Anthill: A Novel

An exciting, deep, beautiful novel, original and seamless

I have read several of E.O. Wilson's books, starting with The Diversity of Life. I used his biogeographical theory as part basis for a thesis and, as an evolutionary sociologist, I lapped up his Consilience. Most recently I read a short kindle version on ants by Wilson and someone else. For me, Anthill was a lovely, lovely book. I read it overnight and it is now installed amongst my top ten ever. I was curious to see what sort of novel E.O. Wilson would produce. I feared that it might be stilted and contrived, since he his primarily a scientist of very seasoned vintage. He writes his scientific books so well, however, that I should not have expected anything stilted. Would he be able to create a successful and original plot? The answer is yes. Why did I choose to read a novel by E.O. Wilson? I was looking for answers that the book seemed to promise, about the problems of wilderness and biodiversity disappearing under the jackboot of 'progress' i.e. property development in the service of overpopulation. I didn't really think that Wilson would provide anything new, so I was gratified when he did. He kind of fleshed out ideas that had been hovering in my mind about how to deal with property developers. His chief character felt as I do. His creation provided a form of solidarity to me. It more than entertained me; it inspired me. I am not very inclined to compare authors but Wilson's way of drawing the reader in actually reminded me of Anne Tyler and his style in creating atmosphere reminded me of Trueman Capote's Grass Harp. However, the substance of the novel was oh so much more than Tyler's or Capote's (of course). As other reviewers have noted, Wilson manages to make the reader think like an ant, which is quite an experience. We see the land described in the book from the points of view of a naturalist and then that of ants. I felt as if I was there and walking with the main character. The things that Wilson picks from the environment are very like those that I n...