J. C. TregarthenCritiques

This is a year in the life of a hare as he grows up with his mum and sister, then strikes out on his own in the wilds of Cornwall. He faces many perils, such as stoats, badgers, and foxes, not to mention humans. The author set this story about a century before his own time to allow the hare a wilder setting to roam in, and his depiction of the hare feels true to nature. The descriptions are vivid, the hares adorable, and the chase scenes tense.

If you liked Richard Adams’s Watership Down, or if you liked it but didn’t like the violence of the rabbit fights, you might like this too. And yes, I know that rabbits and hares are two different animals. Rabbits actually make an appearance in this book too. But really, I am a fan of stories involving any members of the order Lagomorpha.

The Life Story of a Badger is a quaint book written in 1925 that falls somewhere between non fiction and fiction. Whilst it's the fictionalised account of a badger's life it is clearly well researched and gives a good picture of what a badger of the time lived through.

One can't help feel the wonder of adventure, exploration, fear & triumph as you progress through the story, there's some sad moments, some puzzling moments yet overall an enjoyable tale.

Suitable for both young and old if you've ever wondered about the life of a critter this book is for you. Also just a good tale for those interested in a general sweeping picture of life in the 1920s.½