The Snow Goose [Hardcover]

Paul Gallico (Author)

Book Description

A curious story involving not only the Snow Goose, the Canada-bred wanderer of the airways, but also a couple and their travels. In print in this small hardcover gift format since 1941.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-- A newly illustrated 50th anniversary edition of a classic. This brief literary fairy tale of the dark, reclusive hunchback with a gift for love and healing; the timid country girl; and the wounded snow goose that brings them together is undeniably sentimental. Certain aspects of the story may seem dated to today's readers, and they probably won't be drawn to an adult heroine depicted as so primitive and inarticulate that "She did not understand war or what happened in France," and Rhayader must explain it to her "in terms she could understand." The addition of painterly oil illustrations with a suitable romantic quality and an attractive book design make this a handsome package. No doubt, a new generation of young romantics will sigh with satisfying heartbreak as Fritha watches the soaring snow goose that she sees as "the soul of Rhayader taking farewell of her before departing forever." --Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (June 27, 1941)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394445937
• ISBN-13: 978-0394445939
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.4 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Beautiful Story Ever, April 27, 2006

By 

Dindy Robinson (Arlington, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Hardcover)

I have always loved Paul Gallico as a writer, and this short story is one of my favorites of his work. It is a beautiful story that children may like, but adults will love. The story is about a lonely artist, Philip Rhyader, who retreats from society due to a hunchback and deformed hand. He lives in a lighthouse where he creates his works of art and tends to injured animals.

One day a young girl named Frith brings him a snow goose that has been injured. (I loved the book so much that I named my oldest daughter Fritha.) Although she is at first scared of Rhyader, a friendship develops between them as they tend the goose. After the goose is healed, it flies away but returns every year to stay with Rhyader for the season. The girl, Frith, returns each year when the snow goose returns. Rhyader falls in love with her but she does not realize it.

The book ends with the battle of Dunkirk when the British troops are trapped on the beach. Rhyader, who was unable to fight in the war because of his deformities, takes his small sailboat and crosses the channel several times, delivering the British soldiers to safety. On each trip he is accompanied by the beautiful snow goose.

I'll give you fair warning, the ending of the book is one of the saddest you will ever read. However, the message of love and friendship and hope conveyed in the book will make you want to return and read it over and over again.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OF THE BOOKS THAT I HAVE ENJOYED THE MOST, December 7, 2000

By 

Scott Kruis - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Hardcover)

I first heard of this book through an English rock band named "Camel". I bought an album titled "Camel - A Live Record" about 1980 (it is also on a wonderful studio album titled "The Snow Goose" by Camel). After listening to the album many times, it slowly grew on me to be one of my favorites. It was a 2 album set and one of the albums was completely instrumental in nature and told the story of "The Snow Goose" (it is also interesting to note that this recording of "The Snow Goose" was done with the London Symphony Orchestra and in front of the Queen of England). After a few years as a favorite album of mine, I played it for a friend who recognized the story as being from a movie and a short book. He started telling me the story as the music played and knew I had to read the book. I found the book shortly after that and fell in love with it. I have read it many times and often read it at the same time as I play the music, the two are so much in sync with each other and flow through the moods together in such a powerful way. The story centers around a deformed lighthouse keeper in England who is kept at a distance by the locals, but only has love in his heart. He is befriended by a young girl Fritha who brings to him a rare Canadian snow goose injured by hunters. The snow goose and young girl become friends and companions to Rhayader until a time of war when Rhayader must leave to help his fellow man. Rhayader single handedly saves many lives of the soldiers at the battle of Dunkirk as he sails his small boat with the guidance of the snow goose through the lead flying all around. Sadly, I have never seen the movie, though I hear it is often played on the television near Christmas time in England. I have given perhaps two dozen copies of this book away as gifts. And it is always a joy and well received.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN ADMIRABLE CHARACTER TAKES FLIGHT, April 5, 2008

By 

Red Rock Bookworm (St. George Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Hardcover)

Paul Gallico is not a novelist. His talent lies in his ability to tell beautiful and inspiring short stories that are a joy to read. The Snow Goose is one of my favorites and I have read and re-read it many times over my lifetime, each time gaining new insight into the author and his characters. At the risk of being accused of blasphemy, it is my opinion that The Snow Goose could have appeared as one of the parables told in the New Testament. It is a short story, a mere 6O or so pages, and tells the story of a physically deformed artist in his late 20's named Rhayader who has retreated from the world and taken up residence in an abandoned lighthouse near a marsh where he attempts to capture the beauty of his surroundings on canvas as well as provide sanctuary to the birds who seek shelter there over the winter months.

One day, a girl of about 12 named Frith, comes to him with an injured snow goose. Although frightened by his outward appearance, she overcomes her trepidation because she has heard of his desire to help the creatures of the marsh. Together they nurse the injured goose until it is able to fly north in spring. The following year the goose returns as does the young Frith. Over several years this cycle continues and the annual return of the bird acts as a catalyst in the developing relationship between the artist and the young woman. We see a lonely young man whose repugnant physical countenance has alienated him from society as he is slowly transformed by the restorative power of friendship and love. Over the years the birds' visits extend for longer periods and by the spring of 1940 it becomes apparent that the bird will remain at the lighthouse. World War II comes to the quiet marsh in a most unusual way and the story takes a different tack.

Although this book may be perceived as "chic-lit" it poses questions about the human spirit and the need for companionship that can be educational to all ages and both sexes. This small little book packs a great big wallop to the readers psyche and I heartily recommend it.