A review by viachu888
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

5.0

I read this book in elementary school and some conversations with my friends about required school reading made me want to read it again. This is maybe the first book I have read through in like three or four years (being a STEM major is so fun haha) and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time.

I didn't intend on looking for literary devices in this book but I enjoyed some of the foreshadowing and symbolism Rawls used, especially already knowing the plot pretty well. I also thought the

Spoiler

fight with the mountain lion happened during the coon hunt competition, so I read that section fully prepared for the worst. When they won, made it out of the blizzard, and took home their spoils I was like, did I mis-remember this? Do the dogs live? I was mistaken. :'(. It seemed like an interesting choice to save the tragedy for the last 20 pages after a happy ending, but hey. It still totally got me.

I love this book. I love the imagery, I love the bond and juxtaposition between Little Ann and Old Dan, I love how much Billy loves the dogs. I don't even like hunting and I love reading about the hunts. This book is charming and pulls at my heart in a way that reminds me I am human. 5/5 stars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!