A review by skyereads
Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell

4.0

Three years ago when I first visited Scotland I watched the wonderful (if more fictional) adaptation of this book. So of course I couldn't resist picking up a beautiful 1961 copy when I saw it in Oxfam books, Stirling. The illustrations and photos are priceless - do not get a copy without them! I have to preface the fact that I love this book (and the film) to bits by stating that it has not aged well in terms of ethics towards animals. I do not excuse it for this, Maxwell was writing in the 1950s not the 1850s and should have known better. It is still an incredible insight into the behavior of otters and life in a remote West Highland cottage. Very easy and pleasurable to read.

(p.s. It rewards reading in the bath)