive climes, or so the brother of one believes. The reader is left to hope, and imagine. Much has been made of Andrea Barrett's interlacing of history, knowledge, and fact--and rightly so. But equal attention should be paid to the brilliant serenity and exactitude of her style.
--Kerry Fried
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I first discovered Andrea Barrett when I read one of the short storiesin her collection SHIP FEVER, entitled "The Behaviour of theHawkweeds" in BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES. ... In her other tales in this collection, Barret explores experiences and perspecives associatedwith science and medicine in the 19th century. One tale "Sorache"describes the terrible consequences of a treatment for altitude sickness ona pregnant tourist. In "Birds With No Feet" a young naturalist realizes his love of nature and his scientific exploits are on a deadly collision. My second favorite story (after Hawkweeds) is the eponymoustale "Ship Fever." I could relate to this tale because my great-grandmother Anna Mary immigrated from Genderalden Bavaria in the 1850s to Chicago, where the members of her family were struck down by Cholera. Of herfamily--father, mother, four brothers and herself--only Anna Mary andone brother survived. In "Ship Fever" Barrett recounts theterrible effects of Cholera on the immigrant ships.... These are wonderfuland moving stories. Barrett enlightens us about life in the 19th Century, where science promised so much while simultaneously introducing a new worldof pain and terror.
