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Franky Furbo
W malutkiej włoskiej wiosce William Wiley urzeka swe dzieci opowieściami o Frankym Furbo, lisie o cudownych, nadnaturalnych umiejętnościach, który uratował mu życie w czasie drugiej wojny światowej. Kiedy jego rodzina poddaje w wątpliwość istnienie Franky'ego, Wiliam wyrusza w podróż, by przekonać ją o prawdziwości swoich słów. W trakcie wyprawy odsłania zadziwiającą perspektywę losów ludzkości: od najbardziej zamierzchłych czasów po odległą przyszłość.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
9 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
William Wharton
39 books261 followersWilliam Wharton (7 November 1925 - 29 October 2008), the pen name of the author Albert William Du Aime (pronounced as doo-EM), was an American-born author best known for his first novel Birdy, which was also successful as a film.
Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1943, and was inducted into the school's Wall of Fame in 1997. He volunteered to serve in the United States Army during World War II, and was assigned to serve in a unit to be trained as engineers. He ended up being assigned to serve in the infantry and was severely wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. After his discharge, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles and received a undergraduate degree in art and a doctorate in psychology, later teaching art in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
His first novel Birdy was published in 1978 when he was more than 50 years old. Birdy was a critical and popular success, and Alan Parker directed a film version starring Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine. After the publication of Birdy and through the early 1990s, Du Aime published eight novels, including Dad and A Midnight Clear, both of which were also filmed, the former starring Jack Lemmon.
Many of the protagonists of Wharton's novels, despite having different names and backgrounds, have similar experiences, attitudes, and traits that lead one to presume that they are partly autobiographical[citation needed]. There is precious little certifiable biography available about Wharton / Du Aime. He served in France and Germany in World War II in the 87th Infantry Division, was a painter, spent part of his adult life living on a houseboat as an artist in France, raised several children (not all of whom appreciated his philosophy of child-rearing), is a reasonably skilled carpenter and handyman, and has suffered from profound gastrointestinal problems.
In 1988, Wharton's daughter, Kate; his son-in-law, Bert; and their two children, two-year-old Dayiel and eight-month-old Mia, were killed in a horrific 23-car motor vehicle accident near Albany, Oregon, that was caused by the smoke generated by grass-burning on nearby farmland. In 1995, Wharton wrote a (mostly) non-fiction book, Ever After: A Father's True Story, in which he recounts the incidents leading up to the accident, his family's subsequent grief, and the three years he devoted to pursuing redress in the Oregon court system for the field-burning that caused the accident. Houseboat on Seine, a memoir, was published in 1996, about Wharton's purchase and renovation of a houseboat.
It is worth to be noted that he gained an enormous and very hard to be explained popularity in Poland, which was followed by many editions as well as meetings and, eventually, some works prepared and edited only in Polish.
Wharton died on October 29, 2008 of an infection he contracted while being hospitalized for blood-pressure problems.
Wharton was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1943, and was inducted into the school's Wall of Fame in 1997. He volunteered to serve in the United States Army during World War II, and was assigned to serve in a unit to be trained as engineers. He ended up being assigned to serve in the infantry and was severely wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. After his discharge, he attended the University of California, Los Angeles and received a undergraduate degree in art and a doctorate in psychology, later teaching art in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
His first novel Birdy was published in 1978 when he was more than 50 years old. Birdy was a critical and popular success, and Alan Parker directed a film version starring Nicolas Cage and Matthew Modine. After the publication of Birdy and through the early 1990s, Du Aime published eight novels, including Dad and A Midnight Clear, both of which were also filmed, the former starring Jack Lemmon.
Many of the protagonists of Wharton's novels, despite having different names and backgrounds, have similar experiences, attitudes, and traits that lead one to presume that they are partly autobiographical[citation needed]. There is precious little certifiable biography available about Wharton / Du Aime. He served in France and Germany in World War II in the 87th Infantry Division, was a painter, spent part of his adult life living on a houseboat as an artist in France, raised several children (not all of whom appreciated his philosophy of child-rearing), is a reasonably skilled carpenter and handyman, and has suffered from profound gastrointestinal problems.
In 1988, Wharton's daughter, Kate; his son-in-law, Bert; and their two children, two-year-old Dayiel and eight-month-old Mia, were killed in a horrific 23-car motor vehicle accident near Albany, Oregon, that was caused by the smoke generated by grass-burning on nearby farmland. In 1995, Wharton wrote a (mostly) non-fiction book, Ever After: A Father's True Story, in which he recounts the incidents leading up to the accident, his family's subsequent grief, and the three years he devoted to pursuing redress in the Oregon court system for the field-burning that caused the accident. Houseboat on Seine, a memoir, was published in 1996, about Wharton's purchase and renovation of a houseboat.
It is worth to be noted that he gained an enormous and very hard to be explained popularity in Poland, which was followed by many editions as well as meetings and, eventually, some works prepared and edited only in Polish.
Wharton died on October 29, 2008 of an infection he contracted while being hospitalized for blood-pressure problems.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 12, 2017
Уилям Уортън (Алберт Уилям Дю Айме) споделя, че е разказвал на децата си измислени от него истории, в които герой е бил Франки Фърбо - едно необикновено лисиче.
"Франки Фърбо" е написана след трагичната катастрофа през 1988г, в която загиват дъщерята на писателя, зет му и двете им деца.
Илюзиите вече са неспособни да ни спасят, вярата в човека е загубена. Животните, които считаме за по-нисши същества от нас, всъщност проявяват далеч повече разум. Те не са способни да създадат апокалипсис, не са способни да се избиват за безумни каузи и нечии фалшиви истини.
Уилям Уайли е мъртъв, той е Франки Фърбо.
Уилям Уортън е писателя, който ще пише за лисичия език и ще ни подготви за момента, в който "лисиците" ще управляват света, преди хората да са го унищожили.
Хората имат нужда от това лисиче съзнание, за да се откажат от убийствената надпревара за надмощие "на всяка цена". Да се откажат от онова агресивно съревнование на принципа "целта оправдава средствата".
"Франки Фърбо" е написана след трагичната катастрофа през 1988г, в която загиват дъщерята на писателя, зет му и двете им деца.
Илюзиите вече са неспособни да ни спасят, вярата в човека е загубена. Животните, които считаме за по-нисши същества от нас, всъщност проявяват далеч повече разум. Те не са способни да създадат апокалипсис, не са способни да се избиват за безумни каузи и нечии фалшиви истини.
Уилям Уайли е мъртъв, той е Франки Фърбо.
Уилям Уортън е писателя, който ще пише за лисичия език и ще ни подготви за момента, в който "лисиците" ще управляват света, преди хората да са го унищожили.
Хората имат нужда от това лисиче съзнание, за да се откажат от убийствената надпревара за надмощие "на всяка цена". Да се откажат от онова агресивно съревнование на принципа "целта оправдава средствата".
June 14, 2024
Nie spodziewałam się
December 6, 2008
A story about a magical fox, or a man's hallucinations about a magical fox--or is he real after all? Mainly the story is about the man and his remembrances of the adventures he had with this fox during the war--about his needing to believe and the way it affected his life and family. Light fantasy.
December 25, 2021
I really loved the book. i have never ever read anything like that before. it was magical and mysterious. the plot was amazing as well. i felt like a child reading the best fiction ever:)
February 7, 2017
This book was weird. I can't decide if I love it or hate it and it it already a month since I have finished it. Yet it is easier to comment on it from a distance. I love all books of the author I read so far and while I know that his style is not easy to digest, it requires deep consideration and thinking, I was definitely not prepared for this book. It could be a masterpiece and you could love it if you consider the way the author managed to implement a story inside a story and make it all perfectly logical yet magical and unpredictable to the very end. But I rather happen to be on the other side this time. Not quite my type of book I guess.
August 13, 2014
I'm still not really sure if I loved it or didn't like it. It's one of the weirdest books I've ever read, still I couldn't put it down. Some passages made me cringe but I'm not sure it's only down to my own prejudices. It's most certainly one of the most unexpected stories I've ever read. I'm glad I read it, though. It's easy, interesting and most of all, totally bonkers. Do I recommend it? Well, let's just say it generated a huge turn out at my book club so there's must be something about it.
March 12, 2016
A mutant fox, born in the first half of the 20th century, transmigrated bodily fifty thousand years into the future, brought back to live as William Wiley, a dead young soldier... (Confused? You should be.) All this to ensure the propagation of a new species of intelligent fox which will save the world from rapacious, war-mongering humanity. I can't believe the man who wrote the wonderful novels Birdy and A Midnight Clear could write such a convoluted, contrived, just-plain-silly fantasy novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2014
I believe in Franky Furbo. FOX POWER.
February 3, 2017
Като детска приказка,но за възрастни,чийто смисъл ми убягна...
Едно е ясно-лисиците не са това,което бяха...
Едно е ясно-лисиците не са това,което бяха...
February 1, 2017
Във „Франки Фърбо” писателят Уилям Уортън разказва една нереална история, която може да разбереш само ако повярваш в нейната достоверност.
Кой е Франки Фърбо? А Уилям Уайли? А Вилхем? Кое е истина и кое измислица? Дали това, в което си вярвал цял живот, изведнъж се окаже лъжа, обезсмисля всичко? Или силата на вярата е тази, която има значение?
Книгата трябва да се чете като детска приказка за възрастни, без очаквания за дълбоки философски прозрения. Тя е като игра на ума, като тунел с разклонения, където няма как да се изгубиш, ако приемеш всичко за истина, независимо колко невероятно ти звучи.
Богато въображение, простичък и наивен стил на писане, фантастична история с превъзходно послание:
Понякога единственият начин човек да запази здравия си разум е да вярва в измислици.
А лисиците не са това, което бяха...
И още нещо: книгата е посветена на Кейт –дъщерята на Уилям Уортън .
Посвещението е едно от най-трогателните и превръща книгата за Франки Фърбо в мост между живота и смъртта.
„Посвещавам тази книга на дъщеря ни Кейт, съпруга й Бил и на двете им прекрасни дъщери: Дейел — на две години и Миа — на осем месеца.
Всички те са мъртви. Загинаха на 3 август 1988 г. в 4:00 следобед при ужасна автомобилна катастрофа на магистрала I-5 в долината Уиламет, щата Орегон.
Зловещият инцидент бе предшестван от подпалване на околните стърнища, което е станало с разрешението на местните власти. Въпреки нещастието, при което загинаха седем и бяха ранени трийсет и пет души, а двайсет и четири автомобила бяха унищожени, в Орегон продължават да палят стърнищата с благословията на самия губернатор. Протестите на хората, които живеят в околността, са пренебрегнати заради интересите на по-малко от хиляда фермери, които носят на щата годишен доход от 350 милиона долара, а самите те печелят около 170 милиона.
Първата история за Франки Фърбо съчиних за Кейт преди трийсетина години. През следващите двайсет всяка сутрин разказвах на децата си по една история. Надявах се един ден да ги разказвам и на Дейел и Миа.
Сега благодарение на безочието, недалновидността и алчността на тези фермери, подкрепяни от официалните власти на щата Орегон, това никога няма да стане.
Дори след време да им простим, никога няма да се примирим.”
Кой е Франки Фърбо? А Уилям Уайли? А Вилхем? Кое е истина и кое измислица? Дали това, в което си вярвал цял живот, изведнъж се окаже лъжа, обезсмисля всичко? Или силата на вярата е тази, която има значение?
Книгата трябва да се чете като детска приказка за възрастни, без очаквания за дълбоки философски прозрения. Тя е като игра на ума, като тунел с разклонения, където няма как да се изгубиш, ако приемеш всичко за истина, независимо колко невероятно ти звучи.
Богато въображение, простичък и наивен стил на писане, фантастична история с превъзходно послание:
Понякога единственият начин човек да запази здравия си разум е да вярва в измислици.
А лисиците не са това, което бяха...
И още нещо: книгата е посветена на Кейт –дъщерята на Уилям Уортън .
Посвещението е едно от най-трогателните и превръща книгата за Франки Фърбо в мост между живота и смъртта.
„Посвещавам тази книга на дъщеря ни Кейт, съпруга й Бил и на двете им прекрасни дъщери: Дейел — на две години и Миа — на осем месеца.
Всички те са мъртви. Загинаха на 3 август 1988 г. в 4:00 следобед при ужасна автомобилна катастрофа на магистрала I-5 в долината Уиламет, щата Орегон.
Зловещият инцидент бе предшестван от подпалване на околните стърнища, което е станало с разрешението на местните власти. Въпреки нещастието, при което загинаха седем и бяха ранени трийсет и пет души, а двайсет и четири автомобила бяха унищожени, в Орегон продължават да палят стърнищата с благословията на самия губернатор. Протестите на хората, които живеят в околността, са пренебрегнати заради интересите на по-малко от хиляда фермери, които носят на щата годишен доход от 350 милиона долара, а самите те печелят около 170 милиона.
Първата история за Франки Фърбо съчиних за Кейт преди трийсетина години. През следващите двайсет всяка сутрин разказвах на децата си по една история. Надявах се един ден да ги разказвам и на Дейел и Миа.
Сега благодарение на безочието, недалновидността и алчността на тези фермери, подкрепяни от официалните власти на щата Орегон, това никога няма да стане.
Дори след време да им простим, никога няма да се примирим.”
June 17, 2020
Not for me
May 2, 2022
Cudowna, cudowna, cudowna książka. Nie mam innych słów na to, żeby ją opisać, bo wydaje mi się, że każdy trochę inaczej ją przeżyje. W tym właśnie całe jej piękno.
December 19, 2025
1.5 bo nie spodziewałam się zakończenia
December 30, 2022
(Audiobook), 3/10
Lektor - 4.5/6 (Machalica)
Lektor - 4.5/6 (Machalica)
February 11, 2023
Любимата ми книга на Уортън!
August 26, 2014
Umm one word 'weird'!!! Only finished this book because it was a bookclub book. This has to be the weirdest book I have ever read! I don't get it - this book has received some really good reviews telling how life changing this read was. I really think I'm just not a understander of William Wharton's work because this wasn't life changing at all for me. It was very well written but not for me.
Would not recommend - not my kind of book!
http://whatrebeccasread.blogspot.co.uk/
Would not recommend - not my kind of book!
http://whatrebeccasread.blogspot.co.uk/
March 2, 2009
This book is so interesting and gripping. The concept is of a man separating his fantasy or reality of a fox.
Many aspects of the book are still fresh in my mind, two or three years after reading. Franky Furbo's concept of reading vs. TV and how TV was much better because you have expression and humanness.
I loved the ending and felt it was really well done.
Many aspects of the book are still fresh in my mind, two or three years after reading. Franky Furbo's concept of reading vs. TV and how TV was much better because you have expression and humanness.
I loved the ending and felt it was really well done.
August 11, 2011
This is a very interesting book... especially considering the circumstances behind the authors life and writing of it. It is hard to find, and took me several years to get a good copy, but I read it in one night, and found myself enjoying it. It is not a high form of literature, but it is a very, very interesting read.
February 19, 2019
What a quirky, entertaining, upbeat, funny, fabulous book this is. I can't think of any other book I have read that is quite like it. The fox characters are metaphors for humans, and Wharton gets this spot on. A really great read. Light and deep at the same time. Fantastic.
August 13, 2007
Another masterpiece of Wharton's imagination and literary genius; beauty in every word; suprising characters;
July 5, 2008
We read this book years ago, and then lost it. It was really, really, really good. It's out of print so if you ever run across it, snag it.
March 22, 2013
Uno de los libros más absurdos que he leído en mi vida, por no decir el que más.
July 12, 2009
This book was really weird, and had a lot of "plot twists".. but I liked it. And the art is quirky and awesome. Stories, war, foxes, what more do you need?
October 3, 2014
Unquestionably one of my favorite books, by one of my favorite authors; magic or crazy? Doesn't really matter, but largely responsible for my long standing love of foxes.
January 6, 2019
Странна история за една свръхинтелигентна лисица, основоположник на лисичия род, който ще владее Земята след 50 хиляди години. Историята, разбира се, не е само и единствено за лисицата. По- скоро за стремежа на Човека да вярва; за усилието му да не губи своята същност, вярвайки в своите спомени и фантазии. Как се отразява това вярване на живота му и на взаимоотношенията му с близките.
Не мога да реша дали ми хареса или не. Странна книга. Извън моите възприятия, понеже, най- малкото, не обичам да чета фантастика. Обаче книгата не се вписва и в този жанр.
В процеса на четене се лутах и аз като героя между реалност, спомени и фантазия. Все си мислех, че ще случи това или онова и изобщо не бях подготвена за края.
Не мога да реша дали ми хареса или не. Странна книга. Извън моите възприятия, понеже, най- малкото, не обичам да чета фантастика. Обаче книгата не се вписва и в този жанр.
В процеса на четене се лутах и аз като героя между реалност, спомени и фантазия. Все си мислех, че ще случи това или онова и изобщо не бях подготвена за края.
September 28, 2020
Author of Birdy, Midnight Clear and Dad here puts together one of those talking/rational animals more noble than humans, some time travel, fantasy of shape shifting with dollops of si-fi to make broad comments on humans, their history, twisting and turning in his prose to make this all believable. Some excellent scenes, mostly when realistic; perhaps a child's story for adolescents. A fable that strives without socks being knocked off.
July 14, 2022
I first read this book thirty years ago and I remember being bewitched and enchanted by it.
Now I’ve read it a second time, I have to admit it’s quite extraordinary. Unlike almost any other book I have ever read.
Spoiler alert : this book has the saddest dedication I have ever read. I believe it provides the underpinnings for the incredible work of science fiction - or magical realism, take your pick - that follows.
Now I’ve read it a second time, I have to admit it’s quite extraordinary. Unlike almost any other book I have ever read.
Spoiler alert : this book has the saddest dedication I have ever read. I believe it provides the underpinnings for the incredible work of science fiction - or magical realism, take your pick - that follows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2024
What an incredibly strange and assertive book; I can't remember who recommended it to me? Quite headstrong in how it moves narratively in time/space/register; I like that. The last third, where all the mysteries are answered, all ambiguities clarified, and the dialogue turns into long expository explanation, wasn't for me. I give 1.5 star to everything post-Wilhelm, 5 stars before Raethe gets involved. Still, Caroline a very devious, ruthless one!
November 16, 2024
Yes, it’s an odd tale (as others here have noted), but it’s a sweet and engaging one that will surely stick with you and perhaps grow under your skin into a profound allegory of some elusive mystical truth in time. I’ve read it a few times (to myself and aloud to my daughters) and the other day when I was trying to assess the handful of most impactful novels I’ve ever read it instantly came to mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews