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Tiger
Tiger is a bewitching novel that brings together three humans and a tiger in the wilds of Siberia.
Frieda is a primatologist, sensitively attuned to her research. When a terrible attack shatters her world, she becomes familiar with violence and competition. It is in her new role as a zookeeper that these brutal attributes will be sharpened. And here that she confronts her new ward: an untamed Siberian tiger.
The forest that the cub came from is home to humans on the very edge of wilderness. Tomas, a Russian conservationist, fears that the natural order has toppled. The King tiger has been killed by poachers, and a spectacular tigress now patrols his vast territory as her own.
In the perilous, freezing winter, when all living things compete ruthlessly for survival, her path crosses with a mother and daughter who take an unthinkable risk. Vengeance must follow; and in the terrible clash between human and tiger, the cub will be captured.
When Frieda learns of her cub's past, it brings with it the chance for freedom. Faced with the forces of nature and savage femininity, Frieda must trust to her instinct and, like the tiger, find a way to live in the world.
A sweeping story of survival and redeeming love, Tiger plunges the reader into one of the world's last surviving wildernesses with blistering authenticity. Readers of Stef Penney's The Tenderness of Wolves and Eowyn Ivey's The Bright Edge of the World will love this magnificent second novel by Polly Clark, the prizewinning author of Larchfield.
Frieda is a primatologist, sensitively attuned to her research. When a terrible attack shatters her world, she becomes familiar with violence and competition. It is in her new role as a zookeeper that these brutal attributes will be sharpened. And here that she confronts her new ward: an untamed Siberian tiger.
The forest that the cub came from is home to humans on the very edge of wilderness. Tomas, a Russian conservationist, fears that the natural order has toppled. The King tiger has been killed by poachers, and a spectacular tigress now patrols his vast territory as her own.
In the perilous, freezing winter, when all living things compete ruthlessly for survival, her path crosses with a mother and daughter who take an unthinkable risk. Vengeance must follow; and in the terrible clash between human and tiger, the cub will be captured.
When Frieda learns of her cub's past, it brings with it the chance for freedom. Faced with the forces of nature and savage femininity, Frieda must trust to her instinct and, like the tiger, find a way to live in the world.
A sweeping story of survival and redeeming love, Tiger plunges the reader into one of the world's last surviving wildernesses with blistering authenticity. Readers of Stef Penney's The Tenderness of Wolves and Eowyn Ivey's The Bright Edge of the World will love this magnificent second novel by Polly Clark, the prizewinning author of Larchfield.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2019
18 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
August 17, 2023
4.5★
That this has been languishing, unread on my Kindle for a few years is absolutely my loss. I was completely captivated by it. The extra half star is for the structure that intrigued me right until the end when it all came together in such a satisfying way.
The atmospheric Prologue plunges us straight into the wild, snowy depths of Siberia, where a Russian hunter is stalking the tiger king. It's so exciting that I read it twice! It gave me exactly what I came for.
Then in Part 1 the perspective changes. Dr Frieda Bloom is a primatologist - a Bonobo expert - and also a morphine addict. When she loses her research position, her supervisor secures her a job as a Bonobo-keeper at an obscure private zoo, on the proviso that she arrives and remains clean of her addiction. Soon after she commences, Frieda learns that the zoo is preparing for the arrival of a Siberian tigress, which is quite a big deal. As interesting as this Part was, I was a little disappointed to be in England... with the Bonobos. But I needn't have worried.
For Part 2, we are back in Siberia with Tomas, who works on his father's tiger reserve. Preparing for the arrival of an influential figure who might be able to bring the reserve to the attention of President Putin and the opportunity for additional funding, Tomas is despatched to the far reaches of the forest to obtain footage of The Countess, the alpha tigress. Tomas discovers her tracks and realises she is a few days ahead, and she is tracking a bear. Then he notices some other tracks that really shouldn't be there, and he forges ahead with increasing urgency.
Part 3 keeps us in Siberia and introduces us to the Udeghe people and culture. Edit has grown up in her small village in the forest where her people have the healthiest respect for their tiger neighbours. When a child is born at the wrong end of Edit's marriage, she leaves the village with her father's help and finds herself settling in an abandoned cabin in the remotest, wildest part of the forest. It shouldn't work, but it does, and she keeps her daughter Zina safe for many years, passing on her traditional knowledge and skills.
Then, lo and behold, we get another perspective - the tiger. It's done well; no need to worry about twee anthropomorphism here.
While each part seems disparate, and as you're reading it's tricky to work out the timeline, it all falls into place towards the end like a beautifully crafted jigsaw puzzle. I learned a lot about Siberian tigers and was delighted to be introduced to the Udeghe, but even without that it was a fantastic story with some truly hair-raising or heartstopping moments.
That this has been languishing, unread on my Kindle for a few years is absolutely my loss. I was completely captivated by it. The extra half star is for the structure that intrigued me right until the end when it all came together in such a satisfying way.
The atmospheric Prologue plunges us straight into the wild, snowy depths of Siberia, where a Russian hunter is stalking the tiger king. It's so exciting that I read it twice! It gave me exactly what I came for.
Then in Part 1 the perspective changes. Dr Frieda Bloom is a primatologist - a Bonobo expert - and also a morphine addict. When she loses her research position, her supervisor secures her a job as a Bonobo-keeper at an obscure private zoo, on the proviso that she arrives and remains clean of her addiction. Soon after she commences, Frieda learns that the zoo is preparing for the arrival of a Siberian tigress, which is quite a big deal. As interesting as this Part was, I was a little disappointed to be in England... with the Bonobos. But I needn't have worried.
For Part 2, we are back in Siberia with Tomas, who works on his father's tiger reserve. Preparing for the arrival of an influential figure who might be able to bring the reserve to the attention of President Putin and the opportunity for additional funding, Tomas is despatched to the far reaches of the forest to obtain footage of The Countess, the alpha tigress. Tomas discovers her tracks and realises she is a few days ahead, and she is tracking a bear. Then he notices some other tracks that really shouldn't be there, and he forges ahead with increasing urgency.
Part 3 keeps us in Siberia and introduces us to the Udeghe people and culture. Edit has grown up in her small village in the forest where her people have the healthiest respect for their tiger neighbours. When a child is born at the wrong end of Edit's marriage, she leaves the village with her father's help and finds herself settling in an abandoned cabin in the remotest, wildest part of the forest. It shouldn't work, but it does, and she keeps her daughter Zina safe for many years, passing on her traditional knowledge and skills.
Then, lo and behold, we get another perspective - the tiger. It's done well; no need to worry about twee anthropomorphism here.
While each part seems disparate, and as you're reading it's tricky to work out the timeline, it all falls into place towards the end like a beautifully crafted jigsaw puzzle. I learned a lot about Siberian tigers and was delighted to be introduced to the Udeghe, but even without that it was a fantastic story with some truly hair-raising or heartstopping moments.
January 4, 2021
"Тигър" ми вървеше изключително бавно, но все по хубави причини. Написана е много красиво, някак съзерцателно, и просто не подбужда потребност да прехвърчиш през страниците. Личи си, че Поли Кларк е вложила всичко от себе си в тази книга – от искрената емоция и многопластовото потапяне в образите, през задълбочените проучвания, та чак до пътуването до Сибир, което е предприела, за да може да предаде пълнокръвно суровата мистерия на това място и неговите обитатели. Чистата, на моменти почти жестока, но винаги справедлива същност на дивото влива живителна сила на трима прекършени от съдбата герои. Досегът с тайгата и неопитомения дух на царя хищник едновременно оголва и изличава мъките им, защото срещата с тигър никога не е случайна. Мисля, че всеки, който намира утеха и свобода сред природата, би оценил романа по достойнство.
October 31, 2020
Tomas betreibt mit seinem Vater Iwan ein Reservat in der Amur-Region, nahe der Grenze zu China. Unter Putins Regierung ist hier alles möglich, von der Abholzung privater Waldbestände bis zu Jagdcamps für reiche Touristen. Als in einem Dorf in der Gegend eine Tigerin getötet wird, gerät in der Natur das Gleichgewicht einer schwindenden Tigerpopulation aus dem Tritt und beim Volk der
Udehe begehrt Edit gegen die ihr zugedachte Rolle auf. In einem kleinen Zoo in Devon tritt derweil Frieda Bloom eine neue Stelle an und begegnet dabei einer Sibirischen Tigerin, die in genau dieser Region gefangen worden sein muss. Frieda, äußerlich gezeichnet nach einer schweren Kopfverletzung, hat ihre Stelle als Primatenforscherin verloren und gerät im Torbet Zoo mitten in den komplizierten Vater-Sohn-Konflikt der Zoo-Besitzer-Familie. Ob sie wirklich geeignet ist, als Anfängerin im Raubtier-Revier ein gestresstes Tier zu betreuen, scheint in der Situation nebensächlich. Gesundheitlich ein Wrack, erzählt Frieda aus der Ichperspektive. Allein durch ihre Ausdrucksweise hinterlässt sie einen wenig kompetenten Eindruck; denn sie rutscht mehrfach aus der professionellen Distanz der Wissenschaftlerin und bewertet Tierverhalten moralisch, anstatt es zu beschreiben. Auch zwischen Tomas und Iwan köchelt seit langem ein Konflikt. Vater und Sohn können das Camp nicht miteinander und nicht ohne einander betreiben. Tomas als erfahrener Fährtenleser kann nicht ohne den gerissenen Geschäftssinn seines Vaters existieren, der das Camp der beiden unbedingt bei einem Vertrauten Putins ins rechte Licht setzen will. Umgekehrt gilt das ebenso für Iwan. Auf dieser Basis bricht Tomas in die winterliche Taiga auf, wo er auf Edit trifft, die Frau aus dem Udehe-Volk, die dort inzwischen allein mit ihrer kleinen Tochter Sina lebt. Auch zwischen Mutter und Tochter zeichnete sich ein Konflikt ab, weil das zehnjährige Naturkind sich nicht länger von anderen Menschen fernhalten will und Edits Kräfte sichtlich schwinden.
In verschachtelten Rückblenden blättert Polly Clark die Beziehungen zwischen den beteiligten Menschen auf und erzählt von der Tigerpopulation der Amur-Region. Irritierend fand ich den unterschiedlichen Raum, den die Autorin ihre Figuren einnehmen lässt. Vom Unwichtigen zum Wichtigen gestaffelt schienen die Abschnitte zunehmend kürzer auszufallen und die Rückblenden zuzunehmen. Friedas Vorgeschichte in London und Devon nimmt ebenso viel Raum ein wie die von Tomas, Edit und Sina zusammen, der Einschub über die Tigerpopulation fällt dagegen sehr kurz aus. Da ich Friedas Sicht teils als unprofessionell empfand, war diese Gewichtung für mich unbefriedigend. Für einen ohnehin verschachtelten Plot mit mehreren Schauplätzen und sich wiederholenden Familienkonstellationen fand ich auch die zum Ende zunehmenden Szenenwechsel irritierend. Im Ausdruck nicht ohne Pathos ist „Tiger“ ein bewegender Roman, der erst langsam Fahrt aufnimmt.
3 1/2 von 5 Sternen
Udehe begehrt Edit gegen die ihr zugedachte Rolle auf. In einem kleinen Zoo in Devon tritt derweil Frieda Bloom eine neue Stelle an und begegnet dabei einer Sibirischen Tigerin, die in genau dieser Region gefangen worden sein muss. Frieda, äußerlich gezeichnet nach einer schweren Kopfverletzung, hat ihre Stelle als Primatenforscherin verloren und gerät im Torbet Zoo mitten in den komplizierten Vater-Sohn-Konflikt der Zoo-Besitzer-Familie. Ob sie wirklich geeignet ist, als Anfängerin im Raubtier-Revier ein gestresstes Tier zu betreuen, scheint in der Situation nebensächlich. Gesundheitlich ein Wrack, erzählt Frieda aus der Ichperspektive. Allein durch ihre Ausdrucksweise hinterlässt sie einen wenig kompetenten Eindruck; denn sie rutscht mehrfach aus der professionellen Distanz der Wissenschaftlerin und bewertet Tierverhalten moralisch, anstatt es zu beschreiben. Auch zwischen Tomas und Iwan köchelt seit langem ein Konflikt. Vater und Sohn können das Camp nicht miteinander und nicht ohne einander betreiben. Tomas als erfahrener Fährtenleser kann nicht ohne den gerissenen Geschäftssinn seines Vaters existieren, der das Camp der beiden unbedingt bei einem Vertrauten Putins ins rechte Licht setzen will. Umgekehrt gilt das ebenso für Iwan. Auf dieser Basis bricht Tomas in die winterliche Taiga auf, wo er auf Edit trifft, die Frau aus dem Udehe-Volk, die dort inzwischen allein mit ihrer kleinen Tochter Sina lebt. Auch zwischen Mutter und Tochter zeichnete sich ein Konflikt ab, weil das zehnjährige Naturkind sich nicht länger von anderen Menschen fernhalten will und Edits Kräfte sichtlich schwinden.
In verschachtelten Rückblenden blättert Polly Clark die Beziehungen zwischen den beteiligten Menschen auf und erzählt von der Tigerpopulation der Amur-Region. Irritierend fand ich den unterschiedlichen Raum, den die Autorin ihre Figuren einnehmen lässt. Vom Unwichtigen zum Wichtigen gestaffelt schienen die Abschnitte zunehmend kürzer auszufallen und die Rückblenden zuzunehmen. Friedas Vorgeschichte in London und Devon nimmt ebenso viel Raum ein wie die von Tomas, Edit und Sina zusammen, der Einschub über die Tigerpopulation fällt dagegen sehr kurz aus. Da ich Friedas Sicht teils als unprofessionell empfand, war diese Gewichtung für mich unbefriedigend. Für einen ohnehin verschachtelten Plot mit mehreren Schauplätzen und sich wiederholenden Familienkonstellationen fand ich auch die zum Ende zunehmenden Szenenwechsel irritierend. Im Ausdruck nicht ohne Pathos ist „Tiger“ ein bewegender Roman, der erst langsam Fahrt aufnimmt.
3 1/2 von 5 Sternen
May 16, 2021
1.5 STARS
This was so disappointing! I really enjoyed Freida’s POV, and because we started with that, I thought we would continue at that pace throughout the book. Unfortunately though we swapped to much more boring and uninteresting perspectives.
This was so disappointing! I really enjoyed Freida’s POV, and because we started with that, I thought we would continue at that pace throughout the book. Unfortunately though we swapped to much more boring and uninteresting perspectives.
May 7, 2019
I adored this book! I eagerly anticipated it after reading Polly Clark’s wonderful debut novel “Larchfield”. Larchfield boldly dealt with maternal mental health, loneliness and reimagined WH Auden’s life, when gay love was illegal. Well, Tiger was just as brilliant!
.
This stunning novel follows the narratives of traumatised zookeeper Frieda, brittle and weary Russian conservationist Tomas and fiercely independent mother Edit, who ekes out an existence in the wilderness. At the end, there is a poignant fourth narrative, that of the magnificent, soulful Siberian tiger, whose story weaves their experiences together.
.
So many themes are deftly explored: grief, marginalisation, loneliness, addiction, motherhood, hierarchy and empowerment. But essentially this is a story of how people can come back from brokenness and despair. It is also about the majesty, wonder and truth of nature, and how its cycles and mysterious workings can provide hope and symbolise redemption.
.
I just loved how this book was written- it was lyrical, magical and visceral. I also found it fascinating to read how Polly Clark researched this novel by visiting the Amur region, and that she “encountered human toughness and ingenuity that matched the tiger’s and understood how interdependence is essential to their survival.” The meticulous detail has made it a very transportive and immersive read - when I read the last page I was both satisfied and yet very sad to have come to the end of this epic book.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
.
Thank you to Polly Clark, Ana McLaughlin and Quercus books for this gifted copy.
.
This stunning novel follows the narratives of traumatised zookeeper Frieda, brittle and weary Russian conservationist Tomas and fiercely independent mother Edit, who ekes out an existence in the wilderness. At the end, there is a poignant fourth narrative, that of the magnificent, soulful Siberian tiger, whose story weaves their experiences together.
.
So many themes are deftly explored: grief, marginalisation, loneliness, addiction, motherhood, hierarchy and empowerment. But essentially this is a story of how people can come back from brokenness and despair. It is also about the majesty, wonder and truth of nature, and how its cycles and mysterious workings can provide hope and symbolise redemption.
.
I just loved how this book was written- it was lyrical, magical and visceral. I also found it fascinating to read how Polly Clark researched this novel by visiting the Amur region, and that she “encountered human toughness and ingenuity that matched the tiger’s and understood how interdependence is essential to their survival.” The meticulous detail has made it a very transportive and immersive read - when I read the last page I was both satisfied and yet very sad to have come to the end of this epic book.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
.
Thank you to Polly Clark, Ana McLaughlin and Quercus books for this gifted copy.
May 3, 2019
One of the best things about books is the journey they take you on, through the power of storytelling you can visit different countries and see the world through the eyes of others, man and animal – and it’s truly an amazing experience. When I read the blurb for Tiger, I really liked the sound of it because I love reading about wild animals; this novel exceeded all my expectations. Do you ever finish a novel, and immediately know it’s one you’ll reread in the future? Tiger is that novel for me.
It opens with Frieda’s story, and, bloody hell, I was invested from the offset, not necessary because of Frieda’s story (although it’s an interesting one), but the way Clark told it, her literary style really drew me in. And this tale was weaved together expertly, the paths of these characters crossed in a way that shows the thought that went into the plotting. The characters in this novel were flawed in their own way, and every time the narrative shifted and we got to know a new character, I was equally invested; the changing narratives really helped this novel come full circle.
As the title states, the ultimate lure to this novel, was the tiger, and yes, she has a perspective too! And it was fantastic, one I was so invested in, it’s so gripping [to me] to read about the lives of wild animals, their survival techniques and how they care for their young, it fascinates me. Clark really penned an immersive tale, you’re transported to the location of each character; the cold landscapes particularly added to the overall atmosphere, intensifying the reading experience.
I really enjoyed the literary storytelling, the changing narratives, the authenticity. But, also the tender heart of this novel, the quiet emotional aspect that runs through it – the display of familial relationships (human and animal), and the ability to piece your world back together when it has been shattered.
*My thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book*
It opens with Frieda’s story, and, bloody hell, I was invested from the offset, not necessary because of Frieda’s story (although it’s an interesting one), but the way Clark told it, her literary style really drew me in. And this tale was weaved together expertly, the paths of these characters crossed in a way that shows the thought that went into the plotting. The characters in this novel were flawed in their own way, and every time the narrative shifted and we got to know a new character, I was equally invested; the changing narratives really helped this novel come full circle.
As the title states, the ultimate lure to this novel, was the tiger, and yes, she has a perspective too! And it was fantastic, one I was so invested in, it’s so gripping [to me] to read about the lives of wild animals, their survival techniques and how they care for their young, it fascinates me. Clark really penned an immersive tale, you’re transported to the location of each character; the cold landscapes particularly added to the overall atmosphere, intensifying the reading experience.
I really enjoyed the literary storytelling, the changing narratives, the authenticity. But, also the tender heart of this novel, the quiet emotional aspect that runs through it – the display of familial relationships (human and animal), and the ability to piece your world back together when it has been shattered.
*My thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book*
July 8, 2020
„Тигър“ е роман, който те поглъща и те завладява с магията на дивото. До последната страница не можеш да спреш да възхищаваш на хубавия стил на писане, на реалните истории, на величието на тези животни, които след прочитането на книгата мисля, че вече разбирам.
Роман, който намери място в моето сърце и скоро сигурно няма да забравя тази необикновена и страстна история.
Поли Кларк е толкова добър разказвач, че ме накара да заобичам тигрите. Цялата книга е написана по един магичен начин, като е изпълнена както с почит пред страховитото и красиво същество, така и с лични истории, които докосват душата ти. Толкова красиви думи е използвала в цялата книга, толкова прекрасни изречения, че няма как да не се изпита едно огромно удоволствие от четенето.
Благодарение на авторката ние влизаме в главата на тези животни. Разбираме как разсъждават, защо ги наричат „царете на гората“ и защо не трябва да посягаме към нещо, което те притежават. Тигрите в книгата ни учат на смелост, доблест, чест. На това, че дори когато се чувстваме най-зле не трябва да се предаваме, а винаги трябва да се борим докрай, с оголени зъби срещу нещастията.
Повече може да прочетете тук ===> http://bookadventureclub.blogspot.com...
Роман, който намери място в моето сърце и скоро сигурно няма да забравя тази необикновена и страстна история.
Поли Кларк е толкова добър разказвач, че ме накара да заобичам тигрите. Цялата книга е написана по един магичен начин, като е изпълнена както с почит пред страховитото и красиво същество, така и с лични истории, които докосват душата ти. Толкова красиви думи е използвала в цялата книга, толкова прекрасни изречения, че няма как да не се изпита едно огромно удоволствие от четенето.
Благодарение на авторката ние влизаме в главата на тези животни. Разбираме как разсъждават, защо ги наричат „царете на гората“ и защо не трябва да посягаме към нещо, което те притежават. Тигрите в книгата ни учат на смелост, доблест, чест. На това, че дори когато се чувстваме най-зле не трябва да се предаваме, а винаги трябва да се борим докрай, с оголени зъби срещу нещастията.
Повече може да прочетете тук ===> http://bookadventureclub.blogspot.com...
April 4, 2020
Има книги, които пробуждат любопитството ми от момента, в който ги зърна. „Тигър“ на Поли Кларк е точно от тези книги – омагьоса ме още с корицата си, а след това и с обещанието си. Обещание, че ще ми представи нещо, което не съм чела досега. И то по тема, която силно ме вълнува. Всичко това, още далеч преди да се сдобия с нея.
„Тигър“ е роман от т.н. клай-фай жанр, който става особено популярен напоследък. Идва от climate-change fiction – промените в климата и случващото се с околната среда започват да вълнуват все повече хора. Тук в основата е амурският (сибирски) тигър и проблемът с намалялата до приблизително 500 екземпляра популация в дивата природа. Амурският тигър, царят на гората, е едно от богатствата на тайгата, на сибирската пустош. Загубата му би била ужасяваща – това е най-големият представител на семейство котки, най-величествения хищник. За щастие, в момента има програми, които работят за разрастването на популациите на амурския тигър. Има надежда.
Поли Кларк ни разказва една впечатляваща, емоционална, трогателна история за няколко човеци и няколко тигъра и как съдбите им се преплитат.
Фрида страда от брутален посттравматичен стрес, който се опитва да пребори с откраднат морфин. Разкритието, че не само краде морфин от института, в който изследват маймуни бонобо, където тя работи, но и се боцка по време на работа, я лишава от всичко познато в живота й, от всичко, което някога е искала. Вместо това се озовава на работа в зоопарк – работа, която не желае и където се чувства самотна. Докато в новопостроеното заграждение за тигри не пристига Луна.
Томас е мъж, който няма много неща в живота си, за които да се грижи. Работи в резервата на баща си в Сибир и цял живот следва неговата мечта. Мечта, заради която изоставя всичко. Остават му само гората и дивата пустош… и тигрите, за които да се грижи. Тигрите, които накрая придават смисъл на съществуването му.
Едит е смела и борбена жена, която загърбва сигурния живот в селото, където живее с мъжа си, и тръгва на път с малката си дъщеричка. Двете се озовават в колиба в гората, където изграждат новия си живот и оцеляват заедно, заобиколени от сняг, дивеч и тигри, взаимно живеещи в хармония… докато студът и гладът нарушат тази хармония.
Трите сюжетни линии се преплитат, пряко свързани една с друга. Фрида, Томас и Едит се оказват обвързани с тигрите по различен начин. Трима напълно различни души, от различни краища на света, се оказват пряко намесени в съдбата на една величествена династия, чиито територии хората нарушават. Някои тигри биват убити, други се озовават в плен. Но има и такива, които, родени в пленничество, се озовават накрая пак в дивото, където принадлежат.
Романът на Поли Кларк е многопластов и надскача проблемът, свързан с намалялата популация на амурския тигър. Той засяга проблеми, свързани с феминизма, посттравматичния стрес, самотата, предпочитането й пред онова, което може да те застигне в противен случай. „Тигър“ задържа вниманието от първата до последната страница. Текстът се лее гладко, докато в същото време думите подтикват към размисъл и разпалват любопитството за онова, което предстои.
„Тигър“ е роман от т.н. клай-фай жанр, който става особено популярен напоследък. Идва от climate-change fiction – промените в климата и случващото се с околната среда започват да вълнуват все повече хора. Тук в основата е амурският (сибирски) тигър и проблемът с намалялата до приблизително 500 екземпляра популация в дивата природа. Амурският тигър, царят на гората, е едно от богатствата на тайгата, на сибирската пустош. Загубата му би била ужасяваща – това е най-големият представител на семейство котки, най-величествения хищник. За щастие, в момента има програми, които работят за разрастването на популациите на амурския тигър. Има надежда.
Поли Кларк ни разказва една впечатляваща, емоционална, трогателна история за няколко човеци и няколко тигъра и как съдбите им се преплитат.
Фрида страда от брутален посттравматичен стрес, който се опитва да пребори с откраднат морфин. Разкритието, че не само краде морфин от института, в който изследват маймуни бонобо, където тя работи, но и се боцка по време на работа, я лишава от всичко познато в живота й, от всичко, което някога е искала. Вместо това се озовава на работа в зоопарк – работа, която не желае и където се чувства самотна. Докато в новопостроеното заграждение за тигри не пристига Луна.
Томас е мъж, който няма много неща в живота си, за които да се грижи. Работи в резервата на баща си в Сибир и цял живот следва неговата мечта. Мечта, заради която изоставя всичко. Остават му само гората и дивата пустош… и тигрите, за които да се грижи. Тигрите, които накрая придават смисъл на съществуването му.
Едит е смела и борбена жена, която загърбва сигурния живот в селото, където живее с мъжа си, и тръгва на път с малката си дъщеричка. Двете се озовават в колиба в гората, където изграждат новия си живот и оцеляват заедно, заобиколени от сняг, дивеч и тигри, взаимно живеещи в хармония… докато студът и гладът нарушат тази хармония.
Трите сюжетни линии се преплитат, пряко свързани една с друга. Фрида, Томас и Едит се оказват обвързани с тигрите по различен начин. Трима напълно различни души, от различни краища на света, се оказват пряко намесени в съдбата на една величествена династия, чиито територии хората нарушават. Някои тигри биват убити, други се озовават в плен. Но има и такива, които, родени в пленничество, се озовават накрая пак в дивото, където принадлежат.
Романът на Поли Кларк е многопластов и надскача проблемът, свързан с намалялата популация на амурския тигър. Той засяга проблеми, свързани с феминизма, посттравматичния стрес, самотата, предпочитането й пред онова, което може да те застигне в противен случай. „Тигър“ задържа вниманието от първата до последната страница. Текстът се лее гладко, докато в същото време думите подтикват към размисъл и разпалват любопитството за онова, което предстои.
March 14, 2024
I was fully engaged with the 150 or so pages of Part I, which is narrated by Dr Frieda Bloom, a zookeeper knowledgeable about and fascinated by bonobos. She’s also a morphine addict who continues to justify using at work (not to mention stealing from the veterinary supplies) until she is caught and fired. It’s all in response to a random act of violence: a man attacked her outside a Tube station late one night and she was lucky to have survived the head injury. In ignominy, she moves from a prestigious research institute to a rundown local zoo where the star new acquisition is an injured tiger named Luna. She develops an amazing rapport with Luna, even spending time in the enclosure with her. Meanwhile, the macho behaviour of her colleague Gabriel makes it seem like Frieda could be a victim again at any time.
But then we jump back in time and to the Russian taiga to meet, through third-person segments, a conservationist who hears about a mighty Siberian tigress, and a mother and daughter who encounter her for themselves. This turns out to be “the Countess,” Luna’s mother, and Frieda, a few years on now, travels to Russia herself to bring back one of Luna’s cubs. The focus, as the title signals, is on the tiger herself, but my interest was only ever in Frieda, and it was a little confusing how quickly she switches allegiance from primates to tigers. More first-person narration might have kept me engaged, or maybe a different order to the sections? Anything to keep me latching onto Frieda and missing her for most of the book.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
But then we jump back in time and to the Russian taiga to meet, through third-person segments, a conservationist who hears about a mighty Siberian tigress, and a mother and daughter who encounter her for themselves. This turns out to be “the Countess,” Luna’s mother, and Frieda, a few years on now, travels to Russia herself to bring back one of Luna’s cubs. The focus, as the title signals, is on the tiger herself, but my interest was only ever in Frieda, and it was a little confusing how quickly she switches allegiance from primates to tigers. More first-person narration might have kept me engaged, or maybe a different order to the sections? Anything to keep me latching onto Frieda and missing her for most of the book.
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
July 28, 2022
The story in this book has four focal points, Frieda is a primatologist who has an amazing talent with Bonobo’s, but has her entire world shatter along with her head following an attack on the way home. She is fortunate to get another job at a private zoo, and her new charge is a beautiful and wild Siberian Tiger.
This cub came from the wilds of Siberia, and the second story concerns Tomas and his father and the men that work with them monitoring the tigers that wander their vast landscapes. In this wilderness are a mother and a daughter who are eking out a living on the scares foods that are available, until one day they attract the attention of a female Siberian Tiger. The final story is from this tiger’s perspective as she brings up her cubs in one of the most hostile environments on this planet.
I liked lots of things about this book; I liked the way the four separate stories linked and the way that she brought them all together at the end and I liked the way that the final story was written from the perspective of the tiger. The flawed characters were great and added the necessary drama to the plot, but I did have the odd issue with it though, in particular a couple of scenes that came across as utterly implausible. But they were minor really, the part that shines throughout each of the stories is the magnificent Siberia Tiger.
This cub came from the wilds of Siberia, and the second story concerns Tomas and his father and the men that work with them monitoring the tigers that wander their vast landscapes. In this wilderness are a mother and a daughter who are eking out a living on the scares foods that are available, until one day they attract the attention of a female Siberian Tiger. The final story is from this tiger’s perspective as she brings up her cubs in one of the most hostile environments on this planet.
I liked lots of things about this book; I liked the way the four separate stories linked and the way that she brought them all together at the end and I liked the way that the final story was written from the perspective of the tiger. The flawed characters were great and added the necessary drama to the plot, but I did have the odd issue with it though, in particular a couple of scenes that came across as utterly implausible. But they were minor really, the part that shines throughout each of the stories is the magnificent Siberia Tiger.
June 11, 2019
Tiger for me is an example how a novel can be a hit with some readers, and a did not finish for others.
Unfortunately, I found myself in the latter group, whilst I did finish the novel, it left me feeling strangely unsatisfied at the end.
Tiger explores poaching, wild animals being kept in captivity and our relationship with the wild. Whilst the novel tries to thread these threads together with a novel, it just falls flat.
Frieda is a primatologist, suffering from PTSD after a severe assault. After losing her job she goes to work in a family run zoo, helping with the arrival of a female tiger. We are undertaken on a journey through Frieda’s morphine addiction, her struggles with recovery, settling in her new job and the preparations for the arrival of a new tiger.
We are then taken from a small family zoo in the UK to the Siberian Taiga. On the way we follow the viewpoints from Tomas a Russian conservationist and Edit a huntress. And the Siberian Tiger’s viewpoint herself. Whilst I found Tomas and Edit’s viewpoints more interesting I could not relate to any of the characters and the novel fell flat for me.
Unfortunately, I found myself in the latter group, whilst I did finish the novel, it left me feeling strangely unsatisfied at the end.
Tiger explores poaching, wild animals being kept in captivity and our relationship with the wild. Whilst the novel tries to thread these threads together with a novel, it just falls flat.
Frieda is a primatologist, suffering from PTSD after a severe assault. After losing her job she goes to work in a family run zoo, helping with the arrival of a female tiger. We are undertaken on a journey through Frieda’s morphine addiction, her struggles with recovery, settling in her new job and the preparations for the arrival of a new tiger.
We are then taken from a small family zoo in the UK to the Siberian Taiga. On the way we follow the viewpoints from Tomas a Russian conservationist and Edit a huntress. And the Siberian Tiger’s viewpoint herself. Whilst I found Tomas and Edit’s viewpoints more interesting I could not relate to any of the characters and the novel fell flat for me.
December 3, 2020
Prachtig, betoverend <3
May 5, 2019
Tiger is a literary masterpiece told in four parts, bringing together the stories of 3 humans and a tiger.
In Part 1 we follow Frieda who is a primatologist studying the bonobo ape at a research institute. After a violent attack that leaves her near death, on return to the Institute she finds herself addicted to morphine and looses her position. Her old boss manages to find her a job working with primates at Torbet Zoo just as they prepare to welcome a magnificent Siberian tiger, in the hope of starting a mating program.
Part 2 centres around Tomas, a Russian conservationist deep in the Siberian taiga. The King tiger has been killed by poachers and a spectacular tigress known as the Countess is now prowling his vast territory along with her two cubs. On learning that a senior government official is to visit their reserve, Tomas is sent into the taiga to get footage of the Countess and her cubs to show the official on his arrival in the hope of getting President Putin's approval.
Part 3 is about a native mother and daughter (Edit and Zia) who have made a life for themselves for over 10 years in the treacherous wilderness. The Undeghe people tell stories of how the tiger will punish every infraction. When the huntress crosses paths with the tigress, vengeance must follow.
Part 4 offers a glimpse into the life of the Countess herself, describing how she survives in the bleak conditions when a harsh winter leaves her with little food for her and her cubs.
I didn't really know what to expect from this, having not read Clark's previous novel Larchfield. I must admit I was simply drawn at first to the absolutely stunning cover with it's gold foil (I am pretty shallow, don't judge me!). This was an amazing book - I loved the stories individually and how the threads of the different viewpoints all came together so perfectly.
Beautifully written, I loved all the research that obviously went into writing this. I love a good story and if I can take something away from a book that I have learnt then even better. I must confess that I hadn't really given tigers much thought before, having admired them in zoos, but never really thinking that deeply about them. And I thought tigers generally lived in Africa - I had no idea there were tigers in Russia. The star of this book, the Siberian tiger is the biggest and most ferocious of all the big cats. They are well known for their long memories and ruthless pursuit of any infraction which is both fascinating and terrifying!
I read a lot of this book with my heart in my mouth - I loved how everyone who came into contact with the tigers respected and admired them. Each scene in the tigers natural habitat is richly atmospheric and filled with wonderfully detailed observations. With themes of relationships between mothers and daughters, this is an accomplished and fascinating novel which easily earns 5 stars from me!
With thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book - this review is my own thoughts.
In Part 1 we follow Frieda who is a primatologist studying the bonobo ape at a research institute. After a violent attack that leaves her near death, on return to the Institute she finds herself addicted to morphine and looses her position. Her old boss manages to find her a job working with primates at Torbet Zoo just as they prepare to welcome a magnificent Siberian tiger, in the hope of starting a mating program.
Part 2 centres around Tomas, a Russian conservationist deep in the Siberian taiga. The King tiger has been killed by poachers and a spectacular tigress known as the Countess is now prowling his vast territory along with her two cubs. On learning that a senior government official is to visit their reserve, Tomas is sent into the taiga to get footage of the Countess and her cubs to show the official on his arrival in the hope of getting President Putin's approval.
Part 3 is about a native mother and daughter (Edit and Zia) who have made a life for themselves for over 10 years in the treacherous wilderness. The Undeghe people tell stories of how the tiger will punish every infraction. When the huntress crosses paths with the tigress, vengeance must follow.
Part 4 offers a glimpse into the life of the Countess herself, describing how she survives in the bleak conditions when a harsh winter leaves her with little food for her and her cubs.
I didn't really know what to expect from this, having not read Clark's previous novel Larchfield. I must admit I was simply drawn at first to the absolutely stunning cover with it's gold foil (I am pretty shallow, don't judge me!). This was an amazing book - I loved the stories individually and how the threads of the different viewpoints all came together so perfectly.
Beautifully written, I loved all the research that obviously went into writing this. I love a good story and if I can take something away from a book that I have learnt then even better. I must confess that I hadn't really given tigers much thought before, having admired them in zoos, but never really thinking that deeply about them. And I thought tigers generally lived in Africa - I had no idea there were tigers in Russia. The star of this book, the Siberian tiger is the biggest and most ferocious of all the big cats. They are well known for their long memories and ruthless pursuit of any infraction which is both fascinating and terrifying!
I read a lot of this book with my heart in my mouth - I loved how everyone who came into contact with the tigers respected and admired them. Each scene in the tigers natural habitat is richly atmospheric and filled with wonderfully detailed observations. With themes of relationships between mothers and daughters, this is an accomplished and fascinating novel which easily earns 5 stars from me!
With thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book - this review is my own thoughts.
July 18, 2019
Uiteindelijk vond ik dit een prachtig boek. Het begon een beetje stroef en een heel klein beetje larmoyant. Frieda Bloom doet onderzoekswerk bij bonobo's, vooral naar hun emoties. Zelf zit ze behoorlijk in de knoop. Na een overval in een tunnel, waarbij iemand haar keihard op haar hoofd heeft geslagen, raakt ze verslaafd aan morfine. Ze wordt ontslagen bij het onderzoeksinstituut, maar vindt viavia een baantje bij een kleine dierentuin. Daar wordt op een dag een magere, zieke Siberische tijgerin binnengebracht. Het doel is dat ze zich zal voortplanten met de tijger die daar al zit.
Dan gaan we naar de Russiche Taiga, waar Putin inmiddels heeft uitgesproken dat hij belang hecht aan het behoud van de tijger. Daarom wil Ivan, in plaats van bomenomhakker, tijgerconservator worden. Zoon Tomas moet het echte werk voor hem opknappen.
Daarna maken we kennis met Edit, zij is nog van de inheemse bevolking (Udeghe, in het Nederlands officieel Oedegeïers). Nadat haar huwelijk met een Russische man stukloopt, trekt zij met dochtertje Zina de wildernis is, en weet daar jarenlang te overleven.
Ik vind het altijd wel lastig als een roman van het ene naar het andere personage springt, je hebt je net gehecht aan iemand en dan laat je hem of haar achter, en je moet maar hopen dat de verhaallijnen iets met elkaar te maken hebben. Gelukkig komen ze in dit boek uiteindelijk prachtig samen.
Polly Clark is dichteres, dat is te merken aan haar stijl, die soms bijna té poëtisch is, met té veel vergelijkingen. Er zijn een paar scènes die tegen het melodramatische aanschurken.
Maar aan de andere kant is het zo'n rijk boek! Ik vind het altijd heerlijk als je door een boek iets te weten komt waar je voordien niets van wist, en dan op een manier alsof je er zelf bij bent, alsof je zelf in een pak van vilt (want die moderne thermo-materialen ritselen veel te veel) door de besneeuwde taiga sluipt. En geschiedenissen van tijgers en mensen zijn allemaal aangrijpend.
Dan gaan we naar de Russiche Taiga, waar Putin inmiddels heeft uitgesproken dat hij belang hecht aan het behoud van de tijger. Daarom wil Ivan, in plaats van bomenomhakker, tijgerconservator worden. Zoon Tomas moet het echte werk voor hem opknappen.
Daarna maken we kennis met Edit, zij is nog van de inheemse bevolking (Udeghe, in het Nederlands officieel Oedegeïers). Nadat haar huwelijk met een Russische man stukloopt, trekt zij met dochtertje Zina de wildernis is, en weet daar jarenlang te overleven.
Ik vind het altijd wel lastig als een roman van het ene naar het andere personage springt, je hebt je net gehecht aan iemand en dan laat je hem of haar achter, en je moet maar hopen dat de verhaallijnen iets met elkaar te maken hebben. Gelukkig komen ze in dit boek uiteindelijk prachtig samen.
Polly Clark is dichteres, dat is te merken aan haar stijl, die soms bijna té poëtisch is, met té veel vergelijkingen. Er zijn een paar scènes die tegen het melodramatische aanschurken.
Maar aan de andere kant is het zo'n rijk boek! Ik vind het altijd heerlijk als je door een boek iets te weten komt waar je voordien niets van wist, en dan op een manier alsof je er zelf bij bent, alsof je zelf in een pak van vilt (want die moderne thermo-materialen ritselen veel te veel) door de besneeuwde taiga sluipt. En geschiedenissen van tijgers en mensen zijn allemaal aangrijpend.
April 5, 2021
Винаги ме е изумявало авторовото самочувствие да описва неща, които не разбира. Пренебрежението към детайла и автентичността.
Повод за тези ми размисли са едни дълбоко национални руски имена и традиции като Томас, Ерик, Марта ... Похапването на нахутена каша и варенето на кафе. Това в Далечния Север, някъде около Хабаровск. Преди 2000г. Добре че се появява генерал Усури.
Мда...
П.С. Става още по-интересно - изгрява образът на удегейката Едит с гъстите къдрици.
Повод за тези ми размисли са едни дълбоко национални руски имена и традиции като Томас, Ерик, Марта ... Похапването на нахутена каша и варенето на кафе. Това в Далечния Север, някъде около Хабаровск. Преди 2000г. Добре че се появява генерал Усури.
Мда...
П.С. Става още по-интересно - изгрява образът на удегейката Едит с гъстите къдрици.
June 6, 2019
This has proved to be big hit with many readers but personally I failed to connect with it, as I didn’t find any of the characters relatable – or even realistic. In 4 parts, linked by a tiger, the story is essentially about the survival of tigers in the wild and in zoos, and the nature of man’s relationship with them. The first part concerns Frieda, a primatologist, who has been injured in a mugging and is now addicted to morphine. Having lost her job as a bonobo researcher she goes to a small zoo where, surprisingly considering her background, she is put in charge of a new arrival, a tiger, where again she makes some questionable decisions, and where she meets a fellow zookeeper called Gabriel, whose own behaviour leaves much to be desired. It’s a relief to get away from them and set off to Siberia, where we meet Tomas, a conservationist, and his team of stereotypical Russians. Then in part 3 we meet an Udeghe woman Edit, who also doesn’t have much luck with a tiger, in this case the Countess, and in part 4 we get a glimpse into the Countess’s own world view. So….lots of interesting stuff about tigers, and you can’t fault the research, but the characterisation of the humans lacked depth, the dialogue is clunky and many of the incidents overblown. I’m surprised at the enthusiasm with which the book has been greeted, and just have to accept that it simply isn’t one for me.
September 23, 2020
4 Sterne
November 6, 2019
I loved this book, utterly gripping, giving new insights into tigerness. By the end I was crying because it was so heartbreaking, but also because I didn’t want the book to end! I particularly loved the evocation of the taiga and her indigenes, her king and countess. The plot structure is absolute genius, the writing is sheer poetry.
May 1, 2019
“Edit wanted, with all her heart, to protect her daughter. She wanted better for Zina than love”
Covering an expanse of over 6.6 million square miles, Russia is the world’s largest country by landmass. It includes nine different time zones and shares land borders with 14 neighboring countries. In the Amur region of the far east, forest wildernesses still exist, although they are always at risk from man’s desire to acquire personal wealth at whatever cost to the environment. Here the largest cat on earth, the Siberian tiger, still survives in his natural state. A king tiger will ruthlessly guard and patrol his territory of up to five hundred square miles, within which his females raise their cubs. It is one of the harshest habitats on earth.
Tiger, by Polly Clark, is an exploration of the cost of freedom. Following a prologue set in the Russian Taiga, where a hunter is trying to kill a tiger for its valuable pelt, the story introduces Frieda, an English academic who is researching the behaviour of captive bonobos. Frieda is a morphine addict, using the drug to help her cope with her fears following a vicious street attack several years ago. Frieda has been stealing the drug from her place of work and using it on the premises. She is about to suffer the consequences.
Disgraced but in need of work, Frieda moves to Devon where a privately run zoo requires a keeper. Here she encounters her first tiger, a lone male that is about to be offered a mate. The zoo has purchased a tigress from a Russian dealer. When it is delivered the creature is not as expected.
The second section of the book is based around Tomas who works on a Russian nature reserve in the Amur region. His father manages the venture and is eager to gain the attention of President Putin, who supports the protection of the wild tigers that roam the area. The reader is offered a view of life in the forest, the dangers encountered, and how changing political beliefs have affected the plunder of resources. Decisions made in Tomas’s past haunt him, and he blames his father for his current, lonely existence.
The third section tells the story of Edit, a young village girl living in the Udeghe region, whose grandfather was the local Shaman until such practices were outlawed by the Russians. She has been raised with the traditional stories and songs in which tigers were considered sacred. She is horrified when the man who hopes to marry her assists in the capture and killing of one of these magnificent beasts. Life, however, must go on and time, inevitably, passes. Edit understands that she must marry and is then expected to bear children. She longs for freedom.
Part four opens from the point of view of the tigers as they struggle to survive a particularly harsh winter. The various threads of the tale are then drawn together. There is poignancy and violence. There is cause and effect.
“The mice had changed the weasel’s story. How miraculous it was that all these journeys […] persisted alongside each other, each to be followed and understood separately. Each traversed its own world, with its own time, yet connected with the others at converging moments.”
In developing the various characters the author demonstrates how any action is rarely as simple as good or evil. Men long for a woman to ease their loneliness. They feel satisfied with themselves that they provide for and protect their family unit. Women desire an autonomy that is often beyond men’s comprehension.
“There wasn’t really a place for female things. Leyland was as trapped as everyone involved with tigers in the language of the masculine ideal – the nobility, courage, majesty, and so on, exhibited by the king.”
Yet this tale is more than some sort of feminist manifesto. The men suffer from cultural and personal expectation as much as the women. Love is longed for by all yet becomes a cage – a means of control requiring the surrender of liberty. There is a cost in accepting such captivity. There is also a cost if such strictures are rejected.
In all life situations there is hunter and there is prey; there is fear and there is a willingness to take risks for the rewards these bring.
The writing is taut and fluid. Subjects are explored with nuance and depth. However flawed the characters, they are drawn with empathy.
A thought provoking, engrossing and majestic read.
Covering an expanse of over 6.6 million square miles, Russia is the world’s largest country by landmass. It includes nine different time zones and shares land borders with 14 neighboring countries. In the Amur region of the far east, forest wildernesses still exist, although they are always at risk from man’s desire to acquire personal wealth at whatever cost to the environment. Here the largest cat on earth, the Siberian tiger, still survives in his natural state. A king tiger will ruthlessly guard and patrol his territory of up to five hundred square miles, within which his females raise their cubs. It is one of the harshest habitats on earth.
Tiger, by Polly Clark, is an exploration of the cost of freedom. Following a prologue set in the Russian Taiga, where a hunter is trying to kill a tiger for its valuable pelt, the story introduces Frieda, an English academic who is researching the behaviour of captive bonobos. Frieda is a morphine addict, using the drug to help her cope with her fears following a vicious street attack several years ago. Frieda has been stealing the drug from her place of work and using it on the premises. She is about to suffer the consequences.
Disgraced but in need of work, Frieda moves to Devon where a privately run zoo requires a keeper. Here she encounters her first tiger, a lone male that is about to be offered a mate. The zoo has purchased a tigress from a Russian dealer. When it is delivered the creature is not as expected.
The second section of the book is based around Tomas who works on a Russian nature reserve in the Amur region. His father manages the venture and is eager to gain the attention of President Putin, who supports the protection of the wild tigers that roam the area. The reader is offered a view of life in the forest, the dangers encountered, and how changing political beliefs have affected the plunder of resources. Decisions made in Tomas’s past haunt him, and he blames his father for his current, lonely existence.
The third section tells the story of Edit, a young village girl living in the Udeghe region, whose grandfather was the local Shaman until such practices were outlawed by the Russians. She has been raised with the traditional stories and songs in which tigers were considered sacred. She is horrified when the man who hopes to marry her assists in the capture and killing of one of these magnificent beasts. Life, however, must go on and time, inevitably, passes. Edit understands that she must marry and is then expected to bear children. She longs for freedom.
Part four opens from the point of view of the tigers as they struggle to survive a particularly harsh winter. The various threads of the tale are then drawn together. There is poignancy and violence. There is cause and effect.
“The mice had changed the weasel’s story. How miraculous it was that all these journeys […] persisted alongside each other, each to be followed and understood separately. Each traversed its own world, with its own time, yet connected with the others at converging moments.”
In developing the various characters the author demonstrates how any action is rarely as simple as good or evil. Men long for a woman to ease their loneliness. They feel satisfied with themselves that they provide for and protect their family unit. Women desire an autonomy that is often beyond men’s comprehension.
“There wasn’t really a place for female things. Leyland was as trapped as everyone involved with tigers in the language of the masculine ideal – the nobility, courage, majesty, and so on, exhibited by the king.”
Yet this tale is more than some sort of feminist manifesto. The men suffer from cultural and personal expectation as much as the women. Love is longed for by all yet becomes a cage – a means of control requiring the surrender of liberty. There is a cost in accepting such captivity. There is also a cost if such strictures are rejected.
In all life situations there is hunter and there is prey; there is fear and there is a willingness to take risks for the rewards these bring.
The writing is taut and fluid. Subjects are explored with nuance and depth. However flawed the characters, they are drawn with empathy.
A thought provoking, engrossing and majestic read.
May 6, 2019
My thanks to Quercus, Riverrun Books for an eARC via NetGalley of Polly Clark’s ‘Tiger‘ in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t surprised to learn that Polly Clark had previously published three poetry collections as I felt that ‘Tiger’ had a lyrical quality to its prose. Due to this I opted to purchase the audiobook edition narrated by Emma Spurgin-Hussey to listen alongside reading and so immerse myself in Clark’s elegant use of language.
While the focus of the novel is a family group of Siberian tigers, it also the story of four humans that become caught up in their story.
The first part of the novel is set in England. After surviving a horrific attack (by a human) Frieda, a primatologist, has become addicted to morphine. After losing her research position working with bonobos she obtains a position at a private zoo in the Devon countryside. Initially she is working with the zoo’s primates but is soon transferred to work with Luna, a rescued Siberian tiger, brought there as a potential mate for Lyric, the zoo’s male tiger.
The rest of the novel is set in the Siberian Taiga. Tomas, a Russian conservationist, is deeply concerned when poachers kill the local king tiger. During the harsh winter one of his mates, the Countess, has taken over patrolling his territory. When Tomas discovers that a Udeghe huntress and her daughter have crossed paths with the tigress and her cub he fears for the safety of all.
There are heartbreaking scenes in this novel though this was crucial to highlight the plight of the Siberian tiger 🐯. These were balanced by scenes that spoke of hope. Strangely I found myself cheering for Vladimir Putin as the text highlights his outstanding support for the conservation of the Siberian tiger bringing them back from the brink of extinction.
On her website Clark provides details of the time she spent with Russian conservationists in the Taiga researching the novel. This certainly accounts for how powerful her depiction of this stark yet beautiful landscape was.
The first section of the novel had a strong personal appeal given it featured bonobos. Before vision problems ended my ability to drive, I volunteered at a zoo and had duties that involved promoting awareness of various primates. I grew to love and appreciate the community of bonobos located there and spent many hours quietly observing these fascinating apes.
I adored Tiger’ and it quickly has become one of my favourites of the year. Given its themes, literary qualities, superb storytelling and vivid depiction of the Taiga, I would expect to see it nominated for upcoming literary prizes. I will certainly be cheering for it.
I know that I will be recommending this unique novel widely including suggesting its inclusion in our County Library’s Reading Group Collection as it has a great deal to offer in terms of discussion material as well as a highly engaging story, setting and memorable characters both human and tigerkind.
I wasn’t surprised to learn that Polly Clark had previously published three poetry collections as I felt that ‘Tiger’ had a lyrical quality to its prose. Due to this I opted to purchase the audiobook edition narrated by Emma Spurgin-Hussey to listen alongside reading and so immerse myself in Clark’s elegant use of language.
While the focus of the novel is a family group of Siberian tigers, it also the story of four humans that become caught up in their story.
The first part of the novel is set in England. After surviving a horrific attack (by a human) Frieda, a primatologist, has become addicted to morphine. After losing her research position working with bonobos she obtains a position at a private zoo in the Devon countryside. Initially she is working with the zoo’s primates but is soon transferred to work with Luna, a rescued Siberian tiger, brought there as a potential mate for Lyric, the zoo’s male tiger.
The rest of the novel is set in the Siberian Taiga. Tomas, a Russian conservationist, is deeply concerned when poachers kill the local king tiger. During the harsh winter one of his mates, the Countess, has taken over patrolling his territory. When Tomas discovers that a Udeghe huntress and her daughter have crossed paths with the tigress and her cub he fears for the safety of all.
There are heartbreaking scenes in this novel though this was crucial to highlight the plight of the Siberian tiger 🐯. These were balanced by scenes that spoke of hope. Strangely I found myself cheering for Vladimir Putin as the text highlights his outstanding support for the conservation of the Siberian tiger bringing them back from the brink of extinction.
On her website Clark provides details of the time she spent with Russian conservationists in the Taiga researching the novel. This certainly accounts for how powerful her depiction of this stark yet beautiful landscape was.
The first section of the novel had a strong personal appeal given it featured bonobos. Before vision problems ended my ability to drive, I volunteered at a zoo and had duties that involved promoting awareness of various primates. I grew to love and appreciate the community of bonobos located there and spent many hours quietly observing these fascinating apes.
I adored Tiger’ and it quickly has become one of my favourites of the year. Given its themes, literary qualities, superb storytelling and vivid depiction of the Taiga, I would expect to see it nominated for upcoming literary prizes. I will certainly be cheering for it.
I know that I will be recommending this unique novel widely including suggesting its inclusion in our County Library’s Reading Group Collection as it has a great deal to offer in terms of discussion material as well as a highly engaging story, setting and memorable characters both human and tigerkind.
September 28, 2019
Wonderfully crafted novel set in SIBERIA
Polly Clark weaves together four different narratives in this powerful and gripping tale. The first focuses on Frieda, a primatologist, who finds it easier to connect with animals than humans. Following a violent and unexplained assault, Frieda takes to morphine to manage and her world falls apart. Forced to leave her job, she starts a new life at Torbet Zoo and begins to be fascinated by their newest arrival, a Siberian tiger. The second narrative takes us to Siberia, where we meet Tomas, a conservationist, who is struggling to preserve the habitat for the largest and most ferocious of the big cats, despite the steadily advancing threat from logging and poaching. Far out in the Siberian forest a mother and daughter struggle to exist. The mother, Edit, comes from the Undeghe people but has left her people and taken her daughter, Zina, to isolation in the forest, in an attempt to save her from exploitation. Edit does, however, pass on the Undeghe beliefs to her daughter – how the tiger will relentlessly hunt down and kill anyone who attempts but fails to kill them. Struggling to survive through one of the harshest winters, it is inevitable that the paths of starving mother and daughter and starving tiger mother and cubs will cross. The final narrative thread takes the reader into the world of the tiger herself.
Tiger gives the reader a story that is engaging, utterly engrossing and mesmerising, but it is so much more. Clark’s exploration of mother/daughter relationships is very thought-provoking – there is much in this novel that makes you stop and ponder, as you are forced, inevitably to compare nature bared down to its basics as lived by Edit and Zina, the lives of the tigers and our own lives. Her characterisation is complex and nothing short of brilliant, but like her exploration of theme not always comfortable. There were times during my reading, particularly those sections focussing on Edit and Zina, when I had to put the book down until I had summoned the courage to continue.
Presumably while researching this book, Polly Clark undertook a research trip to the Russian Far East to learn how to track the Siberian tiger and to observe how Russians and the remaining indigenous people live beside these terrifying creatures. She experienced, first hand, life in the harshest of environments and with only the most basic of amenities. It is little wonder, then, that the setting of this novel is so powerfully evoked. The writer certainly isn’t afraid of giving the reader the gritty reality of life, as lived by those who choose to work in inhospitable environments in order to save nature.
Tiger is powerful, wonderfully crafted and utterly unforgettable. I can truthfully say that I have never read anything like this before.
Polly Clark weaves together four different narratives in this powerful and gripping tale. The first focuses on Frieda, a primatologist, who finds it easier to connect with animals than humans. Following a violent and unexplained assault, Frieda takes to morphine to manage and her world falls apart. Forced to leave her job, she starts a new life at Torbet Zoo and begins to be fascinated by their newest arrival, a Siberian tiger. The second narrative takes us to Siberia, where we meet Tomas, a conservationist, who is struggling to preserve the habitat for the largest and most ferocious of the big cats, despite the steadily advancing threat from logging and poaching. Far out in the Siberian forest a mother and daughter struggle to exist. The mother, Edit, comes from the Undeghe people but has left her people and taken her daughter, Zina, to isolation in the forest, in an attempt to save her from exploitation. Edit does, however, pass on the Undeghe beliefs to her daughter – how the tiger will relentlessly hunt down and kill anyone who attempts but fails to kill them. Struggling to survive through one of the harshest winters, it is inevitable that the paths of starving mother and daughter and starving tiger mother and cubs will cross. The final narrative thread takes the reader into the world of the tiger herself.
Tiger gives the reader a story that is engaging, utterly engrossing and mesmerising, but it is so much more. Clark’s exploration of mother/daughter relationships is very thought-provoking – there is much in this novel that makes you stop and ponder, as you are forced, inevitably to compare nature bared down to its basics as lived by Edit and Zina, the lives of the tigers and our own lives. Her characterisation is complex and nothing short of brilliant, but like her exploration of theme not always comfortable. There were times during my reading, particularly those sections focussing on Edit and Zina, when I had to put the book down until I had summoned the courage to continue.
Presumably while researching this book, Polly Clark undertook a research trip to the Russian Far East to learn how to track the Siberian tiger and to observe how Russians and the remaining indigenous people live beside these terrifying creatures. She experienced, first hand, life in the harshest of environments and with only the most basic of amenities. It is little wonder, then, that the setting of this novel is so powerfully evoked. The writer certainly isn’t afraid of giving the reader the gritty reality of life, as lived by those who choose to work in inhospitable environments in order to save nature.
Tiger is powerful, wonderfully crafted and utterly unforgettable. I can truthfully say that I have never read anything like this before.
July 29, 2019
BookTrail the locations in the novel
Set across two continents, Tiger is set in London and Siberia which transports the reader into a wild environment where tigers rule.
Starting off in England, in a fictional zoo, we meet Frieda who is a primatologist, working with the animals she so loves. A violent attack changes everything and shatters her world. It’s a signal to change her life, move away and start something new. So, she finds a new role in a zoo far away from where she lived before. This is going to again change her life, but in more positive ways and in a way she could never have foreseen. She is there to take care of a tiger cub from Siberia.A huge vast area of land where animals rule and where “humans live on the edge of wilderness”
Meanwhile in the Siberian Taiga, the most remote part of Russia, Tomas, a conservationist there is worried that the animal world is in extreme danger. This is the raw, wild land where the tigers roam but the king tiger has been killed by poachers and so the whole natural order has been shattered. In his place, a tigress now patrols the landscape as her own.
The stories of Frieda, Tomas, and the tigers weave together in a story that brings threads of so many emotions and themes together. Marginalisation, motherhood, hierarchy and environment to name but four. This is a story of how worlds can be broken then repaired, brought back together and formed into something even stronger than before. The stories of animal and human are very similar and this is what fascinated me about the novel. The writing is exquisite and draws you in to a world where the writer talks about animals and humans so you feel and sympathise with both. There’s some deft plotting here and some even more deft and impressive research. This novel takes you places you never expect to go in one novel and it was a fascinating journey.
I think the location of Siberia really made the novel extra special. This is not somewhere we know much about. I am not familiar with the landscape or the world of tigers, but the author took me there and I was astounded, fascinated and enthralled in equal measure.
How similar we are when you really think about it. How we think and react about home, love, loneliness, the threat of losing our home, our young, how to survive….all explored here. Comparing and melting the two worlds of animals and humans together was unexpected and totally captivating.
A stunning novel and so many layers to this Siberian set wonder. The location is the character which brings it all together on a backdrop of impressive scope.
May 7, 2019
Thank you to Quercus Books for gifting me a finished copy of ‘Tiger’ by Polly Clark.
The book is told by four different perspectives, each with their own journey, each with their own vantage point of how they take in situations and circumstances.
The first story is told by Dr. Frieda Bloom, who after losing her job as a primatologist, she finds herself in a zoo in Devon bring deeply immersed in the life of a male tiger.
The second part takes place in Siberia, where we meet Thomas, a Russian conservationist, who is deeply involved in the perseverance of tigers, after a king tiger is killed by poachers.
The third story is focusing on Edit, who is torned between destiny and duty, always guided by the majesty of the wild tiger.
Lastly, the story is told via the tiger’s point of view...and let me stand here with my review and say that this is where Clark’s writing takes on an otherworldly form; this is what differentiates Clark’s prose to other pieces of literature. It felt like I was reading an ode to the wildness of existence.
For me it wasn’t just about what the characters did or said, but how they moved and felt. Clark’s unique ability to capture the unspoken connection between man and beast was remarkable, totally letting the reader immerse themselves into something primal and profound.
This was such a compelling read, that grips you from the begging and offers you a raw insight on the realities of nature and a nearly endangered species.
Pick this up if you love animals. Pick this up if you love nature. Pick this up if you love the wild. Pick this up if you love lyrical prose. But mostly pick this up because it’s a beautiful piece of writing that has a lot to teach you, but most of all it has a lot to make you feel too.
The book is told by four different perspectives, each with their own journey, each with their own vantage point of how they take in situations and circumstances.
The first story is told by Dr. Frieda Bloom, who after losing her job as a primatologist, she finds herself in a zoo in Devon bring deeply immersed in the life of a male tiger.
The second part takes place in Siberia, where we meet Thomas, a Russian conservationist, who is deeply involved in the perseverance of tigers, after a king tiger is killed by poachers.
The third story is focusing on Edit, who is torned between destiny and duty, always guided by the majesty of the wild tiger.
Lastly, the story is told via the tiger’s point of view...and let me stand here with my review and say that this is where Clark’s writing takes on an otherworldly form; this is what differentiates Clark’s prose to other pieces of literature. It felt like I was reading an ode to the wildness of existence.
For me it wasn’t just about what the characters did or said, but how they moved and felt. Clark’s unique ability to capture the unspoken connection between man and beast was remarkable, totally letting the reader immerse themselves into something primal and profound.
This was such a compelling read, that grips you from the begging and offers you a raw insight on the realities of nature and a nearly endangered species.
Pick this up if you love animals. Pick this up if you love nature. Pick this up if you love the wild. Pick this up if you love lyrical prose. But mostly pick this up because it’s a beautiful piece of writing that has a lot to teach you, but most of all it has a lot to make you feel too.
January 23, 2021
This book had ups and downs, after a great beginning mostly downs. I felt that the author was trying too hard to spread the knowledge about tigers she acquired, which lead to a lack of tension and worldbuilding. The characters except Frieda remained faceless and shallow. Overall the story had a great potential, but my excitement for it became lost after Friedas chapter. Maybe you‘ll feel different, then give it a try!
The beginning: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At worst times: ⭐️⭐️ to the point of thinking about breaking up with this book
The beginning: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At worst times: ⭐️⭐️ to the point of thinking about breaking up with this book
Read
May 16, 2024A book received from a subscription service I had in 2020 that has been sitting on the shelf for years. I decided to finally give it a go as a travel book and I ended up engrossed in the story. I found it unexpected, uncomfortable and dark with a hint of sweetness.
January 3, 2021
The sort of book that will drop you into another world: the Russian forest, a private zoo, stalked by a Siberian Tiger. You can taste the snow and the fear.
January 22, 2021
I absolutely adored this book. I cried when I closed it, just because it was so beautiful I didn’t want it to be over. This book showed me things about myself I was afraid to face up to directly and I’m sure I’ll be rereading this story - I suspect more than once!! A true pleasure you simply have to experience; if this book resonates, you won’t be the same after reading it. Just stunning.
January 27, 2021
Starkes Plädoyer für den Erhalt von natürlichen Lebensräumen für Tiger und gegen das Einsperren selbiger! Die urplötzlichen Brüche in der Handlung bremsen allerdings den Erzählfluss etwas.
June 28, 2019
A gripping, beautifully written example of ‘cli-fi’, a genre of fictional stories dealing with the very real environmental issues. Tiger follows Frieda (the addict doctor), Tomas (the smouldering conservationist) and Edit (survivalist, Mother and certified badass) as their lives become inextricably tied to the lives of a specific family of Siberian tigers.
There are strengths to each of the overlapping narratives but this book really finds its stride and the peak of its beautiful prose when we leave the South-West of England and join the tigers in their native habitat which Polly Clark does a stunning job of bringing vividly to life.
The descriptions and perspective of the tigers themselves left me with goosebumps. Powerful, majestic, unpredictable and dangerous. These are the creatures as narrated to us by David Attenborough but without the dangerous, sharper edges sanded down for the comfort of a Sunday night viewer.
Emotive, compelling and gripping. I think the start could have been a little stronger and the manner in which the various threads were brought together at the end felt a little rushed but otherwise a fantastic book. Highly recommend - 4.5 🌟 from me.
Pretty sure I bought the physical copy myself but a big thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for providing me with a free electronic copy so I was able to read this on holiday.
There are strengths to each of the overlapping narratives but this book really finds its stride and the peak of its beautiful prose when we leave the South-West of England and join the tigers in their native habitat which Polly Clark does a stunning job of bringing vividly to life.
The descriptions and perspective of the tigers themselves left me with goosebumps. Powerful, majestic, unpredictable and dangerous. These are the creatures as narrated to us by David Attenborough but without the dangerous, sharper edges sanded down for the comfort of a Sunday night viewer.
Emotive, compelling and gripping. I think the start could have been a little stronger and the manner in which the various threads were brought together at the end felt a little rushed but otherwise a fantastic book. Highly recommend - 4.5 🌟 from me.
Pretty sure I bought the physical copy myself but a big thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for providing me with a free electronic copy so I was able to read this on holiday.
July 23, 2019
DNF. It had lovely descriptions but I just left it too long between picking it up. The characters just didnt grab me and I wasnt really invested in the book.
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