Schutt, Bill. Dark Banquet: Blood and the curious lives of blood-feeding creatures. New York: Harmony Books, 2008. 325pp. ISBN 978-0-307-38112-5.
I found this book by accident and I can’t believe I almost left it on the shelf at the bookstore. It’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a book that I couldn’t put down – especially a work of non-fiction. As the cover implies, the book is about blood and creatures that feed on blood. I’m sure you’ve already guessed at what initially got my attention: the bat flying across the cover. The first section of this 100 pages of this 325-page book is devoted to vampire bats.
It was several days before I finally took the time to start reading the book. I had already convinced myself that it wasn’t going to be much of a page-turner. Imagine my surprise when, by only the second page, my eyes were widening and I was saying aloud to my apartment “oh my God!” In just two short pages I learned something about vampire bats that I never would have imagined. (No, I’m not going to tell you – go get the book!) I was glued and planted myself on the couch to feverishly devour the 100-page section on vampire bats. The next day at work my co-workers were subjected to an impromptu lecture about all of the amazing new things I had learned. In fact, I told just about anyone who would listen because I was so excited about my new information.
I’m afraid that this is turning into one of those movie reviews which is better than any movie could ever live up to. My excitement was due in part to the fact that it had been so long since I had learned something really new and interesting about bats. And I couldn’t wait to share my new knowledge at my next bat lecture (is it February yet?).
What makes this book such a wonderful read (yes, even the chapters on leeches, bedbugs, and blood-letting) is the author’s writing style. He manages to blend scientific fact, history, first-hand accounts, and humor into a pleasurable yet extremely informational read. If you are looking for something different to read, go get this book. I guarantee it will be different than any other book about bats you have read. (And just imagine all of the interesting chit chat when you start sharing your new-found information!)
Batphile 