The Snow Falcon [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Stuart Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999

A magnificent gyrfalcon, soaring in the air over rocky cliffs, is winged by a hunter and falls to earth wounded. Rescued and taken to a nearby farmhouse, the bird's plight will irrevocably change the lives of her savior, Michael Somers, and the woman and child Somers comes to love.

Somers has returned to his hometown of Little River Bend to unlock the secrets of his own past -- secrets that drove him years ago to almost destroy his family in one night of senseless violence. Released from treatment, but shunned by his neighbors, Somers is determined to heal the bird and release her to freedom. Watching from afar is a troubled little boy who lost his ability to speak after witnessing his father's death in a hunting accident. Slowly, an emotional bond grows between this lonely child, his mother, and the strange man who seems to have the ability to heal. The three soon find themselves in terrible danger as the hunter who tried to kill the falcon stalks her again -- and plans to wreak vengeance on Somers.

Set in the majestic snow-covered spruce forests of the Pacific Northwest, this stunning literary debut explores the enduring strength of human compassion and the redemptive power of nature.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though it contains substitute ingredients, New Zealander Harrison's first novel sticks close to the recipe for success that made The Horse Whisperer a bestseller. Take one wounded animal (a falcon), one emotionally scarred child (Jamie Baker, who hasn't spoken since witnessing his father's death in a hunting accident) and one lonely, attractive woman (Susan, Jamie's mother). Add a wilderness setting (western Canada) and a bird whisperer (neophyte falconer Michael Somers). Blend vigorously until falcon heals, boy speaks and woman loves again. As the novel opens, a rare gyrfalcon, blown from its icebound Northern home by fierce storms, circles the inhospitable skies near Little River Bend. Michael is also a reluctant arrival. Absent from his hometown for two decades, he served a brief prison sentence for an incident "back east" seven years earlier. His reputation, embellished by local gossip, precedes him. Despite a hostile reception, he stays to probe psychic wounds left by his estranged father's death and his mother's suicide. When the falcon is wounded by a poacher, Michael rescues it, takes a crash course in falconry and, after the bird heals, begins training it for its return to the wild. Jamie and Susan, who live next door, become intrigued. Although Harrison laces his story with interesting details about the art of falconry, his narrative style is often awkward and nearly everything the reader might reasonably expect to happen eventually does. The result is a predictable novel that fails to rise above its derivative concept. Major ad/promo; audio rights to Brilliance; rights sold in U.K., Germany, Norway, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Israel.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-Michael Somers has returned to his hometown of Little River Bend in western Canada, hoping in vain that residents will forget-or forgive-his criminal past. Released from psychiatric treatment, he hopes to continue the healing process by revisiting his childhood, and especially his relationship with his dead father. In spite of the overt hostility of the townspeople, Michael decides to stay. Then he finds a gyrfalcon wounded by a hunter, and determines to learn falconry so he can nurse it back to health and teach it to hunt again. Jamie, a nine-year-old neighbor, watches his efforts in silence. The child witnessed the death of his father in a hunting accident over a year ago, and has not spoken since. His mother reluctantly allows him to spend time with Michael and Cully, the snow falcon, hoping that her son's fascination with the bird will bring him out of himself. In a harrowing climax, Cully unexpectedly takes flight before her leash is unfastened and tangles herself in the cleft of a high cliff. Michael climbs up to free her; Jamie, below, must call the falcon to his gloved hand so she can be released from the leash and fly free. Michael falls from the face of the cliff, gravely injured, but Jamie finds his voice and calls Cully down and releases her. YAs will be riveted by this tale of humans as much in need of healing as the falcon who brings them together.
Molly Connally, Kings Park Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 341 pages
• ISBN-10: 0312254202
• ASIN: B000H2MAUO
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,684,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY THE MOST EXQUISITE BOOK I'VE READ THIS YEAR!, July 21, 2000

By 

"gsf918" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snow Falcon (Paperback)

I'm in such awe of this amazing new talent and am in complete agreement with all of the comments made herein as well as those from other reviewers! The only complaint about this book that I have is that there hasn't been MAJOR promotion for it as it certainly deserves. First of all, this gyr falcon, as well as each character in this book, are soooooo REAL that you can actually FEEL their emotions and thoughts in every word of this phenomenal masterpiece. I can only hope that Mr. Harrison has another book on the way to us asap and that he has since changed agents so that he can get better publicity for his next book! Thank you, Mr. Harrison, for such a creative, beautiful story and one that will last in my mind for many years to come! While I was reading this book, everytime I had to put it down, I thought to myself....I just LOVE this book soooooo much! It's just such an amazing reading experience! I truly didn't want this one ever to end! It's simply breathtaking!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely enchanting!, May 27, 1999

By 

Catherine Marie Coleman - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snow Falcon (Hardcover)

Does your soul need an uplift? Do I have the book for you!. The Snow Falcon is a soaring adventure bursting with spirit. Just what the doctor ordered, this enchanting tale, whose author's command of language is sensuously poetic, reminds the reader of life's important lessons (e.g., love, relationships and redemption), lessons that will pleasantly linger in the minds of readers long after the last pages are turned.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS WAS A WONDERFUL BOOK., June 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Snow Falcon (Hardcover)

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I LOVED THE DESCRIPTION OF THE FALCON AND ITS RELATION TO MAN. I ALSO LOVED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MICHAEL SOMERS AND JAMIE AND FINALLY MICHAEL AND JAMIE'S MOTHER. HARRISON WRITES BEAUTIFULLY. MY ONLY REGRET WAS THAT THIS BOOK WASN'T PROMOTED AS MUCH AS I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN IT PROMOTED FOR IT WERE, IT WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE MADE THE BEST SELLER'S LIST.