Wildlife Novels

[galanthus]

Oooh may try the durrell ghost story.

Anyway, forgot to mention, Kes !! I know it's more a book of social observation, however, not many can think about the book without thinking about the lovely kestrel and how the boy tried to relate to wildlife ....I cried anyway

[tufftie]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Oooh may try the durrell ghost story.

Anyway, forgot to mention, Kes !! I know it's more a book of social observation, however, not many can think about the book without thinking about the lovely kestrel and how the boy tried to relate to wildlife ....I cried anyway

didn't know he'd written one - think i'll give it a go!

Kes - glad i'm not the only one that cried! That and Watership Down , Black Beauty, and the Amazing Mr Blunden and The Railway Children lol .... (Iknow they're not wildlife books..not to mention heaps of non kids stuff too!!!)

[Hobjob]

OK, sorry not British, but a brilliant book about life in the outback of South Africa in the ox-wagon days. Its recently been re-published with all the original line drawings. Jock was actually a mongrel dog of outstanding loyalty and courage -- Oh, I'm stupid, its a true story and not a novel; anyway its a good read

Fantastic amount of Bush Lore, before the invaders destroyed much of it
No sex, no swearing .......


In the same vein, novels that describe the African bush intimately, you can't beat Wilbur Smith, his first series, the 'Ballantyne' Novels [1] and the early 'Courtney' Novels.


[1] A Falcon Flies, Men of Men, The Angels Weep and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness

[Dutchess]

Books for younger readers are often an enjoyable escape if you like animal characters. I am a bit particular about such things, but I was determined to possess the complete series of the Ratha series by Clare Bell. All four books are sitting on my "to read" bookshelf (the characters are cats, 25 million years ago.) I don't think they'll disappoint.

Then there is William Horwood of course, I read the Duncton Wood books many years ago and enjoyed them immensely. I also have his The Wolves of Time series awaiting my perusal!

Slightly off the subject of wildlife per se, but worthy of a mention is a gem of a find I read last autumn. It was the title that attracted me, i.e. "The Tenderness of Wolves" by Stef Penney. Although it was not about a wolf-pack as I'd suspected it might be...it was a book that delighted me in that it drew me into the very harsh world of the Canadian outback in 1867. The visualisation of the cold, hard landscape is very strong, (as pointed out by one reviewer on Amazon) and it was reading the reviews about it that tempted me to give the book a go. It was a great book to curl up with in bed with, complete with hot toddy! It made you feel as if you needed one, the description of the wilderness was so vivid...and wolves do feature in the book to an extent and not in a detrimental way either Recommended!

D.

[petermcgain]

Although it was written as a children's book Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C O'Brien is an excellent read and makes you almost warm to rats!

[pressld2]

Another series (aimed primarily at early teens but I enjoyed them) is the Silverwing Saga by Kenneth Oppel. Once again it's non-British wildlife - Mr Oppel is Canadian - but if you like bats these books are for you. Initially a trilogy comprising Silverwing, Sunwing and Firewing, I've just done a Google search to make sure that they are available in the UK before posting here and discovered that a fourth book, Darkwing, was published last September. Might have to treat myself.

Dave P.

P.s. Just read a bit more about it and Darkwing is a prequel to the original trilogy so might be the best one to start with...

[PMG]

Many many years ago ....................when I was young I read Jack Londons Call of the Wild....... I don't remember the story exactly except it was about wolves - but I can remember the profound effect it had on me and I couldn't have been more than 9 or 10 years old. I lapped it up and resolved betwen this story and Travels with Romany on the wireless that I was going to make a big study of wildlife - and I have done - and I'm hoping for another 50 years worth to study some more...........

Pauline

[coasty]

Originally Posted by PMG

Many many years ago ....................when I was young I read Jack Londons Call of the Wild....... I don't remember the story exactly except it was about wolves - but I can remember the profound effect it had on me and I couldn't have been more than 9 or 10 years old. I lapped it up and resolved betwen this story and Travels with Romany on the wireless that I was going to make a big study of wildlife - and I have done - and I'm hoping for another 50 years worth to study some more...........

Pauline

Great book this, I had forgotten all about it,,,

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Originally Posted by Billy Wobble Dagger

I'm reading The Stream by Brian Clarke, so far so good I'll post more when I've finished it.

BWD

I finished The Stream last night. What a good read. If any one is in any doubt over how we are ruining our country side then this book should change your mind. I'll not tell you too much about it, in case any one is, or is going to read it. Basically it’s the story of a stream, hence the name and all the creatures that live, in, on or near it, over a 5 year cycle, oh yes and the development of a struggling town.

I highly recommend it.

BWD

[coasty]

Originally Posted by Billy Wobble Dagger

I finished The Stream last night. What a good read. If any one is in any doubt over how we are ruining our country side then this book should change your mind. I'll not tell you too much about it, in case any one is, or is going to read it. Basically it’s the story of a stream, hence the name and all the creatures that live, in, on or near it, over a 5 year cycle, oh yes and the development of a struggling town.

I highly recommend it.

BWD

Hi I will have to get a copy of that one,, Sounds right up my street. If you like that sort of thing may I suggest Loved River by HR Jukes... I am sure you will enjoy.

Andy