Night Magic - by Leigh Ann Henion

Book Synopsis

From a New York Times bestselling nature writer comes a celebration of what goes on outside in the dark, from blooming moon gardens to nocturnal salamanders, from glowing foxfire and synchronous fireflies that blink in unison like an orchestra of light.

In this glorious celebration of the night, New York Times bestselling nature writer Leigh Ann Henion invites us to leave our well-lit homes, step outside, and embrace the dark as a profoundly beautiful part of the world we inhabit. Because no matter where we live, we are surrounded by animals that rise with the moon, and blooms that reveal themselves as light fades. Henion explores her home region of Appalachia, where she attends a synchronous firefly event in Tennessee, a bat outing in Alabama, and a moth festival in Ohio. In North Carolina, she finds forests alight with bioluminescent mushrooms, neighborhood trees full of screech owls, and valleys teeming with migratory salamanders. Along the way, Henion encounters naturalists, biologists, primitive-skills experts, and others who've dedicated their lives to cultivating relationships with darkness.

Every page of this lyrical book feels like an opportunity to ask: How did I not know about this before? For example, we learn that it can take hours, not minutes, for human eyes to reach full night vision capacity. And that there are thousands of firefly species on earth, many with flash patterns as unique as fingerprints. In an age of increasing artificial light, Night Magic focuses on the amazing biodiversity that still surrounds us after sunset. We do not need to stargaze into the distant cosmos or dive into the depths of oceans to find awe in the dark. There are dazzling wonders in our own backyards. And readers of World of Wonders, Entangled Life, and The Hidden Life of Trees will discover joy in Night Magic.

Review Quotes

"[An] enthusiastic and meaningful argument to preserve natural darkness and the ecosystems that rely on it, for the sake of the creatures, the plants, and ourselves."--Science News

"Henion skips the exotic travel locales to find wonder in the nighttime world of her own backyard, inspiring to look outside, too... Viewers of Night on Earth, the wildlife documentary series, this one is for you."--Reader's Digest

"Henion's sweet, wise book... is a revelation, a series of captivating field trips illuminating life in the wild at night... You're likely to come away from Night Magic... educated and inspired." --Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"Henion's science-based book about the flora and fauna that adorn the nightscape is also a philosophical exploration of the role darkness plays in our lives . . . Culture tells us to 'step into the light, ' but she asks what might happen if we pause in the darkness to witness what it offers . . . staying alert to the possibility of wonder."--The Washington Post

"Ms. Henion writes beautifully."--Wall Street Journal

Named a Most Anticipated Book of the Season by the Washington Post and Kirkus Reviews

Named an Editors' Pick by Fully Booked Podcast/Kirkus Reviews

"A nature lover's guide to the dark that unfolds like a novel."--The Christian Science Monitor

"Leigh Ann Henion revels in the glow of Appalachian fireflies, moon gardens, and bioluminescent fungi to show how nocturnal life is not something to fear, but to revere." --Garden & Gun

"Henion takes readers on a series of adventures exploring the natural world at night in a voice that seamlessly vacillates between storyteller and poet . . . After reading Night Magic you might find yourself viewing light pollution a little more disparagingly. And you might just experience a little more wonder in your everyday life."--Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"A lyrical, fascinating story about exploring the secret world of darkness and the remarkable creatures within it . . . Henion writes with poetic grace."--Kirkus Reviews

"In Night Magic, darkness is revered, and its secrets are revealed . . . Henion's vivid style of nature writing and complementary self-reflection are reminders that witnessing the extraordinary can be as easy as shifting your bedtime back an hour and going outside."--Scientific American

"The science intrigues . . . but Henion's greatest gift is her ability to evoke the sense of wonder that follows from tuning in to the natural world. This will fill readers with awe." --Publishers Weekly

"Leigh Ann Henion has illuminated the natural treasures that live by night. Moths, fireflies, owls, and much more are brought to attention in these pages with the hope that we can put aside our fear of the dark and experience what happens during a full half of our stay on earth. Night Magic is a beautiful journey."

--Douglas W. Tallamy, New York Times bestselling author of Nature's Best Hope and Bringing Nature Home

"A dazzling reminder of what it means to take stock of our planet's night wisdom, and a prescient reminder to let your vision ripen at night. And if you do--you'll understand why we need more evenings full of foxfire and 'mothapaloozas.' In this vivid book, Henion renders our night world with profound care and discovery. Prepare to be enchanted. Prepare to love the darkness."
--Aimee Nezhukumatathil, New York Times bestselling author of World of Wonders

"Night Magic is an illuminating exploration of the dark. Beautifully written, often moving, and full of wonder."
--Richard Louv, international bestselling author of Last Child in the Woods and Our Wild Calling

"A thrilling exploration of a world that waits for us behind the lights."
--Tristan Gooley, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs and How to Read a Tree

"Brilliant. Leigh Ann Henion is an inspiring and wise guide not only to the biological marvels of night, but also to the communities of people who celebrate and protect the rich life of the dark. Beyond fear of the dark is wonder, vividly evoked in these pages."--David George Haskell, author of Sounds Wild and Broken, The Songs of Trees, and The Forest Unseen

Praise for Phenomenal:

"What a cool and fascinating ride. Leigh Ann Henion has tackled one of the great questions of contemporary, intelligent, adventurous women: Is it possible to be a wife and mother and still explore the world? Her answer seems to be that this is not only possible, but essential. This story shows how. I think it will open doors for many."
-- Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love

"A moving and original memoir about the search for transcendence in moments both large and small."
-- Jenny Offill, author of Dept. of Speculation

"Leigh Ann Henion's exhilarating book (and life!) is everything the title suggests and more. Reading Phenomenal will give you courage--courage to explore the world we live in, and further, courage to explore your self. With moments of breath-stealing beauty, wild intelligence, and unrelenting honesty, Phenomenal is a true gift for everyone who's ever been curious."
-- Ruth Ozeki, author of The Book of Form and Emptiness----

About the Author

Leigh Ann Henion is the New York Times bestselling author of Phenomenal: A Hesitant Adventurer's Search for Wonder in the Natural World. Her work has appeared in Smithsonian, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Southern Living, Garden & Gun, and a variety of other publications. Henion's articles have been cited as notable in The Best American Essays, The Best American Travel Writing, The Best American Sports Writing, and The Best American Science & Nature Writing. She has received four Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers, and her work has been supported by the Alicia Patterson Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Henion lives in the mountains of North Carolina.