The Snow Goose [Library Binding]

Paul Gallico (Author), Angela Barrett (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2007:
"A tale of exquisite sentimentality and storytelling gains new appeal in Barrett's magical hands . . . a lovely reworking for a whole new audience."


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375945601
• ISBN-13: 978-0375945601
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.4 x 10.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,357,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This story will inspire and move you, October 8, 2007

By 

Margaret Love "Bird Lover" (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Hardcover)

I had borrowed this book from the library when I was reading William Fiennes' book, The Snow Geese. He mentioned that the story had inspired him to embark on his epic journey to follow the snow geese from their wintering grounds in Texas to their breeding grounds in the Foxe Peninsula. I was so moved by this story that I had to have a copy for myself. Get this book - I know you'll be glad you did! And when you read it, you'll see why it is still being published, 66 years after it was first published in 1941. That it has stood the test of time is a testament to the masterpiece that it is.

This book is really not written for children. I don't know why they keep saying that it's for kids. I suppose it's because of the lovely illustrations in it. However, the reading level is for young adults and adults. There's another book titled THE SNOW GOOSE AND OTHER STORIES. That book is written for young children and it's the same story, just rewritten for junior readers.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book, March 28, 2010

By 

JK (PA,USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Hardcover)

My parents read this haunting and lovely story to my siblings and me when we were in our teens, my husband and I read it to our children, and now my oldest grandchild is ready to hear it. Until now I have avoided purchasing The Snow Goose with pictures, finding that illustrations detracted from the story. I am delighted to find that Angela Barrett's beautiful subtly colored illustrations capture the mood of the story perfectly. (I especially love the tender drawing of Rhayader and Frith looking up at the circling snow goose, where Frith's hair, blown by the wind, softens and obscures Rhayader's deformities.) I will be purchasing several copies of this edition for sisters and friends as well as for my grandson. It is a real treasure.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DESERVES CLASSIC STATUS, November 7, 2009

By 

Goodbye "Mr P" (Rural England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Hardcover)

First heard about this book from the Camel album of the same name - back in the late 70's - beautiful music dedicated to the book.

The book can be read in one sitting - in fact I did just that recently - reading it to my daughter(11 years old)- took me 40 minutes of non step reading.

The story is set in WW2: and is in many ways a remaking of "Beauty and the Beast" - with a mishapen and physically grotesque man befriending a young girl. The local community has rejected the young hunch-back who lives alone in a deserted lighthouse - which itself is symbolic of enlightenment.

A bird (a snowgoose) brings and keeps the two of them together as over the years they await its comings and goings and tend to its needs. The main theme of the book is plainly stated at the start by the author, who says:

"In it there lived a lonely man. His body was warped, but his heart was filled with love for wild and hunted things. He was ugly to look upon, but he created great beauty. It is about him, and a child who came to know him and see beyond the grotesque form that housed him to what lay within, that this story is told."

The love of the man for the bird and for the little girl is slowly and overwhelmingly reciprocated as she grows to see the beauty of his spirit. His love for mankind is demonstrated by his selfless act of rescuing the stranded soldiers on the beaches of Dunkirk - using his little boat to pick them up and take them to waiting ships.

This final enactment is relayed by conversations we overhear of soldiers telling the story of the man's rescue - with the snowgoose circling overhead throughout.

I will not spoil the story by giving the ending away.

The book is wonderfully written, and expresses a profound love of mankind and nature. It is inspirational and should be read.