French Literature Reviews - 2026
Andrès Cota Hiriart, Encounters with Extraordinary Animals
History, Politics and Society
Translated from Spanish (Mexico) by Bertrand Fillaudeau
What should you do if a python mistakes your arm for the rodent it intended to make its meal? And what if you cross paths with a crocodile in your living room?
In Encounters with Extraordinary Animals, Andrés Cota Hiriart recounts his adventures with the wild and unusual creatures that have accompanied him throughout his life. From childhood memories—where his passion for insects, reptiles, and the most curious amphibians turned his mother's house into a domestic zoo—to his naturalist expeditions to the Galápagos Islands, Borneo, and Guadalupe, he weaves together personal recollections, anecdotes, and scientific observations in this witty and engaging narrative.
Axolotls, orangutans, Komodo dragons, tarsier monkeys, rainbow boas, sea lions, emperor scorpions, four-horned chameleons... encounter after encounter, we follow the unique journey of a contemporary apprentice naturalist, watching as he develops a perspective on the beauty of wildlife and a growing awareness of its fragility.
Andrés Cota Hiriart (Mexico, 1982) is a writer and naturalist. He studied biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He currently heads the Society of Anonymous Scientists and hosts the radio show and podcast Masaje cerebral. In 2022, he was a finalist for the Asteroide Books Non-Fiction Prize for Encounters with Extraordinary Animals.
Bridging the gap between creative nonfiction and natural history, this engaging work belongs to the rich tradition of naturalist writing that documents the wonders of the natural world. Born in Mexico in 1982, Andres Cota Hiriart draws upon his formal training in biology at UNAM to ground his personal anecdotes in accurate scientific observation. His narrative explores human interactions with wildlife, ranging from childhood fascination with domestic terrariums to international expeditions across the Galápagos Islands, Borneo, and Guadalupe, offering readers a firsthand look at field biology and ecological exploration today.
This book will particularly appeal to readers interested in contemporary Latin American non-fiction, environmental literature, and popular science writing about biodiversity. It addresses vital questions concerning animal behavior, human coexistence with wildlife, and the increasing fragility of global ecosystems. By following the author's journey from an enthusiastic apprentice naturalist to a knowledgeable science communicator and radio host, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and vulnerability of our planet's most unusual and remarkable creatures.