Daren
Maxwells third book of the Ring of Bright Water trilogy.
If you consider Ring of Bright Water is the introduction to Maxwell's otters, who are, lets face it, the stars of the show, and The Rocks Remain as providing the follow up of the otter's lives, then this book is the story of Maxwell's property Camusfearna in the books, but readily identified, unfortunately for Maxwell who received all sorts of visitors and interference after publishing the first book.
Maxwell tells us the origins of the name of this book as he sits on a hill above his property, trying to piece together how he can go on: P16
A single raven swept by, high on the hustling wind, his deep guttural croaks almost muted by its force. I remember how Wilfred Thesiger had once told me that when a camel caravan in Southern Arabia would sight a single raven overhead the Bedouin would attempt to annul the evil omen by calling to it, "Raven, seek thy brother!" It seemed too late now for that invocation.
And is an early indicator of the disasters and sadness Maxwell shares in this book.
It is hard not to have sympathy for Gavin Maxwell, and the complex events of his life. He is certainly an eccentric man, he is without very dedicated to the animals he bonds with, and has had more than his fair share of misfortune.
There is remarkable little in this book about the otters, other than Maxwells desperate struggle to rehome them in a sanctuary or zoo, and he final few chapters. It is more about bringing more structure and some of the goings on in the background that he wasn't able to share in the second book. His constant trouble with financing the property, the animals and his other attempts are revenue are documented well in this book. It seems he was taken advantage of and his trust, which was being managed by others was mis-managed, reducing his finances to zero. His other schemes to bring industry and use to the lighthouse properties he bought, for example just never got off the ground and those he employed to establish them didn't achieve the outcome and just left while Maxwell was overseas or tucked away writing, trying to meet his publishing commitments.
The Land Rover accident that initially seemed minor almost meant amputation of his foot, but instead was months of medical care and rehabilitation, preventing him from progressing other options that were to earn him money to save his property and lifestyle. This wasn't the only medical issue, and he went through a long stressful process when he was identified as possibly having lung cancer. After a long process he was cleared of this, however he was to die of lung cancer around a year after this book was published, in a sad end to events.
I won't delve more into the details.
4 stars
Maxwells third book of the Ring of Bright Water trilogy.
If you consider Ring of Bright Water is the introduction to Maxwell's otters, who are, lets face it, the stars of the show, and The Rocks Remain as providing the follow up of the otter's lives, then this book is the story of Maxwell's property Camusfearna in the books, but readily identified, unfortunately for Maxwell who received all sorts of visitors and interference after publishing the first book.
Maxwell tells us the origins of the name of this book as he sits on a hill above his property, trying to piece together how he can go on: P16
A single raven swept by, high on the hustling wind, his deep guttural croaks almost muted by its force. I remember how Wilfred Thesiger had once told me that when a camel caravan in Southern Arabia would sight a single raven overhead the Bedouin would attempt to annul the evil omen by calling to it, "Raven, seek thy brother!" It seemed too late now for that invocation.
And is an early indicator of the disasters and sadness Maxwell shares in this book.
It is hard not to have sympathy for Gavin Maxwell, and the complex events of his life. He is certainly an eccentric man, he is without very dedicated to the animals he bonds with, and has had more than his fair share of misfortune.
There is remarkable little in this book about the otters, other than Maxwells desperate struggle to rehome them in a sanctuary or zoo, and he final few chapters. It is more about bringing more structure and some of the goings on in the background that he wasn't able to share in the second book. His constant trouble with financing the property, the animals and his other attempts are revenue are documented well in this book. It seems he was taken advantage of and his trust, which was being managed by others was mis-managed, reducing his finances to zero. His other schemes to bring industry and use to the lighthouse properties he bought, for example just never got off the ground and those he employed to establish them didn't achieve the outcome and just left while Maxwell was overseas or tucked away writing, trying to meet his publishing commitments.
The Land Rover accident that initially seemed minor almost meant amputation of his foot, but instead was months of medical care and rehabilitation, preventing him from progressing other options that were to earn him money to save his property and lifestyle. This wasn't the only medical issue, and he went through a long stressful process when he was identified as possibly having lung cancer. After a long process he was cleared of this, however he was to die of lung cancer around a year after this book was published, in a sad end to events.
I won't delve more into the details.
4 stars