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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
This is a beautifully written book. It shows the close relationship between the author and her goshawk that develops as she trains her. It all takes place in the context of her father's death and the downward spiral of her life as she loses her job and her house. It's disturbing to see her life fall apart and her insecurities in her role as trainer. The book closely parallels the 1951 book by T H White "The Goshawk" and his experiences in training his goshawk. It was a beautiful but disturbing book.
Quite an incredible book. I was at times perplexed by the author’s obsession with her hawk and I struggled to understand the allure of her lifestyle, but I suppose that’s one of the things I love about reading— the glimpse into the minds and lives of those unfamiliar to me.
Beautifully written, there are poetic turns of phrase on nearly every page. More than a memoir, and different than much nature writing, there is substantive history presented here. Most moving, though, is Macdonald's attention to natural detail, and the laying bare of her grief following her father's death. Her vulnerability is stirring.
We are the beneficiaries of Macdonald's range of talents. This may prove to be a hallmark of 21st century memoirs, because it weaves together centuries and disciplines.
We are the beneficiaries of Macdonald's range of talents. This may prove to be a hallmark of 21st century memoirs, because it weaves together centuries and disciplines.
I really enjoyed this book though it took me forever to read. The quality of the writing is beautiful and full of feeling. Learning about Hawks was interesting and not at all dull as I had expected. I would call this book a diamond in the rough.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Moving tale of transition. Extremely well written, raw and very personal, an exploration in parallel times and understandings.
There are sections of H is for Hawk that are gorgeously written, deeply heartfelt, brilliantly insightful, and filled with a reverence for life. On the other hand, there are sections that follow the story of T.H. White, which is a sad and cruel tale. I didn't enjoy the T.H. White sections. I understand why she included them, but I didn't like them.
Also, by two-thirds of the way through the book the detailed observations about the landscape, the goshawk, and her inner turmoil became repetitive and onerous.
The writing in this book is excellent. The story of how to train a goshawk is fascinating. Her journey of grief over her father's death is described with genuine feeling.
Also, by two-thirds of the way through the book the detailed observations about the landscape, the goshawk, and her inner turmoil became repetitive and onerous.
The writing in this book is excellent. The story of how to train a goshawk is fascinating. Her journey of grief over her father's death is described with genuine feeling.
Now I know more about falconry - quite interesting, I did have mixed feelings about the author's approach of weaving her own story with another falcon-training book that fascinated her as a child. I found myself skipping sections about the other guy to get back to her relationship with Mabel.
I didn't know what to expect from this book, despite having read the summary and several glowing reviews. It seemed to have an odd premise, added to that I'm not a huge fan of reading non fiction, nor do I have an interest in birds of prey. Nonetheless, I was intrigued and grabbed a copy, and I'm glad I did. The story itself is not so much about hawks, as it is about Macdonald dealing with grief and finding a reason to get up in the morning. This was, for me, not unputdownable, however, I immediately warmed to the author's voice and the language is beautifully descriptive, almost poetic at times, a love letter to her father, to her hawk, to nature. I won't go so far as to say this book has me turning into a fan of falconry, but it does rouse an interest in exploring Macdonald's other writing, purely for her style and memorable voice. A worthwhile read.
Just as an aside - weirdly, I just opened my email to see a Groupon for Falconry School?!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Just as an aside - weirdly, I just opened my email to see a Groupon for Falconry School?!
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com