As the full title does suggest, this book is more a memoir of the sea, the author's exploration of his interactions with the ocean - both as a citizen scientist (he's a physicist with a deep interest in marine biology. Which, TBH, is where I fall, but with *far* less ocean time) and as a human who consumes food and does tourism. I assume carrying over from the original, the translation is very lyrical and successfully evokes the imagery the author's getting at. Including, yes, herring farts. (They're important!)

While I did enjoy these glimpses and descriptions, I tend a bit more technical - for instance, "sardine" at least in my understanding (American English) is a generic term for fish below a certain size, so I would've liked to know which species were included. I don't recall it being mentioned here. Likewise with some of the anecdotes, for instance the people who explore the Paris waterways for fish, more history and background would've been interesting. Of course, it'd also get you a much longer book, but look that is one of many benefits of reading a digital copy. :P

I think overall the translator did a good job bringing his voice through. I do think there's some cultural nuance in phrasing, so worth keeping in mind this was originally written for a Francophone audience. I don't want to say I'm fancy enough to pick up on the dry humor where others might miss it, but, well, that too.

If you're interested in getting impressions of what a well-informed marine enthusiast observes, as well as some fascinating if scattered trivia - from Old Tom to the aforementioned farts - definitely give this a read.

This book reminded me of many ocean-exploring documentary shows I have seen over the years. It captures that sense of awe for the open waters and the creatures that live in them. The author takes on the history of the ocean and a bit of a peek into the future as well. The book was informative but also a bit dreamy and delightful. I would have liked to have had a bit more of a biography of the author as well as resource citations to follow up on some of the specifics of species that were mentioned. Overall an enjoyable read.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book. The review is my honest opinion.

I would have sworn when I read Patrik Svensson's "The Book of Eels" that I had read what would undoubtedly be my most unique reading experience of 2021.

I was wrong.

Bill Francois's "Eloquence of the Sardine: Extraordinary Encounters Beneath the Sea" is a sublime weaving together of poetic and profound centered around Francois's lifelong adventures beneath the sea.

"Eloquence of the Sardine" begins with an introduction of sorts to Francois. An anxiety-ridden child ruled more by his fears than his curiosity, a chance encounter within the sea changed his life forever and, in return, it changes ours as well.

It's difficult to describe the experience of reading "Eloquence of the Sardine," a book that somehow creates a dreamlike state where sea creatures big and small are not just given voice but genuinely approached with a goal of understanding. Francois, a marine scientist and orator, is utterly enchanting here as he brings to life the eloquent worlds of sardines and other sea creatures he's encountered over the years.

The idea of an eloquent sardine seems absurd. Doesn't it? If you're paying attention, Francois explains himself and he explains his discoveries as we experience the world of the sea in a unique and wonderful way.

"Eloquence of the Sardine" is ultimately nature writing both fantastic and factual. One could say that "Eloquence of the Sardine" is also part memoir, though I'd dare say it's more a memoir of a sardine than Francois. Francois takes us deep into the eloquent lives of not just sardines but also a lonely musical whale, a herring that very nearly caused a military conflict, and those fabulous eels.

I really do love eels.

When Francois writes about the conversations of lobsters, one can't help but feel immersed in a world that at least feels previously undiscovered. Francois is a believer in communication, ours and those of the sea creatures, and he seeks understanding that defies comprehensive translation.

There are fleeting moments in "Eloquence of the Sardine" when it feels as if Francois is starting to lose his grasp of this grand task.

But then, he rights himself and his words and he brings it all back into a beautiful balance as both our intellect and our emotions become enveloped by this world that he creates.

So, there you have it.

At less than two hundred pages, "Eloquence of the Sardine" is a relatively quick yet engrossing read that leaves you with new knowledge and desperate to experience this world that seems to have defined so much of Francois's life. You will be changed by this experience and contemplate it whether you are seaside or lakeside or simply about to devour a plate of calamari or even simply a fish sandwich.

"Eloquence of the Sardine" is an extraordinary encounter with Bill Francois and the creatures that live beneath the sea in ancient myths, the pages of literature, and in our everyday lives.

Poetic Narrative More Memoir Than Hard Science. This is a memoir of a man who was afraid of the sea as a small child and who had one chance encounter that turned his life around... and inspired his life long study of the sea. This book really is as much about the author's own experiences and thoughts as it is the actual scientific facts he states throughout, which is seen perhaps most glaringly in the extremely short bibliography (at least on this advance copy I read). But truly poetic and beautiful regardless, one is almost inspired to pursue a career (or perhaps second career) in something that gets one out in, on, or under the water just from the sheer awe Francois shows here. All of this noted, I do have a bit of a bone to pick with the actual title: "eloquence" is "a discourse marked by force and persuasiveness", according to Webster. And while I found quite a bit of beauty, wonder, and awe within this narrative, I found little truly forceful or persuasive. Francois doesn't seem to be making any major point or trying to persuade anyone to any particular position other than the sheer wonder of all that exists under the seas. Truly an excellent work, even with the quibble over a part of the title. Very much recommended.