The Incredible Journey [Paperback]

Sheila Burnford (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam Books (1961)
• ASIN: B000TWAG1M
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,294,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic story of three pets' dangerous journey home, December 30, 2005

By 

Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Incredible Journey (Mass Market Paperback)

The Incredible Journey tells the story of three animal companions - a young Labrador Retriever, an aging Bull Terrier, and a feisty Siamese cat - who embark on a dangerous journey home through the Canadian wilderness. They had been staying with a family friend while their real owners were temporarily residing in Europe, but they lit out for home on their own after their current keeper left for vacation. The plan was for the couple who took care of the house to look after the pets, but fate conspired to make them think Mr. Longridge had taken the animals with him. Thus, as the animals made their way west toward their old home, no one at all knew they were missing.

Sheila Burnford's narrative is surprisingly realistic. Animals can't survive for weeks without food, and the only food available in the Canadian forests in early autumn is other animals. The cat is especially good at snaring warm snacks, and the Lab is capable of chasing something down from time to time - and luckily, both are willing to share with the old Bull Terrier whose age is catching up with him. It's a little sad to read about the demise of so many birds and rodents, but this book describes the animals' captures and kills rather straightforwardly. Of course, the trio also benefits from a few encounters with humans (although the Bull Terrier learns that his charms don't always win over the person on the other side of the door). These make for some emotional passages of their own, but the trio only stay in one place long enough to refresh and recover themselves.

The woods hold many dangers, which the animals could never survive on their own. Indeed, each one of them suffers trials that threaten to end their journey altogether, and the friends are also separated at times. Whatever happens, though, the drive of the young Lab as he leads his friends ever westward toward his image of home overrides individual pains and fears. The commitment and bravery the animals show toward one another in the face of several very real threats is inspiring and heart-warming.

If you love pets or animals in general, this is a really emotional story - not only the ending, but several sections throughout the whole book. The friendship and teamwork of these three very different animals is touching and wonderful to watch and experience. The Incredible Journey is nothing less than a classic that all animal lovers should have in their personal library.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly Good., May 17, 2001

By 

Christopher B. Jonnes "author of BIG ICE and... (Stillwater, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Incredible Journey (Mass Market Paperback)

The Incredible Journey is mandatory reading for all kids and pet lovers. The book is on equal par with other classic animal tales such as Sounder and Old Yeller. It has a good combination of exciting action and emotionally-charged drama. Many young readers will be moved to both tears and cheers.

Through a series of mishaps, a trio of pets--a Labrador retriever, bull terrier, and Siamese cat--are left stranded in a cabin over two hundred miles from home. These three anthropomorphic characters assume the responsibility of saving themselves by journeying home by instinct and foot. What follows is a fantastic series of challenges and accomplishments. Their trek leads them through the north woods where they face wild predators, the elements, starvation, and incomprehensible distance. Along the way they learn lessons of love, loyalty, and perseverance. Wonderfully entertaining. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Story......, December 9, 2002

By 

Deborah L. Woodstuff "IntoTea" (Wellsburg, WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Incredible Journey (Hardcover)

The book I read is a Weekly Reader Book, hardcover, with a copyright 1960, 1961 with the cover illustration copyright of 1986. The illustrations in the book are done by Carl Burger.

I loved this story since a child after watching the movie on The Wonderful World of Disney and I wanted to read and share the experience with my 6 year old daughter.

You will find yourself wanting to find out what will happen next as the three companions travel through hostile terrain to find their loving family hundreds of miles away.

The word choices are often hard to understand as an adult and my daughter would often ask "what does that mean"? Also she had a hard time keeping straight which dog was which but she did enjoy the book very much.

The last chapter is the best and I almost cried when two of the animals found their owners and then again when the old dog was reunited with his owner after everyone thought he did not survive The Incredible Journey.

I would like to know if this was any way based on a true story. You will enjoy this book very much but it is not a casual read.