THE FOREST IN THE WIND

by Mitchell Jayne ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1966

The story vacillates between realistic descriptions of untamed wildlife and anthropomorphism. The transitions are quite smooth, and the personalities of the animals are generally consistent with their natural qualities; however, many of the discussions among them fail to seem significant despite their serious tone. Apparently the animals all live in a part of the wilderness which is beginning to be affected by the start of the movement of Americans toward the West. The first human family has just moved into their part of the forest. Rumor has it that instead of fitting in with their natural surroundings, they'll just keep expanding and destroying the forest--and the animals are right. Humans are shown in the poorest light here and it is the fox, the animal which is the most humanized, who is the central character. From an old buck deer he learns to be wary of the man who has moved in, and a wolf teaches him to outsmart the man's traps. The fox does lose his vixen, and his den, but he feels assured that he can make a new start and that wildlife cannot be completely destroyed. Life on the hoof seems exaggeratedly idyllic here, but there are some good animal descriptions.

Pub Date: May 1, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1966

Categories: FICTION