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Halic: The Story of a Grey Seal
Traces the life cycle of a gray seal living in the coastal waters of Wales.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
42 people want to read
About the author
Ewan Clarkson
36 books3 followersClarkson was born in Workington on 23 January 1929. He was educated at Altrincham Grammar School and served in the Royal Army Medical Corps between 1947-49.
His first book was Break for Freedom, also published in the United States as Syla, the Mink (1968), telling the story of a mink escaping from a fur farm in Devon, and showing the influence of Henry Williamson's stories about Devon wildlife. Clarkson gave a particular focus to the impact of man's activities on nature, a theme he developed in subsequent works, following Break for Freedom with Halic, the Story of a Grey Seal in 1970, and a number of other novels and non-fiction wildlife books. He was an early critic of the use of pesticides and several of his works explore the negative effects on the environment of intensive farming methods.
Clarkson's books often appeared on both adults' and children's lists, and he stated that education was one of the main purposes of his writing. Clarkson also wrote several books on animals aimed specifically at younger children, as well as many magazine articles about angling: an accomplished fisherman, he was regarded as a pioneer of saltwater fly fishing techniques.
Clarkson, who lived in Newton Abbot, died on 19 April 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
His first book was Break for Freedom, also published in the United States as Syla, the Mink (1968), telling the story of a mink escaping from a fur farm in Devon, and showing the influence of Henry Williamson's stories about Devon wildlife. Clarkson gave a particular focus to the impact of man's activities on nature, a theme he developed in subsequent works, following Break for Freedom with Halic, the Story of a Grey Seal in 1970, and a number of other novels and non-fiction wildlife books. He was an early critic of the use of pesticides and several of his works explore the negative effects on the environment of intensive farming methods.
Clarkson's books often appeared on both adults' and children's lists, and he stated that education was one of the main purposes of his writing. Clarkson also wrote several books on animals aimed specifically at younger children, as well as many magazine articles about angling: an accomplished fisherman, he was regarded as a pioneer of saltwater fly fishing techniques.
Clarkson, who lived in Newton Abbot, died on 19 April 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 11, 2017
Ewan Clarkson was an author who specialised in writing books about nature and its wild creatures. A theme running through his books was the impact of man on on wildlife and nature, something he felt strongly about. In 'The Badgers of Summercombe' for example he writes not only about badgers but also man's cruelty to these animals... capturing them for sport. 'The story of Halic the Grey Seal' is beautifully written and will appeal to lovers of nature. Separated at birth from his Mother, Halic must fend for himself and learn so much that normally his Mother would have taught him. The book gives us a vivid description of his life alone in the Atlantic Ocean and the many dangers he faces. I liked this book a lot.
April 21, 2019
A very beautiful little book I have just read again after having it on my shelf for 16 years. I certainly will not wait that many years to enjoy it for a third time.
November 13, 2014
Written in very informative way, with great attention to detail. This was the first and, thus far, the only novel following the life of a marine mammal that I've read. Granted, this may have increased my enjoyment of the book - it was something new, something I had yet to experience in a work of literature. Nonetheless, one can only appreciate how well the author's knowledge of marine life and environment shines through in the story.
My only complaint would be that it was sometimes a tad boring. The pacing seemed off, the story not moving forward, though it is possible this is all part of the realism of the book. Life tends to paddle in place sometimes, be you man or animal.
It may even be a well calculated strategy: danger and action after danger and action becomes stale, should the action not go up a notch continuously. With boring, slow paced parts thrown in, the next attack of the killer whale seems as exciting as ever.
Whatever the function of these slow parts, if there is any, the pacing could have used more work.
A good read for anyone who enjoys reading about wild animals in their natural habitat.
My only complaint would be that it was sometimes a tad boring. The pacing seemed off, the story not moving forward, though it is possible this is all part of the realism of the book. Life tends to paddle in place sometimes, be you man or animal.
It may even be a well calculated strategy: danger and action after danger and action becomes stale, should the action not go up a notch continuously. With boring, slow paced parts thrown in, the next attack of the killer whale seems as exciting as ever.
Whatever the function of these slow parts, if there is any, the pacing could have used more work.
A good read for anyone who enjoys reading about wild animals in their natural habitat.
August 25, 2019
I love old wildlife novels more than words can express, but I have never read one about an aquatic mammal. Particularly enjoyed the description of all the other sea creatures, rich and descriptive detail mixed in with scientific fact I'd largely forgotten, which on the whole was wonderfully educational. I also like the 70s flair of working in present-day man, putting a mild conservationism spin on it without interrupting the biography.
December 27, 2008
A pretty good story. Not my favorite animal story, but intelligently written.
March 11, 2013
Can be a bore sometimes. Halfway through the book I felt like the storyline wasn't going anywhere but that is wildlife innit? ;)
March 1, 2016
Halic, The Story of a Gray Seal, Ewan Clarkson, RDC-B, #2-71, 1985. Animal story. Okay.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews