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The River Singers
River-Singers
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
12 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Tom Moorhouse
13 books31 followersDr Tom Moorhouse is an author of nature books and children's fiction, and also a conservation research scientist who worked for over twenty years at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, part of Oxford University's Zoology Department.
Over his career he has researched quite a lot of British wildlife, most of which tried to bite him. He lives with his wife and daughter in Oxford. One day he hopes to persuade wild hedgehogs back into his garden.
Over his career he has researched quite a lot of British wildlife, most of which tried to bite him. He lives with his wife and daughter in Oxford. One day he hopes to persuade wild hedgehogs back into his garden.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 30, 2024
Aizraujoša grāmata, ko lasīt ne tikai bērniem, vēsta par ūdensžurku dzīvi līdzās viņu sargātājai Dižupei. Dzīvnieciņi kā literāri tēli runā un domā cilvēku valodā, un, kā jau tas sagaidāms, lasītājam ūdensžurkas sāk šķist jaukas radības, kurām just līdzi viņu izdzīvošanas ceļā uz jaunajām mājām. Lai arī dzīve ir grūta, un sāk uzmākties melnas domas, vai ir vērts censties un cīnīties, lai paliktu dzīvs, nosargātu teritoriju un barību, jo esi tik mazs, un ik uz soļa draud briesmas no plēsējiem, tomēr atziņa pāri visam, ka ir vērts būt šajā pasaulē, jo ikviens ir daļa no tās.
Ūdensžurku ģīmīši tik mīlīgi Saimona Mendesa ilustrācijās.
Ūdensžurku ģīmīši tik mīlīgi Saimona Mendesa ilustrācijās.
September 10, 2013
A heart felt tale of the perils faced by a young group of water voles, told very much in the style of the wonderful Colin Dann. It was refreshing to devour a novel for children that explores wild Britain and the wealth of wildlife that resides within the banks of our rivers. The author also deals with the topical issues surrounding the disappearance the beloved water vole, which is really what lies at the heart of this captivating narrative.
Sylvan and his family head out on a journey to find a safer home, as far away from the danger that has invaded the safety of their once peaceful home territory, a bloodthirsty mink. The four young voles are thrust into an adventure in which they face a host of hungry predators, make some friends in unusual places and place themselves at the mercy of the fast flowing river.
This is a beautifully written story that exposes a promising new voice in children's fiction and has the potential to become a classic that is resonant of tales such as Tarka the Otter and The Wind in the Willows.
Sylvan and his family head out on a journey to find a safer home, as far away from the danger that has invaded the safety of their once peaceful home territory, a bloodthirsty mink. The four young voles are thrust into an adventure in which they face a host of hungry predators, make some friends in unusual places and place themselves at the mercy of the fast flowing river.
This is a beautifully written story that exposes a promising new voice in children's fiction and has the potential to become a classic that is resonant of tales such as Tarka the Otter and The Wind in the Willows.
November 2, 2016
REVIEW BY NAOMI - YEAR 7
The River Singers is a very emotional story about four small water voles who - after leaving their burrow for the first time - are left motherless. A new predator has come to the riverbank and there is no choice but to leave the burrow, the only home they have ever known.
Although the circumstances were somber I did enjoy seeing the world through the voles eyes as they experienced things for the first time.
Be warned the story is very emotional, but at the same time it is gripping and exciting as you undergo the adventure with the voles. Combining realistic elements about the life of a water vole with fantasy aspects made the story interesting and provided a very unique perspective of the world around you.
Highly recommend for fans of animal stories.
The River Singers is a very emotional story about four small water voles who - after leaving their burrow for the first time - are left motherless. A new predator has come to the riverbank and there is no choice but to leave the burrow, the only home they have ever known.
Although the circumstances were somber I did enjoy seeing the world through the voles eyes as they experienced things for the first time.
Be warned the story is very emotional, but at the same time it is gripping and exciting as you undergo the adventure with the voles. Combining realistic elements about the life of a water vole with fantasy aspects made the story interesting and provided a very unique perspective of the world around you.
Highly recommend for fans of animal stories.
September 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, it reminded me of Watership Down and Animals of Farthing Wood. I agree with the 9+ reading age, not that younger children wouldn't be able to read it. Just the fact that it is a little upsetting in places, I am still emotionally scarred from watching the cartoon adaptation of Watership Down when I was 7. It is however a great story of survival, family and friendship.
October 14, 2016
Loved This Book. Enjoyed Reading It (As An Adult) And I Hope It Becomes A Classic For Younger Readers In Years To Come. Will Be Recommending This (And Its Sequal, "The Rising") To My Daughter In Years To Come *X*
December 3, 2022
I was given this book probably seven or eight years ago. I am quite certain that someone gave it to me because I loved Watership Down so much. I never had the motivation to read it until now (and handily I reread Watership Down earlier this year so I have a point of comparison) and it is not as good but in the end I did enjoy it to some extent. The characters were sweet if slight archetypes and the plot was overall satisfying. I would recommend to children who enjoy animal books but if you're looking for something like Watership Down that could be read by people of all ages and enjoyed then this is not it.
February 28, 2021
I wanted to read this book as we will be teaching from it next term, but I don't really like children's fiction, as I generally find it too tame fir my tastes. While this book is quite tame (it's about a family of water voles trying to find a new home), there are some interesting themes that emerge. The family go through a number of traumas from losing a parent, a sibling and homelessness. They encounter several hostile characters along their journey and they each develop strength, courage and resilience along the way. I thought Aven might have developed a cute vole love-interest but maybe that's in the next book...which I won't be reading!
November 6, 2023
‘The River Singers’ is the tale of a litter of young water-voles who are forced to fend for themselves after their mother disappears. It has some potential, but the writing is mediocre and the obvious set-up for future books means you don’t feel as though you’ve read a complete story. This is basically extremely average animal fiction – not dreadful, but not really worth reading either.
May 28, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this book with my year 5 class 3 years in a row. The description is fantastic and great for new vocabulary and the characters were great. The sibling relationship is wonderfully executed. I thought water voles were a unique choice of animal which linked well with the river setting.
July 22, 2023
Mooi verhaal. Moeizame vertaling, maakt het (voor)lezen pittig
December 3, 2023
I'm traumatised
December 5, 2014
Whilst having some adventures down in Salcombe this summer (namely swimming in secret coves and snooping behind hidden doors), Moontrug stumbled across a book that critics, bloggers and children have been praising for months: Tom Moorhouse’s The River Singers. Heralded as the new Wind in the Willows or Watership Down, Moorhouse (with his background in Zoology – which mostly involves being bitten by wildlife) has created a riverside world of water voles, otters, herons and rats.
‘Something was approaching the burrow. Something deadly. Something that made Sylva’s fur bristle with fear.’ When a predator attacks in the dead of night, Sylvan narrowly escapes with his life. But with his mother now missing and the burrow left unprotected, he knows he can’t stay safe for long. Together with his brother and sisters, Sylvan sets out on a dangerous journey to find a new home. But enemies are lurking everywhere and soon they will face the greatest test of all…
From the first sentence Moorhouse brings the water voles’ landscape to life. The Sinethis, the Great River at the heart of Sylvan’s world, is beautifully described: ‘She sings with a song as soft as thistles, hard as roots, deep as shadows, old as stones’ and Moontrug loved the way Sylvan learnt to read its rhythms: ‘Words threaded their way through the Great River’s music. It is danger.’ The water voles’ lives are fraught with danger and Moorhouse captures their fear brilliantly: ‘The terror came in the night. It came with swiftness. It came with teeth.’ His writing is full of drama and suspense whenever predators are lurking near and these moments of tension propel the plot forward with relentless energy. But alongside violent predators, Moorhouse gives us a wonderfully funny set of water vole characters: ‘I still don’t think that spending a night with a potentially violent rat is a good idea.’ And Aven, Sylvan’s sister, is awesome in her punchy treatment of Mistress Lily: ‘As you pointed out, I am quite small. But I am also exceptionally vicious.’
Moontrug loved the values Moorhouse places at the centre of his book: friendship, family, hope and bravery – and Sylvan’s character growth from headstrong youth to faithful leader is fantastically done: ‘If what I asked is not your way then give me the strength to fight.’ The River Singers is, as author Lauren St John says ‘a hymn to nature, written with compassion and flair’ and Moontrug has got a feeling readers of 8+ years are going to love the sequel (out now), The Rising, just as much as this…
‘Something was approaching the burrow. Something deadly. Something that made Sylva’s fur bristle with fear.’ When a predator attacks in the dead of night, Sylvan narrowly escapes with his life. But with his mother now missing and the burrow left unprotected, he knows he can’t stay safe for long. Together with his brother and sisters, Sylvan sets out on a dangerous journey to find a new home. But enemies are lurking everywhere and soon they will face the greatest test of all…
From the first sentence Moorhouse brings the water voles’ landscape to life. The Sinethis, the Great River at the heart of Sylvan’s world, is beautifully described: ‘She sings with a song as soft as thistles, hard as roots, deep as shadows, old as stones’ and Moontrug loved the way Sylvan learnt to read its rhythms: ‘Words threaded their way through the Great River’s music. It is danger.’ The water voles’ lives are fraught with danger and Moorhouse captures their fear brilliantly: ‘The terror came in the night. It came with swiftness. It came with teeth.’ His writing is full of drama and suspense whenever predators are lurking near and these moments of tension propel the plot forward with relentless energy. But alongside violent predators, Moorhouse gives us a wonderfully funny set of water vole characters: ‘I still don’t think that spending a night with a potentially violent rat is a good idea.’ And Aven, Sylvan’s sister, is awesome in her punchy treatment of Mistress Lily: ‘As you pointed out, I am quite small. But I am also exceptionally vicious.’
Moontrug loved the values Moorhouse places at the centre of his book: friendship, family, hope and bravery – and Sylvan’s character growth from headstrong youth to faithful leader is fantastically done: ‘If what I asked is not your way then give me the strength to fight.’ The River Singers is, as author Lauren St John says ‘a hymn to nature, written with compassion and flair’ and Moontrug has got a feeling readers of 8+ years are going to love the sequel (out now), The Rising, just as much as this…
June 26, 2015
Rich, genuine and warm-hearted, 'The River Singers' is such a lovely book. Moorhouse, as evidenced by this book and also the talk I was privileged to hear him give at the FCBG Conference in 2015, knows the riverside world very well. In this, his debut novel, we are with the River Singers - a family of water voles who live on the side of the river.
The presentation of the water vole's world is beautifully done; everything feels right. In fact, I think that idea of feeling is key when it comes to a discussion of The Water Singers. You feel so much of this text; it is full of palpable richness. From the teasing chatter of the siblings through to the nobility of the river; you feel it. You're immersed, very instantly, and very richly into a book that sings of Colin Dann, Richard Adams and of The Wind in the Willows. There's also a place for this text, with its very specific rural evocation of space, to be considered against something like the Last Wild trilogy by Piers Torday; a series which is both very much a part and apart from The River Singers.
There were a few moments where I would have welcomed the tezt to dwell more upon the moment. By this, I mean just allowing things to pause and hold for a moment before shifting onto the next 'thing' - it's through the act of dwelling that the text gets to breathe and give space to its depth of feeling and of tone. I lost a few of the key plot points simply through not-quite-properly-reading them and had to backtrack at a few points to sufficiently connect all of the dots. Moorhouse's writing is so gloriously solid that it deserves time to be enjoyed before moving onto the next moment of the sequence. Sequence. Ha. I do think of this book as a sequence, perhaps more so than others; it is a sinuous, entrancing curve of a book and it is one that is - just - good. Despite those brief lapses (and brief, I might add, is key here - I'm referring to only a couple of key moments), The River Singers is such a joy. It's like a love letter to nature and it's written with such vivid passion that it's hard to ignore.
The presentation of the water vole's world is beautifully done; everything feels right. In fact, I think that idea of feeling is key when it comes to a discussion of The Water Singers. You feel so much of this text; it is full of palpable richness. From the teasing chatter of the siblings through to the nobility of the river; you feel it. You're immersed, very instantly, and very richly into a book that sings of Colin Dann, Richard Adams and of The Wind in the Willows. There's also a place for this text, with its very specific rural evocation of space, to be considered against something like the Last Wild trilogy by Piers Torday; a series which is both very much a part and apart from The River Singers.
There were a few moments where I would have welcomed the tezt to dwell more upon the moment. By this, I mean just allowing things to pause and hold for a moment before shifting onto the next 'thing' - it's through the act of dwelling that the text gets to breathe and give space to its depth of feeling and of tone. I lost a few of the key plot points simply through not-quite-properly-reading them and had to backtrack at a few points to sufficiently connect all of the dots. Moorhouse's writing is so gloriously solid that it deserves time to be enjoyed before moving onto the next moment of the sequence. Sequence. Ha. I do think of this book as a sequence, perhaps more so than others; it is a sinuous, entrancing curve of a book and it is one that is - just - good. Despite those brief lapses (and brief, I might add, is key here - I'm referring to only a couple of key moments), The River Singers is such a joy. It's like a love letter to nature and it's written with such vivid passion that it's hard to ignore.
May 21, 2014
Finde deinen Weg
Zitat:
Er singt mit uns ein Lied, so weich wie die Disteln, so hart wie die Wurzeln, so tief wie die Schatten, so alt wie die Steine. Wir singen mit ihm ein Lied, so schnell wie Gedanken, so süß wie Äpfel, so kurz wie der Tag. Wir sind Fluss- Sänger, und wir gehören ihm.
(Seite 216)
Ein schönes Kinderbuch, von dem Autor Tom Moorhouse, über eine Mäusefamilie die an einem großen Fluss wohnt.
Sylvan eines von vier Schermäusekindern will endlich die Welt entdecken, ein Abenteuer erleben.
Eines Tages endlich zeigt ihn die Mutter ihr Territorium, doch schon kurz darauf werden sie von einem unbekannten Tier angegriffen und ihre Mutter verschwindet spurlos.
Nun sind die vier jungen Mäuse, ganz auf sich allein gestellt und Sylvans Abenteuer startet früher als geplant. Sie müssen aus ihrem Bau verschwinden und erfahren, dass das Wesen am großen Fluss sein Unwesen treibt. Ihnen bleibt nur noch eine lange und beschwerliche Reise, um ein neues Zuhause zu finden an einem sicheren Ort. Unterwegs treffen sie auf die Ratte Fodur die ihn von dem Marschland erzählt.
Fazit:
Eine liebevoll detaillierte Geschichte über das Leben von Schermäusen, sehr anschaulich und lebensnah erzählt. Die Schermäuse sind richtige kleine Persönlichkeiten und wachsen einem schon nach wenigen Seiten ans Herz. Klar in erster Linie ist dies ein Buch für Kinder, aber ich denke auch Erwachsene werden so ihre Freude damit haben. Der Autor erschafft hier eine wunderbare natürliche Atmosphäre, die in vielerlei Hinsicht sehr lehrreich ist, aber ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger auskommt.
Ein Buch über Familie, Zusammenhalt, Freundschaft und großen Mut.
Randnotiz:
Als kleinen Augenschmaus, enthält dieses Buch auch ein paar schöne schwarz-weiß Zeichnungen, die den Inhalt der Geschichte sehr gut treffen.
****
Zitat:
Er singt mit uns ein Lied, so weich wie die Disteln, so hart wie die Wurzeln, so tief wie die Schatten, so alt wie die Steine. Wir singen mit ihm ein Lied, so schnell wie Gedanken, so süß wie Äpfel, so kurz wie der Tag. Wir sind Fluss- Sänger, und wir gehören ihm.
(Seite 216)
Ein schönes Kinderbuch, von dem Autor Tom Moorhouse, über eine Mäusefamilie die an einem großen Fluss wohnt.
Sylvan eines von vier Schermäusekindern will endlich die Welt entdecken, ein Abenteuer erleben.
Eines Tages endlich zeigt ihn die Mutter ihr Territorium, doch schon kurz darauf werden sie von einem unbekannten Tier angegriffen und ihre Mutter verschwindet spurlos.
Nun sind die vier jungen Mäuse, ganz auf sich allein gestellt und Sylvans Abenteuer startet früher als geplant. Sie müssen aus ihrem Bau verschwinden und erfahren, dass das Wesen am großen Fluss sein Unwesen treibt. Ihnen bleibt nur noch eine lange und beschwerliche Reise, um ein neues Zuhause zu finden an einem sicheren Ort. Unterwegs treffen sie auf die Ratte Fodur die ihn von dem Marschland erzählt.
Fazit:
Eine liebevoll detaillierte Geschichte über das Leben von Schermäusen, sehr anschaulich und lebensnah erzählt. Die Schermäuse sind richtige kleine Persönlichkeiten und wachsen einem schon nach wenigen Seiten ans Herz. Klar in erster Linie ist dies ein Buch für Kinder, aber ich denke auch Erwachsene werden so ihre Freude damit haben. Der Autor erschafft hier eine wunderbare natürliche Atmosphäre, die in vielerlei Hinsicht sehr lehrreich ist, aber ohne erhobenen Zeigefinger auskommt.
Ein Buch über Familie, Zusammenhalt, Freundschaft und großen Mut.
Randnotiz:
Als kleinen Augenschmaus, enthält dieses Buch auch ein paar schöne schwarz-weiß Zeichnungen, die den Inhalt der Geschichte sehr gut treffen.
****
May 2, 2014
Die junge Fluss-Sängerfamilie sieht sich einem neuartigen Feind gegenüber. Sie müssen ihr Gebiet verlassen, wenn sich nicht getötet werden wollen. Die Familie besteht aus zwei Weibchen und zwei Männchen. Sylvan ist das älteste Männchen und somit muss er nun für seine Familie sorgen. Er spricht mit dem großen Fluss, um sich Kraft und Stärke zu sicher. Danach brechen alle zusammen auf, um ein neues Zuhause zu finden und vor dem Feind zu fliehen.
Ich finde, dass dies ein gutes Buch für junge Leser ist. Die Zeichnungen sind unterstützend zum Inhalt des Buches. Nicht jedes Kind kann sich beispielsweise einen Otter vorstellen oder hat schon mal einen gesehen, an dieser Stelle hilft eine Zeichnung aus. Die Zeichnungen sind ansprechend gestaltet. Mein Manko an der Sache ist allerdings, dass Mäuseaugen nicht so aussehen wie dargestellt. Sie haben kleine schwarze Knopfaugen, keine menschenähnlichen Augen.
Der Schreibstil ist einfach gehalten und berücksichtig Tierisches Verhalten, so taucht das Wort "Flanken" auf und auch die Handlung, des sich an die Nase stupsens. Alles in allem ist die Reise vorhersehbar. Das Ziel ist die ganze Zeit über klar und eindeutig.
Ich mag Fodur als Charakter sehr gern. Seine leicht verunstalte Sprache, führte aber teilweise dazu, dass ich in Gedanken sein Sprachmuster auf die Sänger übertragen habe. Ich denke für Kinder ist dies nicht förderlich.
Die Covergestaltung finde ich schön und ansprechend. Es ist ein Buch, dass sich sehen lassen kann.
Ich würde mich sehr über einen zweiten Teil freuen. Mein Herz ist noch voller Hoffnung für eine bestimmte Maus.
Ich finde, dass dies ein gutes Buch für junge Leser ist. Die Zeichnungen sind unterstützend zum Inhalt des Buches. Nicht jedes Kind kann sich beispielsweise einen Otter vorstellen oder hat schon mal einen gesehen, an dieser Stelle hilft eine Zeichnung aus. Die Zeichnungen sind ansprechend gestaltet. Mein Manko an der Sache ist allerdings, dass Mäuseaugen nicht so aussehen wie dargestellt. Sie haben kleine schwarze Knopfaugen, keine menschenähnlichen Augen.
Der Schreibstil ist einfach gehalten und berücksichtig Tierisches Verhalten, so taucht das Wort "Flanken" auf und auch die Handlung, des sich an die Nase stupsens. Alles in allem ist die Reise vorhersehbar. Das Ziel ist die ganze Zeit über klar und eindeutig.
Ich mag Fodur als Charakter sehr gern. Seine leicht verunstalte Sprache, führte aber teilweise dazu, dass ich in Gedanken sein Sprachmuster auf die Sänger übertragen habe. Ich denke für Kinder ist dies nicht förderlich.
Die Covergestaltung finde ich schön und ansprechend. Es ist ein Buch, dass sich sehen lassen kann.
Ich würde mich sehr über einen zweiten Teil freuen. Mein Herz ist noch voller Hoffnung für eine bestimmte Maus.
May 12, 2014
This story follows Sylvan the water vole from his early days in the burrow with his mother, brother and two sisters. Very quickly it is clear that danger is everywhere as the outside is “full of weasels and owls and things that want to eat us”.
However these are dangers they can deal with, but a new danger arrives, “I hear whispers of a new enemy, a black creature, more vicious than the others.” This danger leaves the young motherless, and Sylvan, as the oldest, has a new found responsibility. “Yesterday life had been a game. Now he was a small, scared vole, huddled in a burrow, responsible for his siblings. And tomorrow they would have to fight or be driven from their home and into the unknown.”
This forces Sylvan to lead his family downstream, past other dangers. “Somewhere downstream was a home for them, he was sure of it. It was his job to get them there.”
Overall it has a plot similar to Watership Down, except it is about voles, or river singers as they are also known. This doesn’t matter too much of course. The fact that voles, minks, otters, herons etc. feature in the book gives children the ideal chance to learn a little more about these creatures in a fiction setting, a much easier environment to learn in my opinion than non-fiction texts. There is a little death along the way so your child will have to be able to deal with that, but if so this is a little gem of a book.
However these are dangers they can deal with, but a new danger arrives, “I hear whispers of a new enemy, a black creature, more vicious than the others.” This danger leaves the young motherless, and Sylvan, as the oldest, has a new found responsibility. “Yesterday life had been a game. Now he was a small, scared vole, huddled in a burrow, responsible for his siblings. And tomorrow they would have to fight or be driven from their home and into the unknown.”
This forces Sylvan to lead his family downstream, past other dangers. “Somewhere downstream was a home for them, he was sure of it. It was his job to get them there.”
Overall it has a plot similar to Watership Down, except it is about voles, or river singers as they are also known. This doesn’t matter too much of course. The fact that voles, minks, otters, herons etc. feature in the book gives children the ideal chance to learn a little more about these creatures in a fiction setting, a much easier environment to learn in my opinion than non-fiction texts. There is a little death along the way so your child will have to be able to deal with that, but if so this is a little gem of a book.
March 30, 2014
I came to this via a slightly circuitous roue in that my interest was piqued by hearing Shirley Henderson read some excerpts on radio 4 Extra. She did so beautifully and it brought me back to the book. So here we have life as seen through the eyes of Sylvan, a young water vole forced to care for his family. It always helps in books about animals if the author is an expert and Moorhouse gives us his expertise with light brushstrokes that tells of the plight of endangered species, and the malign effects of man's inconsiderate encroachment on delicate environments and their carelessness in introducing predators.
But in effect, this is a story about a family's survival in the wild. For a log time I have fought shy of too many anthropomorphic books. I did not enjoy Richard Adams' Watership Down as much as I felt I ought to and Shardik was too political. Moorhoouse's tale, on the other hand, deals purely with the animal kingdom and the temptation to involve humans is gratifyingly avoided.Beautifully illustrated, this gripping story is guaranteed to keep the children asking for more not only at bedtime, but with a follow up and a prequel to come. This is a chap who knows his onions (voles).
But in effect, this is a story about a family's survival in the wild. For a log time I have fought shy of too many anthropomorphic books. I did not enjoy Richard Adams' Watership Down as much as I felt I ought to and Shardik was too political. Moorhoouse's tale, on the other hand, deals purely with the animal kingdom and the temptation to involve humans is gratifyingly avoided.Beautifully illustrated, this gripping story is guaranteed to keep the children asking for more not only at bedtime, but with a follow up and a prequel to come. This is a chap who knows his onions (voles).
January 10, 2016
Der 217 Seiten lange Debütroman von Tom Moorhouse erzählt vom Leben der Schermäuse am großen Fluss, den sie Sinethis nennen. Es ist sowohl die Geschichte von Sylvan, der mit seinen drei Geschwistern die heimatlichen Gefilde verlässt, um einen sicheren Ort zu suchen, als auch eine Analogie zum Erwachsenwerden von Jugendlichen.
Moorhouse hat, gerade am Anfang, einen sehr bildhaften Stil, der das Leben der Schermäuse und ihre Mythologie als Flusssänger verdeutlicht. Für mich waren diese Textpassagen teilweise Stolpersteine.
Im Laufe des Romans wurde das aber entweder wesentlich besser, oder aber ich habe mich so sehr daran gewöhnt, dass mich der Stil nicht mehr störte.
Spätestens als meine Lieblingsfigur auftauchte, haben mich die River Singers völlig in ihren Bann gezogen! Fodur hat als mauseartiges Tier eine sprachliche Basis mit den vier Mäusen, spricht aber dennoch völlig anders. Sein Akzent ist liebenswert und allein dafür würde ich das Buch in absehbarer Zeit noch einmal lesen.
Trotz der Startschwierigkeiten, die ich mit diesem Werk hatte, verdient die liebevoll gewebte Erzählung über das Leben und das Erwachsenwerden volle fünf von fünf Schnörkeln.
Moorhouse hat, gerade am Anfang, einen sehr bildhaften Stil, der das Leben der Schermäuse und ihre Mythologie als Flusssänger verdeutlicht. Für mich waren diese Textpassagen teilweise Stolpersteine.
Im Laufe des Romans wurde das aber entweder wesentlich besser, oder aber ich habe mich so sehr daran gewöhnt, dass mich der Stil nicht mehr störte.
Spätestens als meine Lieblingsfigur auftauchte, haben mich die River Singers völlig in ihren Bann gezogen! Fodur hat als mauseartiges Tier eine sprachliche Basis mit den vier Mäusen, spricht aber dennoch völlig anders. Sein Akzent ist liebenswert und allein dafür würde ich das Buch in absehbarer Zeit noch einmal lesen.
Trotz der Startschwierigkeiten, die ich mit diesem Werk hatte, verdient die liebevoll gewebte Erzählung über das Leben und das Erwachsenwerden volle fünf von fünf Schnörkeln.
November 14, 2015
De schrijver is een Britse ecoloog en woelrattenonderzoek is zijn specialisatie. Dat is goed te merken in dit verhaal. Hij weet zich zo in te leven in het leven van de vier woelratten dat alles heel natuurlijk aandoet. We begrijpen onmiddellijk waarom de rivier zo belangrijk is, we voelen gelijk mee hoe moeilijk het is om een kaal veld over te steken, we snappen hoe belangrijk het is om geurvlaggen af te zetten. De woelrattenwereld wordt even onze wereld terwijl het ook zo anders is. Dit alles weet Tom Moorehouse prachtig invoelend te verwoorden.
Bij het verhaal staan op elke pagina vrij realistische zwart-wit afbeeldingen en voor deze ene keer ben ik het met de keus voor zwart-wit eens. Afbeeldingen in kleur zouden te lief en te sprookjesachtig zijn, dat past niet bij dit spannende avontuur. Hoewel dit boek zeer goed als 'stand alone' te lezen is, ligt gelukkig deel twee al klaar, want ik wil eigenlijk nog helemaal geen afscheid nemen van deze dappere woelratten en die geweldige Fodur. Fantastisch boek, grote aanrader!
Bij het verhaal staan op elke pagina vrij realistische zwart-wit afbeeldingen en voor deze ene keer ben ik het met de keus voor zwart-wit eens. Afbeeldingen in kleur zouden te lief en te sprookjesachtig zijn, dat past niet bij dit spannende avontuur. Hoewel dit boek zeer goed als 'stand alone' te lezen is, ligt gelukkig deel twee al klaar, want ik wil eigenlijk nog helemaal geen afscheid nemen van deze dappere woelratten en die geweldige Fodur. Fantastisch boek, grote aanrader!
July 19, 2016
Lovely story of our wildlife from the riverbank. Great adventure with just the right amount of tension for young readers that will leave them itching for the next book to find out what other adventures Sylvan will have to overcome.
July 23, 2014
3.5/5, I think. Lovely book.
July 13, 2015
This was a beautifully written story of a family of water voles. It took me on their journey with them. Lovely!
February 28, 2016
The story of four water voles..The book was a little slow at the start but soon picked up pace. The voles characters were infectious. It was a well told delightful story.
March 20, 2015
Beautifully written.
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