The book "A Book of Noises" by Caspar Henderson, published on August 22, 2023, in English, has just been released in French on October 4th by Les Belles Lettres.
This 384-page book is a true auditory exploration, offering both a scientific and poetic overview of the world of sound, from the first noises of the Big Bang to the deep silence of space, through the sounds of nature and human life.
In this work, Henderson invites us to listen to the world in a new way. He explores diverse phenomena such as bats’ echolocation, the crackling of an aurora borealis, and the long resonance of Japanese bells. With scientific curiosity and a capacity for synthesizing knowledge across disciplines (biology, music, physics), Henderson reignites readers' fascination with the sounds around us.
Each chapter can be seen as an homage to hidden sonic beauty, whether through the complexity of natural phenomena, the nuances of noise pollution, or even silence. Henderson prompts us to reflect on the impact of sounds on our daily lives and how we can better understand them through science and art.
Ultimately, "A Book of Noises" is an ode to mindful listening and the discovery of the audible wonders surrounding us. Henderson encourages us to pay attention not only to familiar sounds but also to those that remain unexplored.
And you, what natural sound fascinates you the most?
