BOOK REVIEW: Swan by Dan Keel

3.5 Stars

As a huge bird lover, I am always wanting to learn more about individual birds and ornithology as a whole. Although Swans are actually one of my least favourite birds, I was still looking forward to reading this book and getting to know more about them.
This book is split up into many sections and contains some very interesting information including general information about swans, their history, swan myths, how humans are affecting them, tips for bird photography and much more. What I would have liked was more of the actual biology of the bird, however I did learn a lot about Swans that I didn't know and have been left with a greater respect for these beautiful birds.

The writing by Dan Keel was informative and engaging and made for a quick read.
Overall an interesting book that all birders should pick up and enjoy. I will definitely read more by this author.

Please note that I was #gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was an easy read, but not perhaps the in-depth book about swans and their mythos that I was hoping for - this is more of a lightweight book that throws out a lot of fun snippets, mixed in with long anecdotes about the author's birdwatching experiences, than a full exploration of the cultural impact of swans. As someone with a lifelong interest in myth and how it shows up in stories and art, I was excited to look at how the swan came to have its various symbolisms, and specific ways in which they echo through culture, but each new element of swanhood offered here is surface-level, just mentioned and moved on from. You'll hear about Leda and the swan, for example, but it's pretty much just a telling of the story and a description of some of the lewder statues, with little further exploration.

I can see this being a popular gift book for bird fans this Christmas, and I will say that I enjoyed the fact that it wasn't, as these books so often tend to be, a grief memoir veiled in a nature book. However, it wasn't a fully satisfying read for me - a little bit disjointed, and a little bit too shallow. It felt like having a chat with a friend in a pub about swans - this chatty, light tone might be exactly what you're looking for!

Swan by Dan Keel explores the significance of swans as part of history, mythology, art and culture and the natural world.