NPR's Book of the Day 'Bog Queen' cherishes Earth’s mossy wetlands and the bodies they preserve
Nov 18, 2025
Anna North, a novelist and journalist, discusses her book Bog Queen, which delves into the fascinating world of bog bodies and moss. She shares how her initial museum visit sparked her interest in these ancient remains. The conversation explores the ethics of excavation versus respecting the dead and touches on climate change’s impact on peatlands. North also highlights the shared resilience of her characters, drawing parallels between an Iron Age druid and her protagonist, emphasizing the vital relationship between humans and the natural world.
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Museum Visit Sparked The Novel
- Anna North first saw a bog body in the British Museum and found it stunningly lifelike despite its age.
- She visited the bog where it was found and felt the landscape and biodiversity deeply influenced her book's vision.
Bogs As Active, Collective Agents
- North emphasizes non-human actors, describing bogs as colonies that shape human fate.
- She uses sphagnum moss to show organisms can drive events independent of human intention.
Forensic Care Extends Beyond Death
- Agnes, the forensic anthropologist, feels deep responsibility toward the dead and their bodies.
- Her care expands when she confronts a bog body that challenges her definitions of duty and respect.
