The Yearling By Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Ratings:

Age Group: 12+ Availability: 10/10 Cleanliness: 9/10 Overall: ****

Review:

The Yearling is the story of one boy and an orphaned fawn. Jody, the boy, adopts Flag, the fawn, who becomes an important part of Jody’s life. Set in the scrub forests of 19^th century Florida, the story charts one year that makes a young boy grow up. Through many episodes and events, caring for the fawn helps Jody to grow and change from boy to man.  This is a gripping but sad story. I won’t spoil it by telling how it ends, but let’s just say that it doesn’t have an entirely happy ending.  However, it is certainly worth reading, despite the sad finish.  Full of vivid descriptions, interesting characters and dramatic events, The Yearling is a book full of meaning and repays multiple readings.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings won a Pulitzer Prize in 1939 for The Yearling, which was the bestselling American book of 1938. In 1946 it was made into a film starring Gregory Peck and Jane Wyman and in 1965 it became a Broadway musical. The Yearling is considered to be an American classic and is often chosen for study in schools.

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Aladdin Classics, 2001 (first published 1938)

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower By C.S. Forester

Ratings:

Age Group: 12+ Availability: 7/10 Cleanliness: 9/10 Overall: ****

Review:

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower is the first of C.S. Forester’s series of books starring the young naval officer and charts his career from his first step on a ship’s deck to his commission as a lieutenant. The story is an exciting and action-packed one and covers a very interesting part of naval history. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower himself is a strong character who does his duty conscientiously and tries to do his best, although things do not always go well for him. Through many incidents, battles and problems Hornblower shows that he is a model young man and is rightly promoted. Although Hornblower is naturally involved in many battles and violent situations, the author handles the gory details well, but be aware that characters are maimed, wounded, guillotined and in other ways disposed of throughout the book. It is a classic read for boys.    

A rousing good story, this book is also an example for young gentlemen. Hornblower is an inspiration for all young people. Doing the right thing, being honest, truthful and trustworthy gets Mr. Hornblower respect and promotion. He acts honourably in all things. Even Sir Winston Churchill says, “I find Hornblower admirable [and] vastly entertaining.”

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, C.S. Forester, Penguin Books, first published 1950.