Customer Reviews

Born Naked : The Early Adventures of the Author of "Never Cry Wolf"

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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

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.

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...

The other reviews have been spot on, this is a page turner extraordinaire--delightful moments, amusing stories, amazing adventures in days of yore.

Canadian author Farley Mowat's Born Naked is a must-read glimpse into the author's much self-written about life. It's hilarious, it's poignant and a must for any Mowat fan.

I have read over 10 of Farley Mowat's books, Born Naked is by far the best yet! I could not put it down and am going to read it again.

Farley Mowat is a master of conveying you into another time, and making you feel at home.

He transports you to the Canada of the late 20s and early 30s--from the Flapper Age to the Crash.

He also transports you to the wide-eyed wonder of childhood, when everything is new and strange and exciting and scary.

He manages to convey adult disquiets (extramarital affairs, disharmony, mismatch in marriage) from the oblivious point of a child who sees them but doesn't understand them because he is preoccupied with child-things: exploration, animals, collecting, making (and not making) friends, and so on.

What is so amazing about this book is how it sneaks up on you. The litany of funny anecdotes manages to convey a deep and complex picture of almost all the important characters.

A funny, entrancing read about a bygone, yet strangely eternal, time.