The Light Eaters

The New Science of Plant Intelligence

Zoë Schlanger author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers

Published:9th May '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in another edition too:

The Light Eaters cover

This book explores the fascinating realm of plant intelligence and sentience, redefining our understanding of the green life forms around us in The Light Eaters.

In The Light Eaters, Zoe Schlanger presents a compelling narrative that delves into the intriguing world of plant intelligence and sentience. Through her investigative lens, she explores how plants, often perceived as passive organisms, exhibit remarkable adaptive behaviors and communication strategies. Drawing on her expertise as a National Association of Science Writers Award winner, Schlanger uncovers the complex interactions plants maintain with their environment and other species, challenging the traditional views of plant life.

The book invites readers to reconsider their perceptions of the green organisms that surround us daily. From the way plants communicate distress signals when under threat to their ability to remember past interactions with pollinators, The Light Eaters reveals a hidden world of plant behavior that is both fascinating and enlightening. Schlanger’s narrative is rich with astonishing anecdotes that illustrate the ways in which plants navigate their existence, showcasing their resilience and ingenuity in the face of challenges.

Ultimately, The Light Eaters encourages readers to ponder profound questions about consciousness and intelligence in the natural world. By shedding light on the extraordinary capabilities of plants, Schlanger opens our eyes to the vibrant life forms we often overlook, urging us to appreciate the complexity and interconnectedness of life on Earth. This book is a must-read for anyone curious about the remarkable lives of plants and their role in our ecosystem.

“A masterpiece of science writing.” Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

“Mesmerizing, world-expanding, and achingly beautiful.” Ed Yong, author of An Immense World

“Rich, vital, and full of surprises. Read it!” Elizabeth Kolbert, author of Under a White Sky and The Sixth Extinction

"overflows with the author’s infectious enthusiasm. Plant lovers will find much of interest" Nature

“To read The Light Eaters is to be astounded by the complex behaviors of these ostensibly lower life-forms. Fertilize your brain with The Light Eaters and you’ll never look at your favorite, or least favorite, plants the same.” Wall Street Journal

“Schlanger's captivating exploration renders a rich world of plants: weird fern sex, sagebrush chemical communication, scientific debates on flora intelligence, and more.” Vanity Fair

“…Schlanger reminds us of a common truth that we tend to take for granted: plants are remarkable … a surprising and tender book of science writing that urges us all to reconsider how we think about the greenery that lives both in our homes and outside of them.” TIME, The 10 Best Nonfiction Books of 2024

“… looks beyond the leaves and branches to how our verdant neighbors perceive our world, offering a plant’s eye view of life… . [The Light Eaters] shines.” Smithsonian magazine, “The Ten Best Science Books of 2024”

“The human mind will boggle at least once per page.” Boston Globe, 75 Best Books of 2024

"The vegetable kingdom is full of wonders and mysteries, as Schlanger lavishly demonstrates." Slate

“Zoë Schlanger takes us across the globe, digging into her own memories and into the soil with the scientists who have spent their waking days studying these amazing entities up close.” New York Public Library, “Best Books for Adults 2024”

“A brilliant must-read. This book shook and changed me.” David George Haskell, author of Sounds Wild and Broken, The Songs of Trees, and The Forest Unseen

ISBN: 9780008445348

Dimensions: 240mm x 159mm x 30mm

Weight: 520g

304 pages