Bambi: A Life in the Woods [Paperback]

Felix Salten (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 1, 1988 | Age Range: 8 and up | Lexile Measure: 700L (What's this?)

The Prince of the Forest

Bambi's life in the woods begins happily. There are forest animals to play with -- Friend Hare, the chattery squirrel, the noisy screech owl, and Bambi's twin cousins, frail Gobo and beautiful Faline.

But winter comes, and Bambi learns that the woods hold danger -- and things he doesn't understand. The first snowfall makes food hard to find. Bambi's father, a handsome stag, roams the forest, but leaves Bambi and his mother alone.

Then there is Man. He comes to the forest with weapons that can wound an animal. He does terrible things to Gobo, to Bambi's mother, and even to Bambi. But He can't keep Bambi from growing into a handsome stag himself, and becoming...the Prince of the Forest.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bambi comes into the world in a forest glade, loved by his mother, protected by a thicket. He grows up frolicking in the meadow, befriending butterflies and screech owls, and learning about the dark fear of all the woodland creatures: man. Over time, Bambi seeks out the wisdom of the prince of deer, a magnificent old stag who walks alone through the paths of the forest. Bambi is torn between his desire to be with his beloved mate, Faline, and his yearning for the knowledge and solitude the prince represents. He is also conflicted about his friend Gobo, who has returned to the forest after a winter living among humans. Gobo behaves unnaturally by strolling through the woods by day when other deer are sleeping, showing no fear of his natural mortal enemy.

This 1926 classic has been stretched and squeezed into many forms over the years, but the Felix Salten original should not be missed. With the richer, more highly wrought language of his time, Salten crafts a story layered in meaning, weighty with its message. The sometimes cruel, often joyful cycle of life continues, in spite of those who try to defy nature's law. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

In 1999, Schulman adapted Salten's 1923 novel, bringing the original tale of a young deer's coming of age to a generation more familiar with the Disney animated version. Here, the woodland story, considered by many critics to be the first "ecological" novel, springs to life via Dolan's fine reading. Young listeners will be eager to follow along on Bambi's first frolics in the meadow, where he encounters a magpie, grasshoppers, butterflies and dandelions. By then, listeners will be hooked enough to stay with this recording as Bambi takes in stride the important, if somber, life lessons imparted by his mother, all the while trying to understand why "life is so difficult and dangerous." And when hunters encroach, taking his mother from him, Bambi knows he has to follow the advice of the stag known as the Great Prince: "Listen, smell and see for yourself; live by yourself; find out for yourself." Dolan's comfortable storytelling style conveys all the wonder, awe and self-discovery of the material and does not over-sentimentalize the deeper emotional current that comes with encountering death. A wide range of listeners will find much to appreciate in this more serious (compared to Disney's interpretation) look at a beloved children's character. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (July 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067166607X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671666071
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars "adapted" = "dumbed down" March 22, 2008

By thelegalalien

Format:Paperback

To all who are confused by sleek marketing: THIS IS NOT THE "REAL" BAMBI!!!

The real "Bambi" is written by Felix Salten, period. And, it wasn't meant as a book for children. It is a philosophical tale about attaining knowledge, wisdom and the enlightenment, if you will. It is an allegory of human life, suffering and the ultimate quest for the TRUTH.

That you can only infer from the original text by Salten, which today seems to be available only on vintage editions from the 20-s. TO give you an idea, the edition being reviewed is 192 pages long, and the 1929 edition of the Salten's text is 293 pages long (same size print). This is how much has been cut out of Salten's text, where IMO every word is thoroughly meaningful and irreplaceable.

The continuous efforts to dumb down this book really makes me wonder. The sugar-coated Disney version of the story started the trend. The "adaptions", while claiming to return to authenticity, reduce the scope of the questions raised in the story to growing up and learning, and to the environmentalist \ anti-hunting issues.

No, it is much more than that. Do not settle for less, get the original. Borrow it from your local library if you must. And, read it to your kids -- they can handle its wisdom.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A true classic for all of the family! November 27, 2000

By Denise Bentley

Format:Hardcover

I first read Bambi 30 years ago and was lucky enough to find a 1929 copy that I will hold dear to my heart forever. The author takes you deep into the forest where you become one of the animals. You can feel the cold and smell the fear among them when the two-legged animal called "Man" arrives. It allows readers to immerse themselves in the world, seeing it from an animal's point of view.

It's a great book to share with kids and a valuable learning experience about the ways of nature. At times it is cruel and very true to life. It teaches respect for our elders, and love of family. We stand back and watch Bambi grow stronger until he has a sense of wisdom that only experience can bring. This is truly a book to share with your kids. It is so much more than a Disney cartoon.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful October 19, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

The only reason I read Bambi by Felix Salten was because I thought the Disney movie was kind of "cute."

THE BOOK IS SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER.

This isn't exactly what you would call a children's book. Salten has written what some would almost call a satire about survival in the woods and the dangers of manpower. This book (along with Salten's other book, Fifteen Rabbits) has been the only book that has moved me to tears. This is a must-read for ANYONE. You won't be able to put it down. But, beware, there are some pretty moving and powerful scenes in this story, so have some kleenexes ready! (In the end, EVERY major character, including Faline, his father, etc., is killed except for Bambi and his two young children.)

P.S.--If you liked this book, be sure to go out and read Salten's other book about forest life, except this time from a rabbit's point of view: Fifteen Rabbits. You'll love it!