Tarka the otter
1 journaler for this copy...
Tarka the Otter was first published in 1927 and has never since been out of print. It won the following year's Hawthornden Prize, and is probably Henry Williamson's best known work. It influenced a number writers and authors, Ted Hughes amongst them, and led to the establishment of the Tarka Trail - a 180 mile walking and cycling trail following Tarka's journey.
The book is set in North Devon, around the River Taw and River Torridge, and follows the life of an otter called Tarka. The book opens shortly after Tarka's birth, on the Torridge. It's about the only pleasant phase of his life. Tarka's mother is well aware of the threats posed by men, and it doesn't take Tarka long to learn. The local otter hunt, for example, makes frequent and unwelcome appearances.
This book that I'm releasing is an old edition. The introduction touches on the writing of the book, and the work Willaimson put in researching the book. Thsi included spending a great deal of time with the area's otter hunt. It's suggested he even harboured a level of admiration for the hunters, though - having read the book - it's not an admiration I would share.
At the book's beginning, "Tarka the Otter" was a book I had wanted, and expected, to like. However, I can't say that I unreservedly enjoyed it. Part of this would come from the cruelty of the hunt and most of the people who feature - I have no idea how people could treat wild animals this way. (The only person who stood out - in a good way - was a young girl who refused to alert the hunters to Tarka's hiding place). The writing didn't always work for me either. Williamson waxed lyrical at every opportunity and, while this may have inspired Ted Hughes, I found myself drifting off at times and skimming over large passages.
Not the book, I'm afraid, I was hoping it would be - overall, I'd have to say I was disappointed.
The book is set in North Devon, around the River Taw and River Torridge, and follows the life of an otter called Tarka. The book opens shortly after Tarka's birth, on the Torridge. It's about the only pleasant phase of his life. Tarka's mother is well aware of the threats posed by men, and it doesn't take Tarka long to learn. The local otter hunt, for example, makes frequent and unwelcome appearances.
This book that I'm releasing is an old edition. The introduction touches on the writing of the book, and the work Willaimson put in researching the book. Thsi included spending a great deal of time with the area's otter hunt. It's suggested he even harboured a level of admiration for the hunters, though - having read the book - it's not an admiration I would share.
At the book's beginning, "Tarka the Otter" was a book I had wanted, and expected, to like. However, I can't say that I unreservedly enjoyed it. Part of this would come from the cruelty of the hunt and most of the people who feature - I have no idea how people could treat wild animals this way. (The only person who stood out - in a good way - was a young girl who refused to alert the hunters to Tarka's hiding place). The writing didn't always work for me either. Williamson waxed lyrical at every opportunity and, while this may have inspired Ted Hughes, I found myself drifting off at times and skimming over large passages.
Not the book, I'm afraid, I was hoping it would be - overall, I'd have to say I was disappointed.
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Welcome to BookCrossing!
Please make a journal entry to let me know that this book has been caught so I know that it has found a good home with you. I hope you like the book, but I'd be grateful if you'd let me know what you thought of it by making another journal entry when you've finished it.
Then, whenever you are ready to send it on its way, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey.
If you've decided to sign up, you’ll be alerted by e-mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spamless !
Some faqs : http://www.bookcrossing.com/faqs
Thanks for stopping by, have fun!
