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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I don't normally enjoy anthropomorphism or mysticism in my reading, so I was surprised at how much I liked this. The descriptions of the wildlife and seasons on Dartmoor are beautiful but it's all undercut by a strong theme of PTSD and the damage done to a generation of British men by two successive wars, with a sprinkling of class antagonism as well. And it's very even handed - despite the obvious awfulness of Scoble, you also have to admit that he has a very close relationship with and deep understanding of his environment; "Church is just another house. There's more of God in my garden than you'll find in Buckfast Abbey or Exeter Cathedral." The final chapters, in the famous winter of 1947, are riveting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, War
This story reminded me of my favourite book from childhood, The Animals of Farthing Wood. It follows Wulfgar, a black fox running wild through Dartmoor, as he struggles to evade his nemesis, Scoble the trapper, and his lurcher, Jacko.
Similar to The Animals of Farthing Wood, the animals in this tale suffer as a result of their interactions with humans. However, this is more nuanced than a simple tale of good and evil, with Scoble the trapper coming across as a pitiable character, haunted by ghosts from the war and consumed by his hatred for foxes. His lurcher, Jacko (whose narrative is one of the most captivating), is evidently brain damaged and kills wildly in unhinged frenzies, desperate to appease the stars.
Meanwhile the foxes are portrayed as not merely physical animals but also spiritual beings grappling with "human" issues such as love, grief, life, death and meaning on their journey to the Star Place, giving the book a strange, almost mystical feeling.
The descriptions of the moors and woodlands are beautifully interwoven with the spiritual musings of the foxes, bringing the countryside to life and conveying a landscape of real character. It's hard to read this book without developing the wanderlust of the foxes and wanting to be outside somewhere.
Similar to The Animals of Farthing Wood, the animals in this tale suffer as a result of their interactions with humans. However, this is more nuanced than a simple tale of good and evil, with Scoble the trapper coming across as a pitiable character, haunted by ghosts from the war and consumed by his hatred for foxes. His lurcher, Jacko (whose narrative is one of the most captivating), is evidently brain damaged and kills wildly in unhinged frenzies, desperate to appease the stars.
Meanwhile the foxes are portrayed as not merely physical animals but also spiritual beings grappling with "human" issues such as love, grief, life, death and meaning on their journey to the Star Place, giving the book a strange, almost mystical feeling.
The descriptions of the moors and woodlands are beautifully interwoven with the spiritual musings of the foxes, bringing the countryside to life and conveying a landscape of real character. It's hard to read this book without developing the wanderlust of the foxes and wanting to be outside somewhere.
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love books written from an animal perspective, but they have to be reasonably realistic for me to enjoy them. I have read plenty of good examples over time and also some really bad ones. This one falls firmly in the first category.
'There were few things lovelier than the snowy hills set in the soft glow of the universe'
The writing is excellent, exquisite in places, and I soon felt myself pulled into the story of Wulfgar, the black fox of Dartmoor. We read much of the story from his perspective, but we do change perspective every now and then to other foxes and a few humans. The main human character is a cruel trapper called Leonard Scoble, who is haunted by his experiences as a soldier.
I loved how the author managed to give himself a small role to play in this novel. It warmed my heart.
The book does not shy away to show the cruel side of nature, and the hunting nature of the fox. It also deals with humans hunting foxes and other animals in a variety of ways. It does not antropomorphise too much, which is a pet peeve of mine in books in this genre. It sometimes meanders a tad too much, which stops it short of being a perfect read, but overall this was such a wonderful reading experience that I can safely say that I will cherish this book forever. I can definitely see myself reading it again in the future.
My edition also has lovely little illustrations that add to the charm of the story.
If you like Watership Down, I am absolutely positive you will love this just as much, if not more.
A new favourite.
'There were few things lovelier than the snowy hills set in the soft glow of the universe'
The writing is excellent, exquisite in places, and I soon felt myself pulled into the story of Wulfgar, the black fox of Dartmoor. We read much of the story from his perspective, but we do change perspective every now and then to other foxes and a few humans. The main human character is a cruel trapper called Leonard Scoble, who is haunted by his experiences as a soldier.
I loved how the author managed to give himself a small role to play in this novel. It warmed my heart.
The book does not shy away to show the cruel side of nature, and the hunting nature of the fox. It also deals with humans hunting foxes and other animals in a variety of ways. It does not antropomorphise too much, which is a pet peeve of mine in books in this genre. It sometimes meanders a tad too much, which stops it short of being a perfect read, but overall this was such a wonderful reading experience that I can safely say that I will cherish this book forever. I can definitely see myself reading it again in the future.
My edition also has lovely little illustrations that add to the charm of the story.
If you like Watership Down, I am absolutely positive you will love this just as much, if not more.
A new favourite.
I was incredibly lucky enough to win a copy of this new edition on Goodreads, although I didn’t realise just how lucky at the time. It’s quite a step away from my preferred genre of fantasy which is why I fatally neglected the book for a few months. When I started reading again, I wanted something refreshing and unlike what I’d become used to; I wanted books which were out of my comfort zone. As I received a proof copy, the cover is slightly different to the hardback which was released- it’s absolutely stunning and the metallic embossing is really beautiful (my paperback is missing the metallic print); a reflection of what’s waiting inside in the cover.
There is something really simple and natural about the story; it’s naive and honest. Yet that’s what completely and totally captured my interest. Told from various narrators, the story tells of a dark-furred fox just trying to survive. He’s faced with the perils of being unable to find enough food, harsh winters, and the deviant trapper. We see the story develop through the eyes of Wulfgar (the fox), Scoble (the trapper), and a couple of other minor characters; including one young boy, who happens to be Carter himself.
Although it’s a story about nature, the story also deals with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Scoble is a veteran of war and has returned with some strange ideals. During one horrible night on the battlefield, he witnesses his deceased comrades being eaten by foxes. He returns home with a deep hatred for foxes, strong in the belief that they’re more intelligent than others realise and have an ultimate goal to rid the world of the human race. This drives him in his mission to kill the foxes he finds; by any trap necessary.
As Scoble resorts to more unscrupulous methods, the foxes join forces with other animals to defeat his plans. Although some of the events are quite blunt and to the point in a way that can shock, it adds to the lasting impact that the book has had. A book I’d recommend to anyone.
There is something really simple and natural about the story; it’s naive and honest. Yet that’s what completely and totally captured my interest. Told from various narrators, the story tells of a dark-furred fox just trying to survive. He’s faced with the perils of being unable to find enough food, harsh winters, and the deviant trapper. We see the story develop through the eyes of Wulfgar (the fox), Scoble (the trapper), and a couple of other minor characters; including one young boy, who happens to be Carter himself.
Although it’s a story about nature, the story also deals with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Scoble is a veteran of war and has returned with some strange ideals. During one horrible night on the battlefield, he witnesses his deceased comrades being eaten by foxes. He returns home with a deep hatred for foxes, strong in the belief that they’re more intelligent than others realise and have an ultimate goal to rid the world of the human race. This drives him in his mission to kill the foxes he finds; by any trap necessary.
As Scoble resorts to more unscrupulous methods, the foxes join forces with other animals to defeat his plans. Although some of the events are quite blunt and to the point in a way that can shock, it adds to the lasting impact that the book has had. A book I’d recommend to anyone.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wulfgar, the dark-furred fox roamed far and wide over the wilds of Dartmoor. He spoke with other foxes, conversed with otters by the rivers and exchanged greetings with the badgers at dusk. He was happy with his lot, had managed to escape the relentless pursuit of the hunt, and had now found the love of his life, Teg. But life was not going to be easy for the pair. The man trying to catch him was Scoble, an ex-veteran from the war with a drink problem. His streak of cruelness and with the assistance of his dog, Jacko, they had it in for the foxes in particular, as well as wildlife in general with their traps, gins and snares.
The talking animals makes this feel like a children's book, but the scenes within are not. The is as much about death as it is about living life and is as full of the tangled emotions that go to make this up. Carter's lyrical writing has an intensity to it, you feel the wind ruffle the fur, understand the smells of the night as they track their prey and share the euphoria of being alive racing across the Tors. The writing is firmly grounded in the granite bedrock of Dartmoor and he brings the natural world alive to the reader. This re-published edition has a stunning cover, with a beautiful introduction by Melissa Harrison on how it inspired her to become a writer. 3.5 stars
The talking animals makes this feel like a children's book, but the scenes within are not. The is as much about death as it is about living life and is as full of the tangled emotions that go to make this up. Carter's lyrical writing has an intensity to it, you feel the wind ruffle the fur, understand the smells of the night as they track their prey and share the euphoria of being alive racing across the Tors. The writing is firmly grounded in the granite bedrock of Dartmoor and he brings the natural world alive to the reader. This re-published edition has a stunning cover, with a beautiful introduction by Melissa Harrison on how it inspired her to become a writer. 3.5 stars
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes