Never Tell a Secret

by Joyce Stranger

Never Tell a Secret Stranger, Joyce

Genres: Animals, Cats

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Psuedonym of Joyce Muriel Wilson (1921–2007). Lived in Anglesey, Wales.
Trained as a biologist, specialising in animal behaviour, and tried her hand at dog training too. Not surprisingly, animal themes, especially relationships between human and animal feature in all of her books. She thought that the human-animal/human-nature relationship was extremely important and that a co-existence between the two could improve quality of life. She said "for many people an animal can provide a harmony lacking in day-to-day relationships with people."
Her books are not very anthropomorphic, deliberately so. She thought that many animal books, especially childrens were inaccurate or sentimental or humanised the animal and wanted her stories instead to "show how animals live in a world that is real to them"
They are definitely not sentimental either, many are quite downbeat. Disasters often strike her fictional worlds and her characters are often unhappy, guilt-stricken or remorseful. However they usually end on a more upbeat and optimistic note.
Ms. Stranger was one of the few authors to write horse stories aimed at adults. Most of her pony books are either adult or teenage stories.

Reviews

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a few fairly short books I keep in various places like the smallest room to read as and when. Joyce Stranger is a long time favourite of mine and her many books would appeal to animal lovers. This book is short (141 pages) It is about violence that arrives in the country from the town. Vandals on motor bikes steal and kill many farm animals. The story centres round a twelve year old young girl and two little orphans - a kitten and a fox cub. It can be read by animal lovers of all ages.

[Pauline Mary Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written book, like most of Joyce Strangers' books I read most of them in my late teens, early twenties, I'm now in my fifties! Some stories stay with you.

[Sandy Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like all of Joyce Stranger's books. They include narrative from the animals' perspective, too, which is very interesting to me. This book has a good mystery and human characters along with some cats, a fox, and other animal characters. Unfortunately, Stranger's books are usually not in the public libraries. I happened across some at a used book sale and then ordered many titles from used book sales online.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes incredibly depressing, but as ever Joyce Stranger's books make for good reading.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really glad they got their come uppance!!