Romances of the wild

by H. Mortimer Batten

Delightful stories of wildlife for young and old.

175 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1977

Reviews

[Shedea Greentree · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are 17 eloquent, powerful stories based on life as it happens in the wild, sometimes ending in heart-rending tragedy, while others have happier endings. Mankind's compassion (and sadly too often, lack of compassion) for his wilder brothers and sisters is here skillfully portrayed. I first read this book as a nine year old girl in the 1950's and still treasure it. I was deeply moved by these stories back then, and even when I re-read them many years later. As the author says, towards the end of the Introduction: "Neither the serious work nor the romance is complete in itself, for the scientist and the field observer must work hand in hand. Thus I give my assurance that these stories are true to the lives of the creatures with which they deal, as I have seen and known them, and beyond the occasional founding of a plot, round which to weave the fabric of their ways and characters, no liberty has been taken. And if they add one jot to the understanding sympathy of my readers, my object will have been achieved."

[Bailey Jörk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great collection of short stories and my version had splendid illustrations. The stories have a sort of fable vibe to them and it is a book I think you could go back to and read the short stories again.