Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC of this book!

I enjoyed this memoir so much! Richard Fortey is a British palaeontologist and natural historian and this memoir was a chronicle of his youth and how his upbringing and childhood led him to his path in the sciences. I'm a big fan of memoirs structured like this (kind of reminds me of the Gerald Durrell trilogy, now that I think of it) and I enjoyed glimpsing it from his eyes. How his career started as a 'curious boy', to what he's become now was a fascinating journey, and I'm sure all fans of natural history would enjoy it as well.

I first became aware of Richard Fortey when I read his fascinating book about trilobites about twenty years ago. I loved that book then and have maintained an interest in his work when he released new books and occasionally appeared on television.

I was therefore intrigued when I was given the opportunity to read and review Fortey's memoir of his early life and studies, A Curious Boy. This autobiography really allowed me to get to know the young Fortey and explore his fascination with the natural world alongside him as he grew up. The book is a portrait not only of himself but of his family and of the English countryside, looking at the changes that there have been over the second half of the twentieth century and on to today. The experience of reading the book was like talking to a favourite uncle or erudite older friend and hearing about his formative days. Trilobites turn up of course and I found Fortey's account of fossil hunting in the frozen north as an undergraduate to be particularly fascinating.

A recommended read for people with an interest in nature, trilobites or really well-told memoirs.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Enjoyable and well-written; Fortey's memoir is nostalgia-driven and dives into delicate themes of family, memory, loss and creativity.

This is quite an old fashioned memoir, which I rather enjoyed. It suits the author and the subject matter. Richard Fortey is a paleontologist, natural historian and a world expert on trilobites. This is a memoir of his early years. He describes how his family life shaped his passion for the natural world and how a series of happy accidents found him his passion and his speciality. It is, by its nature, rather nostalgic and I liked the fact that the loss of many of the habitats and flora and fauna that shaped his life is echoed in his memories of lost family members. It's a great balance of learning and memoir.

This book was so different to my usual reads. But it was wonderful! I loved learning about Richard Fortey and his amazing childhood. I shall definitely be recommending this to some of my students. Richards enquiring mind is just marvellous. This book will be a real inspiration for so many young scientists. Dare to dream!!