Customer Reviews

THE VILLAIN: THE LIFE OF DON WHILLANS

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

A sad read about such a famous British climber. A very complex individual who was brought up the hard way. A good read though.

A terrific piece of writing by Jim Perrin about this hard man of grit who left his mark on hard gritstone rock and the people in that climbing arena then--and even now.
But given the background that the author manages to reveal through his writing about this great icon and his true word craft that paints a Lowry image of Don (not so much a stick figure though!)in a tough northern environment, why is Don Whillans painted as a villain? Maybe a rebel, but a hero not a villain. Sorry Jim, I cannot see the title being right for Don, but its just my opinion:)..Mind you I never got whacked by Don in a few of the times I met him, but his routes are stronger testament to his rebellion to authority than his social exploits.
It was a large project for the author, but very worthwhile to document what needed to be told--warts and all.
Its a bit of climbing history that was special at that time.
Isn't the route described in the book Ferdies Folly at Ravenstones, actually Freddys Folly?
Great.