The Runaways

Smiler #1

by Frederick Peers, Frederick Peers

ඇදහැළුණු ධාරානිපාත වර්ෂාවත් සමඟ තැන් දෙකක අකුණු දෙකක් පිපිරී ගියේය. ඒ සමඟම සිරකරුවෝ දෙදෙනෙක් බේරී ගත්හ. පුනරුත්ථාපන පාසකලට පොලිස් රථයකින් ගෙන යමින් සිටි සැමුවෙල් මයිල්ස් එක් අයකු වූ අතර ලෝන්ග් ලීට් වනෝද්‍යානයෙන් පිටතට පැනගත්තේ යාරා නමැති චීටා ධේනුවයි. බොරු චේදනාවකට හසුව පොලිස් අත් අඩංගුවේ සිටි සැමුවෙල්ගේත් යාරාගේත් වීර චාරිකා එකට ඇරඹිණි. එහෙත එකිනෙකා අතර පරතරයක් තබා ගනිමින් එකිනෙකාට සමාන්තරව පලා ගිය මිනිස් දරුවාගේත් තිරිසනාගේත් ඉරණම් කෙසේ විසඳේවිද?

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Animals, Childrens, Cats

Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

Reviews

[Luan On · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blind read, I wasn't expecting the heavy emotional impact this book had on me. If ever there was a testament to the aching transportational power of words, this would be it: a grown man in 2016 sobbing over a book published almost fifty years ago.
At its core The Runaways is a dual tale of survival - Samuel Miles (Smiler) and Yarra, a cheetah. Both are escapees: Samuel en route to a reform school and Yarra from a reserve, and the book takes you on an epic journey detailing their struggles to outwit the authorities / find food and shelter.
What struck me immediately from the first chapter is the immense appreciation Victor Canning has for the landscape and its inhabitants: with vivid descriptions of torrential rain and gritty documentary-like depictions of the cheetah stalking its prey, and the subsequent rippling effect on the ecosystem.
Both Smiler and Yarra are allotted equal amounts in the book, though I found Yarra's storyline more compelling. Smiler is a familiar Jean Valjean type figure: unjustly accused outlaw on the run, where Yarra's adventures take her through the wilderness of a rich 70s English landscape - fish, birds, hares, deers along the way.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4 ⭐️

What a wonderful read; not just for the Young Adult audience, but perfect for ancient adults like me too!

A beautiful story about two runaways: 15-year-old Samuel Miles (also known as Smiler), who has absconded from a miserable life in a reform school, and Yarra, a cheetah who has escaped from Longleat Wildlife Park.

Originally published in 1972, The Runaways is a story of survival, friendship and belonging. It features some wonderful characters, who all add their own charm to this delightful tale.

Told from the perspectives of Samuel and Yarra. I particularly enjoyed Yarra’s narrative; I was rooting for her as she adapted to living her new life in the wild. It certainly doesn’t sugar-coat how an animal has to kill to survive.

Canning was obviously extremely passionate and knowledgeable about wildlife and nature; I could clearly visualise the landscape and the vast array of flora and fauna from his detailed prose.

Overall, a lovely, old-fashioned uplifting story, heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Perfect for any adult, be they young or old.

The Runaways is the first book in the ‘Smiler’ trilogy, I’m already looking forward to catching up with Samuel on his next adventure.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

[Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most memorable reads from my youth, and it was a gift for the baby shower of our new son. I look forward to watching him read it in a few years time.

Upon revisiting this title some 25 years later (!) I was rather impressed by my vocabulary at that time. I had not realized that the story was set in real towns and villages, and it was fun to open up google maps while I was reading and see how the locations related to each other geographically.

In sum, a quick fun read for an adventurous young boy.

[Freyja Vanadis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in either late 6th grade or early 7th grade, I can't remember which. I loved it back then but I haven't read it for almost 40 years so there was a lot about the book I can't remember. But even now, I think it's a good book. There are a few things Mr. Canning got wrong about cheetahs - for instance, they most definitely are not social animals. The only big cats who are social are lions. But even with the few mistakes he made, I still enjoyed this book very much.

[mairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for giving me the 2021 edition eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Runaways tells the story of two lonely creatures who escape from captivity: Smiler, wrongly convicted of stealing, and Yarra, a cheetah who has escaped the Longleat Wild Life Park.

As well as a story of survival, The Runaways is a story of friendship and belonging. Canning ties the lives of the two escapees together masterfully, as they both fight for survival on the Salisbury Plain.

My favourite thing about this book was the descriptions of nature and animals. It is so beautifully written and it has a depth and maturity to it that I haven’t read in children’s literature before. Smiler and Yarra’s characters were also very well-developed and unique. I especially enjoyed reading from Yarra’s perspective.

Although I do think it was a little slow at times, I’m glad a new edition is being published as it is a heartwarming story which can be enjoyed by all ages.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book very fondly. Good story. Great book to reread again.

[Bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well considering this book was originally written in 1972 I still found it very relevant and thoroughly enjoyed it. There are obviously a lot of differences between the time it is written and now, especially monetary values, the lives people lived and how they acted. It was a time when doors were left unlocked and safety was assumed In the countryside. People knew each other well and children had a lot more freedom. It was a pleasure to look back at those times and read what it had been like for people then.

I absolutely loved that the story was told from different POVs and that one of them belonged to Yarra the Cheetah. It was so interesting to see the world from the perspective of a wild animal. The vivid description and colour brought to the natural world was beautiful to read. Victor had such a penmanship when it came to writing about nature, he obviously took pleasure in his surroundings and describing the countryside, it was so detailed I felt I was there alongside Yarra, seeing and smelling everything with her.

The whole story was surprisingly emotional for a children's book, I felt happy and sad in equal measure, there were points where I was truly upset for the characters. I won't give you any information as to why as I don't want to give away any spoilers! You will just have to read it to find out what happens!!

[Harini Gopalswami Srinivasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Except for too many animals dying, though that's the natural order of things. The characters and setting are brilliant and the story gripping. Things don't get resolved till the end of the trilogy, though!

[Allie Byott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Miles aka Smiler is on the run from the police. He has been found guilty of a crime he did not commit and sent to a reform school which he escaped from. Whilst hiding out he comes across a cheetah named Yarra who has escaped from Longlet. He thinks that he must help Yarra and not turn her in when they share their hiding places. Smiler soon gets a job working with animals and is happy. He still has a long wait for his fathers return but they in the meantime things go wrong and he had to make a run for it. Will he manage to evade the police until his father returns.
I liked this book and recommend it. It was easy reading and I am looking forward to readying the next books in the series. Thank you to netgalley and the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Karlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stole this book from school when I started Secondary, hoping it would help me runaway from from own childhood unhappiness. I loved it. I managed to buy the very same hardback Heinemann Educational classics edition from a charity shop some 30 years later and was delighted to revisit it. It is a classic 70’s children’s story of a boy who runs away from an approved school at the same time a cheetah escapes from Longleat wildlife park. They both end up on Salisbury Plain.

Canning delivers a great story which is both sentimental and well observed with believable and likeable characters if a little dated. There is a great sense of place and a delicate touch of nature.

Highly recommended for YA and nostalgic adults like me alike. Reminded me - on my adult reread- of Russell Hoban’s brilliant Turtle Diary.

[Robin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Swallows And Amazons, Greyfriars Bobby, Tarka The Otter, and others, Victor Canning's novel can be read again and again, at any age. This, my fourth reading brought as much enchantment and pleasure as before.
Victor Canning's love of the countryside permeates every page, and his characters - Samuel M. (I won't call him Smiler because he hated it!), Joe, Mrs Lakey and her sister Miss Milly - are unforgettable.
You will shed many tears as the story progresses. A perfect book for anyone and everyone.

[Anjali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading and re-reading this book every few years and loved it each time, including now when I'm in my 50s. I clearly still have the mind of a young adult- that's the genre. The british countryside setting, the detailed descriptions of the plains, the empathy with the cheetah and the charm of all the characters.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely dual narrative which combines growing up in rural England and a quaint fugitive tale, would together with some coming of age sentiments. The characters are warm and friendly and the descriptions lunch and vivid. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Bobby King · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having this book read out to the class by my year 6 teacher and never having it finished I’ve always wanted to find out the ending. So nearly 20 years later I finally finished the first book in this trilogy and I wasn’t disappointed. Really good book in my opinion and a really easy read.

[Catriona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many times when I was younger and now enjoyed sharing the story with my son.

[Joan Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

read and enjoyed quite a few Canning's books in the 80's.

[Mike Pogmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this as a child. Runaway adventure, OS maps, self sufficiently.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. Great storytelling. Supposed to be a kids book but I'm 60 and I loved it!

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a very well written book and one that I really enjoyed reading ! This book was originally written in 1972 , this is the 2021 edition of it.



In this book Smiler (the boy in the story) is convicted of stealing and a cheetah named Yarra is leaving the wildlife park to have her cubs in private (pause to think of cute cheetah cubs!) Both of them are in danger in the outside world but are also a danger to each other. Their lives end up being bound up as they both fight for survival on the edge of Salisbury Plain.

This book is absolutely beautifully written , and gripping , it certainly pulls you in and keeps your attention. There is a fair few animal deaths but it has to include them to add to the realism of the book. One thing that comes through quite strongly in the story is the authors absolute love of the countryside you can feel it as you read his descriptions , you can sense just how much he loved it
All the characters featured in the story were fascinating to read and each added something too the story and added more depth to the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book , I would advise anyone else who wants to read this book to have some tissues ready as it is a book you can make you shed a tear!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book follows a fifteen year old boy who was wrongly convicted of a crime and who has run away from an approved/reform school (in the 1950s-70s UK, these were strict boot camp style boarding schools used to incarcerate young offenders. The UK does not generally lock up young offenders any more). At the same time a cheetah escapes from Longleat safari park. The two meet, and we have a classic boy-convicted-of-a-crime-he-did-not-commit-meets-hunted-animal-friend-and-finds-redemption-through-mutual-friendship story.

The writing is a product of its age, less immediate than books would be now, but extremely well written all the same, with evocative descriptions of an area of the country that the writer clearly knew well.

The story has a number of coincidences that allow it to lead to a heart warming if slightly implausible conclusion. Still, it was written for children, and so can be forgiven the lack of gritty realism in favour of a good ending. Not everything is happy and bright though, and there is some poignancy too.

This is the first book of a trilogy. Although my TBR is too long for me to immediately add the other books to it, I can imagine I would try the other books too one day.

[Chelsea Newell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it’s a children’s classic I still found this book really enjoyable. The writing is simplistic yet riveting and the crossing of paths between Yarra and Samuel is mesmerising to witness. I found myself routing for Samuel from the very beginning and was enthralled whenever his life intersected with Yarra’s. It’s a story of hope, perseverance and friendship and I wish I had read something like this a child.

[Richard Boaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Well written thoroughly gripping story. One of those books you have trouble putting down once you’ve started reading it. Looking forward to the sequel.

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars roughly.

I read this originally at school a long time ago, then wondered if I'd imagined it as I couldn't find it anywhere. A lot of Victor Canning's works have been republished on kindle so I eventually tracked it down. In all honesty it's not as good as I remembered as a child. I'm sure that's not entirely the books fault - tastes do mature and change. It is still a good read and pretty good adventure story.

The parallels between Smiler, wrongly detained at a correctional school and now escaped, and Yarra, a pregnant cheetah escaped from Longleat safari park, are well woven together. The still of the time was to have quite a distant, descriptive narrative voice which I find doesn't really do much for me anymore - I like to experience a story not be 'told' it. In that respect I think this is somewhat dated.

However it still has a lot going for it. Canning's prose is precise and replete with evocative description. The story is sound and tightly woven with a satisfying, though not unmitigatedly happy, ending. A lot of its charm for me, however, was the fact that Canning sets the story in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire - three counties that I know extremely well as I grew up in the area. I knew exactly where Canning was describing when he talked of an area so my rating should be considered under the light of personal nostalgia as well!

This is still a great story for children 10 years and up, and of course anyone who grew up in that area. It's the first book of a trilogy but stands well on it's own. I did pick up the sequels but I'm not in a tearing hurry to read them just yet. I'll no doubt pick them up in the future. Not bad for an older book.

[Paolo Pietropaolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this as a child and have retained exceptionally fond memories of the whole trilogy. Except that for years I couldn't remember the name of the author, nor the titles of the books. I tried so many different Internet searches to track this down based on my memory of the plot. Finally, I was able to track down the info I needed and procure used copies via the Internet.

Rereading this now - I am agog at the quality of the writing, particularly the descriptions of the natural environment, the level of detail in those descriptions - yes - but also their fluid readability.

This book is exceptional. The writing is sensational.

I feel elated to have reconnected to this find childhood memory, and also am filled with wonder by details that I am sure I missed or didn't fully understand as a child.

[Danny Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read for me because the places mentioned in the book - including Warminster, Longleat, Crockerton, Longbridge Deverill, Heytesbury, Imber, to name but a few - are all in close proximity to where I live.

I can't recall the exact year but it may have been 1979 or 1980 or thereabouts, the book was serialised for screening on children's television. I remember seeing some of the filming being done in a field at Norton Common, at Corsley, near Warminster.

I watched the series when it was broadcast and it was a delight to see many familiar places on the tv screen.

But whether you know the locations or not, the book itself is a great little read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is in my opinion half a story about a runaway boy called Smiler, and Yarra, a runaway cheetah. Smiler is a good kid that feels he has been wronged and has no way of proving himself until his dad comes back from the sea. Smiler was a very relatable character and through out his whole journey and escapades you end up rooting for him. I enjoyed the story but the pace was a little slow to my liking.
What I did not like was the ending. WHAT HAPPENED? It somehow feels like there should be an epilogue or an extra chapter.
12/05/21
The story ages well in my mind. Changes rating from 3.5 to 4

[belcyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Precious story. The writer's writing style is very great that I feel like I'm inside the book. I would recommend this to everyone that needs comfortness, because it does make you feel comfort. Especially if you're interested in nature and animals.

**Got the ARC with exchange of review! (thanks to NetGalley)

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

So evocative. Blew my mind when I read it as a kid.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the first time I read it as a kid. Another one of those amazing stories my Grandma shared with me. I always identified with Smiler...

[Jamie Nakasone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and loved this book as a kid. I'm reading it again at 44. Lets see if the magic is still there.