The Trouble With Panthers

by William Culyer Hall

The trouble with panthers is they can t change. With the whole world changin round it, old panther got no choice but to go on bein a panther. It can t reason like you and me -- can t decide to earn its livin a little differently. Central Florida, November 2004. Upon hearing this admonition from his dying grandfather, young cowman, Bodie Rawlerson, doesn t hesitate to promise the old man that he won t be like the panther. Though he hates change, fears it more than anything else, he vows to do whatever necessary to carry on the family legacy of raising cattle on the land he so dearly loves. But unbeknownst to Bodie, forces are already in motion to render his promise impossible to keep. Within days of his grandfather s passing, these forces of human (and inhuman) nature will convince him that nothing lasts forever, that change is life s only certainty -- that time and chance do indeed rule us all. This is one of those rare novels that both entertain and inform. It takes the reader on a journey through Florida cattle country in times gone by, and is a pleasure to read. The characters are real, the actions are real, and the scenes are real. Highly recommended!
Patrick D. Smith
Author of A Land Remembered

258 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2010

Reviews

[Carole Beaubien · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad…

Change is inevitable, & there aren’t many places that still give that “old Florida” feel. Habitat is stolen from the wildlife, yet new Floridians complain when armadillos & wild boars dig up their property. Now we’ve just got to keep our state parks from becoming golf courses. There are too many golf courses.

[Violet Irminger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at rural Florida

The Trouble With Panthers is beautifully written novel that gives the reader a glimpse into a dying culture: the Florida rancher.
Like the historical novel ‘A Land Remembered’, I couldn’t put this book down.

[eric r. wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Well written and poignant. Gives a clear picture of what's happening in Florida and describes the beginning and aftermath of development in a very real way. Great character development and good story structure.

[R B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A entertaining piece of fiction encompassing a disappearing Florida which ain’t fiction.

[SL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Enjoyed the characters. Brought a tear to my eye a few times because of the relationship between the grandfather and grandson.