Hidden Creatures by Dino Martins review – the revolting world of parasites

The Guardian’s review presents Dino Martins’ Hidden Creatures as a vivid, unsettling but ultimately admiring exploration of parasites, from viruses and maggots to worms. The reviewer argues that the book matters because it shows both the ingenuity of evolution and the huge human cost of parasitic disease, especially given that many illnesses in the developing world are linked to such infections. Although the subject is often gruesome, the review says Martins balances disgust with wonder, making parasites feel scientifically important rather than merely repellent.

The review highlights Martins’ mix of lyrical nature writing, scientific classification, disease-focused explanation and field anecdotes from Kenya. Among the striking details are Craig Venter’s finding that a teaspoon of seawater contains about 50 million viruses, most of them harmless to humans because they infect marine bacteria, and the disturbing description of eye worms whose larvae pass from tears into flies and then into another animal’s eyes. The reviewer notes that Martins sometimes shifts from admiration to condemnation when describing organisms that cause severe suffering to millions, but says the book also benefits from humane, engaging stories about students, farmers and fieldwork. Overall, the book is described as a multidisciplinary celebration of zoology and the strange creativity of nature.