Ring of Bright Water [Hardcover]

Gavin Maxwell (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Dutton; 14th edition (1964)
• ASIN: B000GR7HHQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,283,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic otter tale..., May 28, 1999

By 

Nungesser (The USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ring of Bright Water (Classic, Nature, Penguin) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book has been a favorite of mine for years. Maxwell exceeds at conveying deep personal emotion, and this book is suffused with the joy he felt during his first few years with his otters Mij and Edal.

Fans of this book should take pains to search for the two out-of-print sequels: "The Rocks Remain" and "Raven, Seek Thy Brother". Neither is as joyful or cohesive as "Ring", but you will indeed find out what the life of a reclusive-yet-famous nature writer can be like. I also highly recommend Maxwell's autobiography of his childhood, "The House of Elrig".

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Tale of Otters and More, October 19, 2001

By 

Ricky Hunter (New York City, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ring of Bright Water (Classic, Nature, Penguin) (Mass Market Paperback)

Gavin Maxwell's Ring of Bright Water is a much-deserved classic. It tells the tale of the author's time on the coast of Scotland devoting the first half to his learning to live in this isolated paradise and the second half, slightly better, to his time consecutively with two otters (as well as other creatures, my favourite being the geese). As anyone who loves animals will know, tears will factor into this tale, but never at the expense of the joy and laughter. They are some very funny bits. It would almost be enough to get me to exhange my cats for otters (almost, but not quite enough). Some of the writing is a litte florid at times, particulary the brief section on killer whales, but, otherwise, this is an astounding and beautiful example of nature writing.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Haunting and Charming Reminiscence, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Ring of Bright Water (Classic, Nature, Penguin) (Mass Market Paperback)

Maxwell's "Ring of Bright Water" is not a book about otters alone. It is the story of a man living near the Hebridies and taking up the life of a naturalist. He describes the sea and the land with equal relish. Those who read "Ring of Bright Water" for the otters alone may miss the haunting atmosphere of northern Scotland, and, having been there for some time, I can say that Maxwell recalls it rather well. As for the otters, they are endearing and facinating. However, as someone involved in animal handling and educational programs, I strongly urge the reader not to desire to have such an exotic pet. If one truly loves the wilds that Maxwell lovingly details, one would not subject a wild animal to such stresses, or introduce a non-native predator to such a rich and rare place.