The Story

This isn’t a novel in the usual sense. There’s no single hero or plot. Instead, *More Beetles* picks up where Fabre’s first book left off, diving into the lives of specific insects he watched in his garden in southern France. He’s like a neighbor who calls you over to the fence to show you something incredible happening in the dirt. One chapter follows the sacred scarab beetle as it rolls its dung ball over rocks and sticks like a tiny Atlas struggling with a giant sphere. Another chapter gets up close with a ground beetle whose larvae trick ants into feeding them. Fabre sets up experiments in jars and under glass, letting you see what the bugs do when they think no one is watching. The stakes are always survival: hunger, thirst, predators, and bad weather are real threats. Fabre’s storytelling? It’s half detective mystery, half nature diary. You’re always waiting to find out: what will this beetle do next?

Why You Should Read It

Reading *More Beetles* feels like sitting next to someone who’s genuinely delighted by small things. Fabre’s sentences zing with personality—he’s amazed by the patience of a praying mantis and a little grossed out by some beetle dining habits. There’s real tension in his writing. When a beetle larva tries to stun a caterpillar before eating it alive, you’re kind of rooting for the larva, because Fabre has made it a heroic survivor. He also takes on bad science: he scoffs at any expert who claims animals are just automatons. He believes insects think (sort of), form habits, and make mistakes. You’ll side-eye a self-righteous scientist alongside him, chuckle at an overturned beetle, and maybe gag when you read about a chemical defense squirt—but you won’t be bored. It’s a love letter to curiosity, not just about bugs but about the world underfoot.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who likes Bill Bryson’s storytelling, Mary Roach on nature, or fan of outside mysteries. If you ever daydreamed about being a naturalist, it’s a wonderful cheap trip. If big bugs stress you out? It might win you over—the tone is wry and human. Scientists read Fabre as a founder of ethology, but you don’t need a degree; eighth grade reading friendliness is real here. Because the writing never talks down, new folks will feel welcome. If hate nature writing dry? This may fix that. Grab book; patience dung beetles will thank you later. Also, great bridge gift.