Pages

▼

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Tarka The Otter

This photo was taken by me at an Otter sanctuary in Suffolk.

I keep meaning to write about our Easter holiday, and post a few more pictures. I have also been trying to get to the end of reading "Tarka The Otter" by Henry Williamson, so I could write about that at the same time. But I had to wait for Frankie to finish it, before I could even start.


We were staying for a week in Skirr Cottage, in North Devon, where Henry Williamson lived while he was writing the book. As you can see it was very old and beautiful. I did think it would be rather wonderful for the whole family to sit in the evening reading this classic together in the place it was actually written (possible with me knitting an otter), but perhaps my children have got a bit old for that, and at the time I was concentrating on my shells and didn't want to start a brand new project. So Little One got her hands on the book first, and although I think she found it quite hard going at times, did get to the end (she is 10 years old).


Now I have finished reading "Tarka The Otter" as well. I had always thought it was a children's book, but in fact it was intended for adults. The descriptions of nature are beautiful, but also it doesn't pull any punches.  But I guess nature can be cruel. It reminded me a bit of Watership Down, although the animals are much less anthropomorphic (Do hope that is the right word!).

at

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous17 July 2013 at 10:26

    I agree not a children's book- I abandoned it as a child, but loved when I read it as an adult, and you can stay in his cottage- amazing experience, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gertie17 July 2013 at 13:34

    I tried reading it as a child but it was too upsetting. Lovely photo of the otter xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. HillyT17 July 2013 at 14:02

    I haven't read this actually, I think my sisters said it was sad and that put me off. I love that otter photograph, L adores otters, I will have to show her tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Betsy17 July 2013 at 18:07

    What a fine home, did you get pictures of the inside? An adorable otter posing for you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. betty-NZ17 July 2013 at 18:55

    I've never heard of it, but it sounds quite interesting. What a wonderful old home the author had for inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous19 July 2013 at 08:42

    One of my favorite stories was 'Ring of Bright Water,' also about an otter and the rough wilds of the north coast of the UK. Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #23' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #24...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown20 July 2013 at 02:33

    That's a book I've never heard of. I'll have to look for it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brona20 July 2013 at 03:06

    I confess to not having heard of Williamson or his otter book. But his home is lovely :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. (Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea20 July 2013 at 04:34

    He is so cute. I am not familiar with the children's book.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Laurel-Rain Snow20 July 2013 at 04:54

    Love the shots of the cottage and the otter...and the book at the end makes a nice touch.

    Here's
    MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

    ReplyDelete
  11. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz20 July 2013 at 05:35

    Now that's a great way to spend a vacation...a lit site and time spent reading the book. Lovely.

    Off to find out more about this book. And I'd like to pin your post to my Pinterest page on Lit Sites, if you don't mind.

    Here's my Saturday Snapshot, a visit to Blue Willow Books to hear children's picture book author and illustrator, John Rocco.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz20 July 2013 at 05:41

    Here's my Pinterest pin for this post. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Elizabeth20 July 2013 at 07:36

    Cute otter. I love the house. Architecture is always my favorite.

    THANKS for sharing.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Saturday Snapshot

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sheila (Bookjourney)20 July 2013 at 08:18

    Love the otter pic!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Irene20 July 2013 at 08:56

    So glad you shared with us. Wonderful that you both read the same book.

    ReplyDelete
  16. westmetromommy20 July 2013 at 12:38

    I love otters! Part of it is because my last name (Ott) just lends itself to Otters. My frequent online name is OtterMommy!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous20 July 2013 at 14:59

    Haven't seen an otter before. Hmm... we have beavers. Maybe this is not Otter country here in Alberta, Canada (?)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Paulita 20 July 2013 at 19:46

    Great shot of the otter. I hadn't heard of the book before. I'll look for it. Here's Mine

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous21 July 2013 at 15:41

    I haven't heard of Tarka the Otter before. Although I don't like sad stories, I may have to check it out because of it being a realistic portrayal of animals. The novel to which you compared it, Watership Down, is actually one of my favorite books.

    ReplyDelete