Born Naked: The Early Adventures of the Author of Never Cry Wolf [Paperback]

Farley Mowat (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 1995

Farley Mowat's youth was charmed and hilarious, and unbelievably free in its access to unspoiled nature through bird-banding expeditions and overnight outings in the dead of winter. The author writes of sleeping in haystacks for survival, and other adventures, with equal shares of Booth Tarkington and Jack London. He also brings back Mutt, the famous hero-dog of his classic THE DOG WHO WOULDN'T BE, and his pet owl Wol, hero of OWLS IN THE FAMILY. The tale of an outrageous and clever boy, BORN NAKED takes its place as the foundation of the Farley Mowat canon.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Now in his 70s, Mowat ( Never Cry Wolf ) looks back on the happiest years of his life in this delightful memoir of an idyllic boyhood. He has previously described his father, Angus, as the original hippie; his mother, Helen, was more sedate but reluctantly supported her husband's schemes. Growing up in rural Ontario and on the Saskatchewan prairies, Mowat had unlimited freedom to explore the countryside. He gives an entertaining account of the family's boating misadventures, of their move to Saskatoon with a home-built trailer, of a motor trip to Canada's west coast. Entranced by the prairie and its wildlife, Mowat spent most of his time there--often with Mutt, the much loved pet featured in The Dog Who Wouldn't Be. Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-Mowat begins with a well-written account of his first 12 years spent in various towns in southern Ontario, where his father served as a public librarian. Then they moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the setting for most of this book. There young Farley roamed the Canadian prairies, birding, hiking, camping, and tracking. His enthusiasm and love of the land and its animals are infectious; his knowledge, particularly of birds, is impressive. The growth of a young man is dealt with sensitively, and some of the incidents included are quite funny. The author uses his own childhood poems, letters, articles, and journal entries as well as those of others, namely his father and a maid, effectively. This is a book for any YA with even a passing interest in the outdoors and animals. Mowat's ability to put into perspective his sexual and social rites of passage is a talent that few writers can equal.
Clodagh Lee, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books (March 22, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395735289
• ISBN-13: 978-0395735282
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #517,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional Canada

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Only My Childhood Was Like His...., June 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Born Naked: The Early Adventures of the Author of Never Cry Wolf (Paperback)

I've been a big fan of Farley Mowat's literary style since I first read Never Cry Wolf back in junior high school. Even as a 9th grade Earth Science teacher, I show the silver screen adaptation of this great novel. Born Naked, however, is of different 'stuff' than Never Cry Wolf. Here is a book written in a light, easy-to-read fashion that highlights his early years in this great world. We, the readers, are along for the ride when he travels to the Arctic on a research mission with his uncle, or when he makes his daily rounds to inspect the nests of local birds in Saskatchewan. This book is written in a truly entrancing style. I had a very difficult time putting it down. There are some questionable portions in it dealing with his discovery of his own sexuality, but they are far outweighed by the sense of awe and discovery he felt as a youngster. I would heartily recommend this book to anyone that enjoyed Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, or anyone that wants to experience the childhood they only dreamed about

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Love Song to Nature and Life, September 8, 2005

By 

Owl at home (Castro Valley, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born Naked: The Early Adventures of the Author of Never Cry Wolf (Paperback)

If you've read Farley Mowat, you know him as a passionate defender of the beautiful "Others" with whom we share our planet. This book is a joy-filled description of his early life and formation as a nature-lover. We hear of the wild beauty of Canada, the Quixotic plans his father devised and his mother endured, and the daring adventures which will become the foundation for his later writings. Although a light-hearted story overall, Farley does not avoid the difficult times, including a powerful depiction of the effect of the Depression on the Canadian provinces. It is a love song to the strength of character and perseverence of our northern cousins, as well.

When the book ends, the reader, like the writer, wonders if there will ever be such a wonderful time again. Sheer delight.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mowat is a true Canadian gem, August 19, 2004

By 

Holden (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born Naked (General S.) (Hardcover)

I enjoy all of Mowat's books, but this one is particularly good. His style is conversational, his humor is biting. Clearly a man who does not suffer a fool lightly. Farley Mowat is a national gem. Buy the book...