The Fragrance of Grass

by Guy de la Valdene

 An ode to one man’s lifelong love affair with hunting  “Valdène’s wondrous field memoir is a rich sportsman’s miscellany— memorable and erudite fowling lore, camp etiquette, ballistics, poaching ethics, glorious anecdote, bloody ducks, persistent bawdiness, and better wine than you or I'll ever drink—all elegantly spun as an affectionate and sentimental education of loss and renewal. It’s a terrific book.”                                                                 —Richard Ford   Part memoir, part history, The Fragrance of Grass stands as a testament to Guy de la Valdène’s deep love of, and abiding respect for, the natural world and all that inhabit it. Set in places as far afield as France and Montana, Saskatchewan and Florida, this is a beautifully written book that is also an elegant treatise on everything from dogs, birds, and wildlife to food, wine, and women.  The Fragrance of Grass will be treasured by all sportsmen and by the readers of Tom McGuane and Jim Harrison.  The author’s first book in nearly a decade, it is now being published to coincide with the paperback edition of his classic Red Stag.   FROM THE INTRODUCTIONI am watching a thousand feathers—grey partridge feathers—floating high on the surface of the pond in front of the cabin I pretend to work in. I have plucked a million feathers from the bodies of all the grey partridge I have cooked in my life, beautiful golden-brown feathers that match the fall colors of the cypress tress that grow on the edge of my pond. It is November, and all at once winter includes me.         On the porch of the cabin there is a wooden rocking chair, weathered and comfortable, that I sit in every day. On quiet afternoons I think about the slowing growth of the loblolly pines I have been watching for twenty years, the everchanging face of the pond now active with fish, and the condition of the natural world outside of my custody. . . .         I have hunted at least one hour a day for three months a year, ever since I was eight years old. That translates into more than 5,000 hours in the field, a lifetime walk that, under different circumstances, might have taken me from Paris to Istanbul and back. If to this hike I add the time I have spent shooting . . . I can safely assume that I have had my hands on the stock of a gun for one whole year of the sixty-plus that I have been around.          I like to walk, and I know guns.   

Genres: Outdoors, Nature

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2011

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently re-read, and just as grand as the first read. Great Book.

Exceptional! In between bouts of blue-blood, French-ness, trust-fund bratiness, smugness, and snobbishness, there is treasure. I wish I had a list of all the perfect sentences used to describe dogs that I have highlighted over the years. If I did, the list would be longer after reading this. Equally educational and entertaining. I only recently came to know about this book. I'm certainly glad I found it. This is a book I will re-read on a regular basis. Bird dogs, good food, good drink, women and the wonder of the natural world.

[Art · Rating 1 out of 5]

Everyone has raved about this one. The prose is beautiful but the guy waxes poetically about hunting and killing animals. What is the point? Not interested.....

- read about this somewhere and decided to read it.

[Joe Banish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valdene's prose is a joy to read. Evocative, and with reverence for the simple (yet infinitely rewarding) pleasures that a life spent in nature affords. Valdene's descriptions of his favorite bird dogs, left a yearning in my heart to experience days in the field with my Brittany again.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memoir of a lifelong hunter. Some of the more memorable and insightful chapters are the short ones. Definitely worth a read if you are a fan outdoor literature.

[Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guy de la Valdene reminisces about a life of bird hunting from his green days as a youth in France to his mature years in Montana. His writings are sprinkled with interesting facts about historical hunts, land management and the nature and habits of the birds he hunts. Like many who have hunted for years the killing gives way to a greater appreciation for life and the hunt becomes more of a time for connecting with old friends and watching the dogs work. There is a great deal of pleasure to be found in working with well-trained dogs (as well as a great deal of frustration at times when their headstrong nature takes over). What I found sad was his inability to be with his dogs at the end of their life. For him it was a sorrow too great to bear. As great as the sorrow is (and it is heart-wrenching) I have comforted my dogs, holding them and speaking softly to them as they pass on from this life to whatever lies beyond for dogs. The love and companionship of my dogs requires no less of me.

[David Pilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent memoir on the outdoors by a Frenchman with a full appreciation of the hunting life from both a French and an American perspective. The title, by the way, is taken from a quote about the smell of a dog's paws...

[Aaron Oelger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite book so far from de la Valdene. In some places, I could almost hear his voice dictating the words onto the page. I read this book more slowly than normal, and will need to come back to ensure I got what i needed from his writing. Great job Guy!

[Davin Vounasis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best I have read in many years.

[Ron Patch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Bob Peru · Rating 5 out of 5]

even if you don't like hunting, this is a great book. the author shoots less and less as time goes on. and eats everything he kills. finely and respectfully prepared.

with drinks.

[Richard Novak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this one all the time, especially when I want to think about being outside.

[East To · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this author's writing style. Its a great book for bird dog enthusiasts.