Islands of Abandonment: Life in the Post-Human Landscape

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This is far from a grand tour of the world’s beauty spots; some of Flyn’s destinations are the most damaged on Earth.

Flyn ponders what lessons this holds for our intensive, hands-on conservation efforts that often include culling, “ one of the biggest ethical quandaries at the heart of comtemporary conservation” (p.This has been particularly well-studied in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone but is in no way exclusive to it. Photograph: Chris Page View image in fullscreen Cal Flyn’s hypnotic tones chime with the richly descriptive and atmospheric nature of her prose. I was very pleased (though I am, of course, biased) to see her discuss evolution this much—and get it right. Flyn wields the pen of a poet but never loses sight of the importance of getting the biological details right.

Aside from the basic premise, which is interesting enough, the element of the book I found most fascinating was the back-stories to all the locations covered, detailing the many and varied. We pay respect by giving voice to social justice, acknowledging our shared history and valuing the cultures of First Nations.Whether due to war or disaster, disease or economic decay, each extraordinary place visited in this book has been left to its own devices for decades. Previously she has been a reporter for both The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph, and a contributing editor at The Week magazine.