Customer Reviews

The Voice of Bugle Ann

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Recently, while taking inventory (cleaning up my mess) of my library, I ran across my old copy of this book that has been with me since the mid 1950s. Being a strong believer is setting priorities, I instantly sat down, ceased the silly cleaning, and started reading the book once again. My goodness! I know it is impossible, but I am quite sure that old, really good books, get even better with age, just like wine! This is certainly the case with this one.

This work was first published in 1935. It was the first book that I had read by this author and, I must say, it hooked me. This is probably one of the greatest dog stories ever written. People constantly compare it to Where the Red Fern Grows, but to be honest, I personally feel Kantor's work is better written. The story takes place in the Ozark Mountains and is simply about the love a man has toward his dog. Now the story is much more complex than this, but this is what it boils down to in the end. Now take warning, this is a tear jerker. I remember crying when I was a little one while reading it, and the book had the same effect on me just a week ago. This author's prose is beyond equal in my opinion and he has the time, the place, the people and the era down perfectly.

On a personal note, the author names several people in this book, old time dog men and fox hunters. I had the pleasure and honor of knowing several of these old men while I was growing up and knew their sons and daughters quite well. They were a unique breed and I feel much richer for having known them and having been raised amongst them. I suppose this makes this work a bit special for me.

Now this book has fox hunting in it, although it is not a hunting book. The reader should understand this particular sport, which was not a blood sport by any means. In fact, actually killing the fox was considered very bad form and was just something you did not do. Basically it consisted of setting around a fire all night listening to your dog run a fox through the hills. I have spent many evenings doing this and could certainly relate. I do not hunt anymore, having given it up years ago, but I do make an exception anytime I have the opportunity to participate in this particular type of hunting. Probably not true, but it almost seems the fox enjoys the chase almost as much as the dogs and humans do.

If you are looking for a truly well written book, love dogs, and stories of very interesting people (the kind of people that it is difficult to find now days), then this one is for you. This particular work is on my list of top ten all time favorites. Recommend it highly. (Further note: If you happened to see the movie which was made in 1936, please do not judge the book by that viewing as per usual, the movie people missed it completely.)

The Voice of Bugle Ann is a short novel but Mr Kantor's prose brought the story to life--I could hear Bugle Ann just as her owner did and I could feel his anger and sorrow at her lose. This is a powerful book showing to what extent man will go for his best friend--I came across this book on one of the Amazon lists and decided to try it--I could not have been more impressed.

Written in 1935, this book was serialized in the 1950s by the Saturday Evening Post. The reader's response was totally magnificent. And that is where I first heard of Kantor and this wonderful book. I'm just rereading it and once again basking in quality story telling by a master who knew and understood his genre.

Highly recommended reading for animal lovers and those who appreciate truly fine writing.

Ranking equal to or better than Where the Red Fern Grows, this book was a 1936 MGM movie with Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan. I wish it would be made available again. For those of us of traditional old-fashioned values and sentiments, this story is simply Great!

First heard of this back in 1936 and it sounded great to an 8 year old. Finally re-

discovered it this year and then found it was written by MacKinlay Kantor, who wrote

ANDERSONVILLE, the best book I ever read. Just as good as I expected, but much shorter.

My husband remembered this as a little boy. He tried to find one in the library but they had none. What a surprise he had on his birthday and thoroughly enjoyed it again. Brought a lot of old memories and stories to be told.