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snowcrow74's review against another edition
4.0
“She suddenly reverted to her feral state, a longing came to my mind that I should be able to do this myself”
In this man vs beast story we are allowed into an intimate attempt of one man to understand and tame himself through the training of a goshawk. T.H. Whites writing style is eloquent, and does a great job of describing what most people would see as some sort of alien task. The ins and outs of falconry are fascinating, but what’s truly fascinating is the ability to see ourselves in the hawk as well as T.H. White. As longing for freedom, a longing for understanding, but no real means to do so.
This book isn’t for everyone, I personally have a love of falconry and wildlife and I am also an avid fan of T.H. White. It can be a slog, though it is a small book, but in the end it’s worth a read.
In this man vs beast story we are allowed into an intimate attempt of one man to understand and tame himself through the training of a goshawk. T.H. Whites writing style is eloquent, and does a great job of describing what most people would see as some sort of alien task. The ins and outs of falconry are fascinating, but what’s truly fascinating is the ability to see ourselves in the hawk as well as T.H. White. As longing for freedom, a longing for understanding, but no real means to do so.
This book isn’t for everyone, I personally have a love of falconry and wildlife and I am also an avid fan of T.H. White. It can be a slog, though it is a small book, but in the end it’s worth a read.
jennypollyscott's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
chalicotherex's review against another edition
5.0
A misanthropic school teacher quits his job so he can go live in a cabin and train a goshawk, the most unruly of the birds of prey.
christinecc's review against another edition
5.0
Now, I am giving this book five stars because it is no more and no less than what it claims to be--or ,indeed, what it should be. It is an odd tale, strange in its details grounded in reality and the art of falconry, and yet familiar with its elevating descriptions of an art and a creature that we cannot fully understand (especially as amateurs).
I particularly enjoyed White's insights and musings regarding Shakespeare and falconry, as would any Bard enthusiast who had no prior knowledge of falconry terms (at least, not in English). The post-script is rather fascinating and makes up a bit for a slower, more melancholy second half. But as I said, the book is what it is, and there is no embellishing such a story. I am glad someone frogmarched White into publishing this, even if a lot of it went over my head. Perhaps it would be worth finding some matching visuals to gain a fuller picture of the author's efforts and aspirations with the eccentric and princely Gos.
Recommended to T.H. White readers (since he brings to this book that same touch of gentle, tired humanity) or anyone with an interest in falconry or the art of taming wild animals. There's a debate in this somewhere (and an expert falconer might tear his hair out reading this, so best keep away if you're easily frustrated by someone mucking things up).
I particularly enjoyed White's insights and musings regarding Shakespeare and falconry, as would any Bard enthusiast who had no prior knowledge of falconry terms (at least, not in English). The post-script is rather fascinating and makes up a bit for a slower, more melancholy second half. But as I said, the book is what it is, and there is no embellishing such a story. I am glad someone frogmarched White into publishing this, even if a lot of it went over my head. Perhaps it would be worth finding some matching visuals to gain a fuller picture of the author's efforts and aspirations with the eccentric and princely Gos.
Recommended to T.H. White readers (since he brings to this book that same touch of gentle, tired humanity) or anyone with an interest in falconry or the art of taming wild animals. There's a debate in this somewhere (and an expert falconer might tear his hair out reading this, so best keep away if you're easily frustrated by someone mucking things up).
roba's review against another edition
4.0
Wasn't expecting the hawk to turn out to be a glove puppet.
brynhammond's review against another edition
4.0
A little psychodrama between person and bird, fascism and war in the background (he thinks the human world is going to end -- a casual, sombre certainty). The tale of a failure, told with sadness and humour. I recognise White's self-investment and self-inspection in a story from The Once and Future King.
So much more humane and humble than H is for Hawk, which chides him for errors which he was first to confess.
So much more humane and humble than H is for Hawk, which chides him for errors which he was first to confess.
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