Reading the first couple of pages, I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this but I did enjoy the collection of stories and past experiences that Phillipa spoke about. I found it quite easy to read and the ending did make me chuckle.

Philippa Forrester's captivating book Wild Woman honours the contributions made by women to environmental research and conservation. Forrester emphasises the bravery and tenacity of contemporary trailblazers particularly female pioneers who faced difficult terrain. The stories depict a wide spectrum of women's contributions to working in nature, from historical individuals to modern-day heroes.

Though the book's subject matter is inspirational, there are moments when the narrative seems disjointed. Although the individual stories are intriguing, there isn't a strong connecting theme that makes them work as a unit. Furthermore, Forrester's personal thoughts on her experiences can eclipse the accounts of the women she features. It's an insightful book overall with some really powerful passages, but it falls short of reaching its full potential.

This is such a lovely book. Blurring the line between nature book and memoir, it's incredibly thoughtful and thought provoking. Really a wonderful read.

A wonderful look at nature and the role women play in it. I think most women will find something to relate to in this book and I found it quite self reflective at times

An engaging read. Multi layered with the author's own story of a sad time in her life, together with stories of other women who have been empowered by nature.,
There are many fascinating facts that emerge and I learnt about how the introduction of certain species in turn then helps other species survive.
The author shows us the strong relationship between nature and women.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.

Unfortunately I didn't get along with this and couldn't finish it before the archive date. I do like the concept of combining memoir and factual writing in general, but I'm not sure it works in this case. I found the memoir parts too chatty and the factual parts left me wanting more. The author shows us that she can write well about the other women, so I would have preferred more focus on them if I had to choose.

I've grown up watching philippa forester on TV so I knew I had to read this book!
The book switches between tales of getting her life back on track after the sad end to her marriage and moving back to the UK and stories of women she has either met or read about that to her are considered wild women.
The stories told are full of passion sometimes sad but all interesting.
A gem of a book if you enjoy nature writing.

This is an interesting and thoughtful book. We join the author, Phillipa Forester, as she contemplates her place in the world and nature following her return to her UK family home post-divorce. Interspersed between her musings are tales of women working in nature and of female animals doing what they must to survive in the world.

Part introspective journal, part celebration of women working in nature, Wild Women is a welcome addition to an all too male-dominated genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers, Bloomsbury Wildlife, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and read it really quickly. It starts with sadness - Philippa and her husband have separated and she has returned to the UK to start again as a single mother with three sons. But it quickly starts to be something more hopeful as the author describes clearing the lane for the oil delivery to get through and brandishing a machete to clear brambles.

Throughout the book the narrative switches between Philippa's home life and her challenges with the land around her house and stories about women in nature who she has met or interviewed. The nature stories are about lions and bears and caribou and literally take place all around the world. It's all fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the first story about rewilding in South Africa and creating a reserve between two national parks that has the potential to act as a wildlife corridor.

Two things would have made this a five star read for me. Firstly more stories. Jane Goodall is mentioned in passing but I felt that a section covering her work would have been appropriate. And when rewilding was mentioned, I immediately thought of Isabella Tree and the UK rewilding project at Knepp. I'm not in the industry and these people were obvious to me. I like that the author included less obvious women but surely there are many, many more who were omitted? Secondly, I would have loved to hear more about the author's own work. The otter, featured in a previous book The River, is mentioned as is winning Wildlife Photographer of the Year, but really very little else.

Despite my last comments, I massively recommend this book. It is very well written and researched and full of really interesting stories.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF
Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me. I found the writing to be a good and emotive, but the content just wasn't what I was expecting. I wanted more actual wildlife rather than an internal monologue about depression and psychology related theories. It just wasn't what I expected to read and wasn't for me, even though I do think the writing was good. So sadly I couldn't finish reading the book.