To Know a Fly by Vincent Dethier
Reviewed by: Sylvia Shults, Circulation
Genre: Non-Fiction, Biology
Suggested Age: Adults
What is the book about?: Vincent Dethier, a biologist working in the 1960s, wrote this charming little book as a popular look at the research he was doing at the university at which he worked (the name of the institution is not mentioned in the text). The book is a lively look at the experiments Dethier did with common houseflies, and what they can tell us about fly biology and behavior.
My Review: “Although small children have taboos against stepping on ants because such actions are said to bring rain, there has never seemed to be a taboo against pulling off the legs or wings of flies. Most children eventually outgrow this behavior. Those who do not either come to a bad end or become biologists.” With an opening sentence such as this, you know the author has a sense of humor about his subject, even if that subject is the lowly housefly. This book was one of many science-oriented books that lay around the house when I was a kid — my father was keenly interested in science of all kinds, and he brought home a LOT of books. I read this in grade school — really, I mostly picked it up because of the title, and because when I flipped through it, curious as to why it was titled so, I saw there were cartoons. But the science I found in this book was accessible even to a kid in fifth grade. Dethier wrote with an easy style — he seemed to know that people would be more likely to read a book on housefly biology if it was presented with more humor than stodgy facts. The facts are there, but they are coated with an undeniably humorous approach that makes them go down way easier than most books about insects.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Light, approachable, interesting
Give This a Try if You Like… feeling smart, but don’t want to wade through the boring parts of a science book.
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!