Audio Review: Never Cry Wolf: The Amazing True Story of Life Among Arctic Wolves by Farley Mowat

More than a half-century ago the naturalist Farley Mowat was sent to investigate why wolves were killing arctic caribou. Mowat's account of the summer he lived in the frozen tundra alone—studying the wolf population and developing a deep affection for the wolves (who were of no threat to caribou or man)—is today celebrated as a classic of nature writing, at once a tale of remarkable adventures and indelible record of myths and magic of wolves.

 Paperback, 176 pages

Audiobook, 4 hours 51 minutes

 Published by Dell (first published 1963)

****

A recent road trip had hubby and I listening to what he considers a classic.  I'm not really sure if this is classified as fiction, non-fiction, whether its kid lit or what?  Written to give the impression the author went through this experience himself lends itself to non-fiction.  The beginning part came across as kid lit, it was funny, adventurous and entertaining.  However, the end part got serious and for kids could be upsetting.

All in all, I found the audio quite nice to listen to and wish that more of Farley Mowat books were available in that format.

Audiobook via Scribd and part of my 2019 reading off my shelf challenge.

My best of 2015

I surprised myself with how many books I read last year,150 to be exact. I didn't plan on that many it just happened.

Some interesting facts:

-the longest was 1059 pages with Voyager (Outlander #3) by Diana Gaboldon and the short with 34 pages was Kika the Upside Down Girl Jessica Tudos
-43 were audio books
-54 were new authors to me
-12 new series started
-12 series that I got caught up with or finished
-still plugging away at (Outlander)
-51 books reviewed for netgalley

My top 10 audio books of 2015 - in random order

1) The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams
2) Lyrebird Hill by Anna Romer
3) The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth
4) Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell
5) The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
6)  Inside the O'Briens by Lisa Genova
7) Castles, Customs and Kings by various authors
8) Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
9) Misery by Stephen King
10) Mr. Mercedes/Finders Keepers by Stephen King
notice a tread there, sadly that trend was broken when I tried Revival in audio

My top 10 (actually 13) books of 2015 - remember in random order

1) A King's Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman
2) The Lake House by Kate Morton
3)  Lost in the Barrons by Farley Mowat
4) The Ones We Trust by Kimberly Belle
5) The Particular Appeal of Gillian Pugsley by Susan Ornbratt
6) Helen of Sparta byAmalia Carosella          
7) The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth
8) Medici's Daughter by Sophie Perinot
9) Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole
10) Lady of the Eternal City by Kate Quinn
11) The Tapestry by Nancy Bilyeau
12) The Voyager by Diane Gabaldon
13) To Catch a Falling Star by Anna Belfrage

So that's my year, how was yours?

Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat

Awasin, a Cree Indian boy, and Jamie, a Canadian orphan living with his uncle, the trapper Angus Macnair, are enchanted by the magic of the great Arctic wastes. They set out on an adventure that proves longer and more dangerous than they could have imagined. Drawing on his knowledge of the ways of the wilderness and the implacable northern elements, Farley Mowat has created a memorable tale of daring and adventure. 


When first published in 1956, Lost in the Barrens won the Governor-General’s Award for Juvenile Literature, the Book-of-the-Year Medal of the Canadian Association of Children’s Librarians and the Boys’ Club of America Junior Book Award.

Hardcover, 244 pages

Published June 1st 1956 by Little Brown and Company (first published 1956) 

Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award (1958) 
hardcover - personal library
*****

When I think of great Canadian authors Farley Mowat always comes to mind.  He was well known for his books on Northern Canada and the great outdoors as well as animal stories for kids (though enjoyed by all ages).

I found the HC 1st edition at one of my favorite thrift stores which is apparently the same copy hubby had as a kid.  It is illustrated and added that extra spark to this coming of age story.

I loved this book! and could see myself reading it again and again.  It's a story of the friendship between Awasin (A Cree Indian) and Jamie (former city boy).  What starts out as a two week trip turns into so much more.  Set in the the harsh wilderness of the Artic I had no problem visualizng so much, and could feel the cold bitter winter.

The different backgrounds of these 2 lads and their wisdom (or lack thereof at times) balanced the plot.  A story of friendship not just between Jaime and Awasin but between people and the land.  This is really my first glimpse at the Cree tribe ad I enjoyed learning of their customs, superstitions and way of life. It's about survival when hope is dim and working as a team, having respect for nature and each other.

Though this is an older book, first published in 1956, its an adventure that you don't see much of these days.  I highly recommend Lost in the Barrens not just to MG and up but adults as well.  Farley Mowat has a way with words that I like, he tells it like is in a real and believable manner.   His appreciation for nature is evident in his writing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Farley McGill Mowat was a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.

Many of his most popular works have been memoirs of his childhood, his war service, and his work as a naturalist. His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books.