The Secret Trails

by Charles G.D. Roberts

The population of Lonesome Water—some fourscore families in all—acknowledged one sole fly in the ointment of its self-satisfaction. Slowly, reluctantly, it had been brought to confess that the breed of its pigs was not the best on earth. They were small, wiry pigs, over-leisurely of growth, great feeders, yet hard to fatten; and in the end they brought but an inferior price in the far-off market town by the sea, to which their frozen, stiff-legged carcases were hauled on sleds over the winter's snow. It was decided by the village council that the breed must be severely improved.

78 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1916

About the author

Sir Charles George Douglas Roberts, was a Canadian poet and prose writer who is known as the Father of Canadian Poetry. He was almost the first Canadian author to obtain worldwide reputation and influence; he was also a tireless promoter and encourager of Canadian literature. He published numerous works on Canadian exploration and natural history, verse, travel books, and fiction. At his death he was regarded as Canada's leading man of letters.

Besides his own body of work, Roberts served as an inspiration and a source of assistance for other Canadian poets of his time.

Roberts, his cousin Bliss Carman, Archibald Lampman, and Duncan Campbell Scott are known as the Confederation Poets.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

My teacher read this collection of short stories aloud to our class. Since he is a huge fan of Charles G. D. Roberts and his nature stories, he read with enthusiasm, and it was obvious how much he relished these stories. While Roberts has never been my favorite author, I was able to enjoy the stories because of the excellent narration.

This collection of stories in very interesting in its own special way. Roberts obviously knew nature from every angle. Most chapters deal with highly unusual situations. One of his favorite tropes seems to be placing domesticated creatures in the middle of the wilderness, and sitting back to see what happens. My main complaint is that such situations do get a little wearisome. I'm also not a big fan of Roberts's writing style. Anyway, on to the next book, Kindred of the Wild (we heard the first chapter today).

[Andy Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

1916 collection of nature stories from Canadian poet and author of one of my favourite wildlife novels, Red Fox. Some well observed animal behaviour, some stories that owe more to folk or tall tales. And buried in there, a devastating story “The Aigrette” about how brutal animal cruelty feeds fashion.