The Cry of the Wolf [Paperback]

Melvin Burgess (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994

A hunter determined to wipe out every wolf in England almost succeeds, but then finds himself the prey.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- A dramatic and horrifying tale of the tragedy of extinction, this is also an intense picture of a killer on the edge of insanity. There are only about 70 English wolves alive when a young boy, Ben, accidentally spills the secret of their existence to a man identified only as ``the Hunter.'' The wolves, assumed to be extinct for 500 years, now become the prey of this thoroughly vile man who is determined to achieve his glory by hunting the rare animals. Three years into his quest, only the pack leader, her mate, and one of their cubs, Graycub, remain, and bring Ben and his family into their struggle against evil. Graycub, the last of his kind, survives and searches five years for another, only to find, instead, the Hunter. The man becomes the prey as Graycub instinctively seeks revenge in an intense climax complete with turning points and terror. Although the wolves' thoughts and plans tend to be anthropomorphic at times, this is clearly their story; very little appears in the narrative that is unknown to them, leaving readers with sketchy background on the humans involved, but with a strong sense of the intelligence and desperation of the animals. The intensity of the action and the absolute lack of morality of the Hunter is effective--he comes off as a psychotic serial killer--but may be too violent for some children. It's an ecological thriller that will draw nature lovers and horror fans alike. --Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From AudioFile

The lonely nighttime cry of a wolf is chilling--but not nearly as chilling as this unusually grim children's book about the struggles of Grey Cub, Britain's last wild wolf. The contemporary story, read with authority and heart by English actor Sean Barrett, pits a ruthless man, identified only as "The Hunter," against the young wolf and gives the listener a fascinating look at the world through the slanted, amber eyes of Canis lupus. But be prepared to be deeply depressed by a death-filled tale whose happiest moment is one of revenge. M.C. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Beech Tree Books (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688136257
• ISBN-13: 978-0688136253
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,457,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING, December 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cry of the Wolf (Paperback)

Melvin Burgess's first novel,The Cry of the Wolf is without a doubt my most favorite book I have ever read! It is a compelling story about the greediness of a deranged man, also known as the hunter. But if I left you with that you would not have truely understood this novel. The Cry of the Wolf is also about the strugle that last wolf in England is put throught to survive. Even if you do not like wolfs this book is still one that should be on every young readers shelf. Although there is some vilonce and crude nature, so I reccomend that children should be ten at the youngest when they read this book. ...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The cry of the wolf (Hardcover)

WoW! This has been one of my favorite books since I got it a few years ago. I've read it at least 10 times and lent it to most of my friends. It's billed as a children's book, but it's fairly violent, sometimes chillingly so. I would wait to give it to kids until they're 12 or so. Evil is personified as the Hunter, who is never given a name, only his Occupation to identify him. Grey Cub, on the other hand, is a wolf who seems at times almost human. Between the Hunter and his prey stands Ben Tilley, who loves the wolves, and doesn't realize that he's opening the door to their extinction when he tells a stranger that they exist.........

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, August 30, 2010

By 

Brian Ellyson "Brian Ellyson" (Bellingham, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cry of the Wolf (Paperback)

I read this book several times in my younger teenage years its one you cant put down until you have read the last page I would highly reccomend it to anyone the storyline is enthrawling