Customer Reviews

The fox and the hound

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first bought this book as a pocket book edition, way back in the mid 70's. I have since then bought several copies as gifts and keep for myself a reading copy and a "collectible" copy.

The book is in my opinion, the best book ever written from the point of view of the animals. The author did a superb job of describing what their world is like; and an excellent job of guessing what they must think and feel. He admits it is guess work, and explains how difficult it is to write such a book and not be accused of humanizing the animals. But again, he did a superb job.

The book is in no way comparable to the sugary version produced by Walt Disney. The only things they bear in common are the names of the Fox and the Hound. The book is very natural in it description of the lives of the animals. There is no friend ship between the fox and hound. There is a relationship of sorts tho - and the book takes them both threw their lives weaving them together in such a way that the reader can admire and sympathize with both - enemies tho they are.

As the book progresses - it take the animals from the prime of life, to the struggles found as they age - and as they find their environment changing.

As it draws to a close - you will likely need a box of Kleenex handy. You will at least need a few minutes to yourself.

It is a great Shame this book has never been re-issued.
I once had an interesting email exchange where it was explained to me this is typical of any book that suffers the misfortune to be made into a Disney movie. Tragic. It results in making this wonderful book very hard to find, which means many who would love it, will never even know it exist.

This is definitely a golden title. Stayed away from it for a while due to pricing. Had read it many years ago and remembered enjoying it, and I enjoy it again now. For all animal lovers, written from the fox's and the hound's perspective, couldn't think of a better Sunday leisure reading, by a crackling fire, this time of the year.
(With a hard cover I would have given it a 5 star).

first read this book bacj in 71, while in vietnam, the title does not mean it is any way related to a Disney product. Excekkent story and an excellent book.

Growing up, Disney's animated feature The Fox and the Hound was one of my favorite movies. I still watch it every few months, and have always enjoyed everything about it.

Quite unexpectedly, I came across an article on Cracked that mentioned that it was based on a book by Daniel P. Mannix, though the basis was apparently quite loose. Interested, I scrimped and bought this relatively expensive book.

I'm not really sure what words I can use to describe this piece. I have read many books about animals, and many written from the perspective of animals, but I have never read anything quite like Mannix's work before.

The world painted by Mannix is brilliantly told from the eyes of two animals- the fox, Tod, and the hound, Copper. Most of the world is described by smell, which would be expected of an animal who uses scent as its primary sense. This makes everything about the environment in this book unique, vivid, and quite memorable.

The descriptions of Tod's capture, maturity, and life over the years are as true to nature as you can get. Every tiny detail stands out on its own; from his wandering from his human's home as he reaches maturity, to finding his first mate and learning to hunt as a couple, and to fleeing from cur and hunting dogs and finding ways to disable traps for their tempting treats.

Of course the most engaging parts of this book are the hunts, especially those that involve both Copper, a bloodhound and foxhound mix, and Tod himself. I could not put the book down when they were after each other. Each and every step is penned down to what seems to be the exact paw-mark, and they stretch out a surprising length.

I've already mentioned that the Disney version was very loosely based off this book, and anyone wanting to read a family friendly tale will do well to stay away. But if you're looking for a wild thrill that is packed with grim and fantastic realism, you need to sniff out a copy of this book. You will treasure it forever!

I was amazed at Mannix's ability to tell such a story. His skill in imagining things from the perspective of both fox and hound is perfect. I was especially pleased at how he avoids rampant anthropomorphism--which is so hard to do when we love the animals around us, but also so important because we really need to understand them for what they are. Mannix clearly tells a compassionate and emotional story, while still being highly educational on the subject of animal behavior. Such an amazing book. I highly recommend it for adults and children, especially if you or someone you know raises hounds! **No Noticeable Relationship To The Disney Film**

When I read this novel on the first of June I was astounded of how Daniel Pratt Mannix managed to take the perspective of the two animals and bring them to life. The story engaged me from its intensive beginning to the abrupt ending and the little known hunting techniques interested me a lot. The novel itself was brilliantly presented with ink drawings, which are not seen in many books today. I think that it was a marvelous evocation of the animal world and that Tod and Copper were extremely unforgettable. Overall Daniel Pratt Mannix took on the charge of anthropomorphism and showed us how it is like to live the world from an animals perspective.The fox and the hound

I'll never forget Tod and Copper. Such is the author's skill that you can't help but love both of them, although they're mortal enemies.

Mannix tells us so much about the world(s) of the hunt and about the animals involved. You come away with tremendous respect for true hunters and their finely-trained dogs, as well as for the intelligent, appealing foxes they chase.

This is a GREAT book, not an anesthetic lie filled with singing owls. If you like Disney and stuffed animals that neither live nor defecate, stay away. However, if you love animals, with all their inconvenience and blood and musk, and you love the breathing earth and feel more alive when you're in the woods, this story is for you.

This book reminded me how much wilderness and animals enrich my life. Over the years, we've had generations of foxes spend time at our house. Mannix has accurately and empathetically captured their style.