From the severe onset of my illness and through its innumerable relapses, my place in the world has been documented more by my absence than by my presence. "Everything about a snail is cryptic, and it was precisely this air of mystery that first captured my interest. My own life, I realized, was becoming just as cryptic. And snails usually are a typical example of slow and inconsequential living: Illness took her out of her social circle, and her life seemed slow and inconsequential. This isn't just a science project for her, she sees parallels in her condition as well as the snail's. So much of the research that is out there is fascinating, and Bailey sorts through it and shares the most interesting details. Researchers have studied that too, and I won't go into too much detail, but let's just say lady snails are not complaining about romance in their life! Male snails really knock themselves out on the charm aspect. The process of sealing off their little shell is fascinating, and a study in insulation. Some snails have been known to estivate more than a few years. It's not hibernation (they do that too!) but instead it allows them to become dormant when the weather goes bad, or they lose their preferred food source, etc. They also have a special talent for when the going gets tough in their little world: they start a process called estivation.
As in: snails have teeth, 2200+ of them! Seriously, if they were bigger you'd think twice about stepping on one. Turns out snail research is pretty deep.volumes have been written on every tiny detail. (!!!) As she watches the daily activities of the snail, she manages to study research on snails in general and in detail. They often return to the same place to sleep, and they sleep on their side. They have certain times to eat and sleep and travel. The first surprise is that snails have a daily routine. That she does so with the help of a small snail is astounding. She doesn't simply give up either, she makes clear she wants to fight this unknown assailant on her life. Bailey is not a complainer, actual details of her health are few and without self-pity. This book has very little to do with health issues and far more to do with curiosity and resilience. You might think this would be dull, or worse, that you'd be stuck listening to someone bleakly describing their every physical complaint. Because of her lack of mobility and energy, much of her time was spent observing the creature. First placed in a flower pot and eventually a terrarium, the snail becomes Bailey's constant companion. One day, a friend stops by with a rather odd gift. Without knowing the cause, much less the cure or the course that it might take, the disease was a frightening visitor. Elisabeth Tova Bailey was in her mid-thirties when struck with a mysterious illness that soon led to her complete incapacitation.
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