“Mad Spiders and Fishermen” by W.E. Tarnowsky

Mad Spiders and Fishermen

W.E. Tarnowsky        
FriesenPress (2025)
ISBN: 978-1038358738
Reviewed by Ada Jenkins for Reader Views (09/2026)

Have you ever wondered how to encourage teens and young adults to connect with the natural environment? In Mad Spiders and Fishermen by W.E. Tarnowsky, I entered the enchanting world of Booker, a family-oriented male spider, whose community is inadvertently thrown into chaos by a human being, Bart.

In my opinion, something that worked really well in this book was the shifting, third-person perspective. The author manages to seamlessly switch back and forth between spider and human mindsets, helping me to empathize with both protagonists. I was particularly captivated by Booker’s point of view, which grabbed my attention from the outset! As an anthropomorphic character, there are distinct parallels between his spider life and Bart’s human one. For instance, Booker’s twin boys act like typical teenagers, talking on their phones, with Blaze even “munching on mosquito chips . . .” These parallels with human behavior make this a highly relatable story.

There are also enough humorous differences, however, to engage the reader’s attention throughout. A good example is when Booker is recalling his wedding: “Among the guests were the black widow Pandora, accompanied by her nervous and soon-to-be-late husband Gaylord.” This lighthearted tone drew me in, making me laugh at times.

I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of nature through reading about Bart’s experiences at the fishing cabin, which also integrates the spiders’ subtle presence. For instance, in this skillful imagery in chapter six: “As the breeze brushed over the grass, the webs billowed like sails on a schooner.” Even though Bart was unaware of the spiders’ presence, I knew they were there and longed to see their worlds intersect, so Bart could understand the predicament their fragile community was in due to forced relocation.

The plot moves at a fast pace. There’s plenty of action, as well as tender moments of compassion and heartfelt sincerity. One moment that stuck with me was when Booker is attacked by a bird while trying to find his way home. My heart was in my throat the entire time! I could understand his confusion about “the beings” at the cabin, and his fear and hopelessness at being turfed out of his home: “This was not a life worth living. Alone. Not just alone but to have his whole life ripped apart.” I can see how this story could help young people develop empathy for the creatures around them, possibly even becoming more aware of how our occasionally thoughtless actions as humans can have a devastating impact on nature. Although Bart doesn’t mean any harm, his actions expose the spider colony to threats from predators and food shortages, showing that human action needs to be carefully considered in the context of how this will affect interdependent ecosystems.

Ultimately, Mad Spiders and Fishermen is, I feel, a heartwarming tale about forging connections and mutual understanding with the natural world. This charming novel advocates for coexistence, not domination over the creatures who share our planet, an important message, I think, for young people and adults alike.