Parrot - Paul Carter

Belvedere Jehosophat - Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Print Version

New to Reaktion Books' new series, Animal Series, is Paul Carter's Parrot, which attempts to summarise the natural and cultural history of the parrot — the latter, of course, in relation to human beings. It is separated into three sections: Parrotics, which, according to the blurb, covers the historical, cultural and scientific classifications of parrots; Parroternalia, which covers the association of parrots with different languages, ages, tastes and dreams of human society; and, lastly, Parrotology, the mimicry of parrots and what that can tell us about our own systems of communication.

The author has obviously gone to great lengths to research this book: the sheer breadth of sources (ranging from the scientific to popular culture) and illustrations (101 in total, 77 of which are in colour) gives credence to his sociological and psychological speculations.

Expecting a particularly dry read, I found to my astonishment — I admit — that Parrot is, in fact, one of the most delightful books I have read this year. Carter, obviously a genuine parrot enthusiast, laces his book with a charming, subtly oddball sense of humour. The writing seems to carry with it the promise of something deeper, something vaguely inscrutable, perhaps philosophical, that is gently simmering underneath the surface.

The playful writing, however, fails to belie the sincerity with which Carter has written this book. "Parrot can teach us," the book ends — and I apologise if I have given anything away — but it is in the parrot, or, specifically in the way we engage with parrots, that Carter suggests the future of humanity rests. Parrot (the book/the animal) is, in short, a powerful metaphor, and one well worth indulging if it means you'll read this book.

Julie Christie, the rumors are true...

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