Ring of Bright Water

I was lucky enough to pick up a box set of Maxwell's Ring of Brightwater trilogy, along with his House of Elrig, book a few years ago in good condition, on the basis of having enjoyed his A Reed Shaken by the Wind a lot.
Finally I got to this first book, not really knowing what to expect, other than the short crossover in A Reed... where he obtains his first otter cub. There are a few spoilers below, so if you are put off by these, then perhaps curtail your reading now...

The first half of this book explains Maxwell's remote property (called Camusfearna in the book, but not its real name) in Scotlands Western Highlands, and explaining in great detail its surroundings, and his peaceful existence there with Jonnie the spaniel. And then somewhat suddenly he introduces his short story about his first otter in Iraq, and then the obtaining of his second otter Mijbil, also from Iraq and the one year and one day spent with him. It explains the steep learning curve both parties went through, with an otter in semi-captivity.
Along the way Mijbil's sub species is clarified as not previously named, and so it became Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli.

And after Mijbil passed away, Maxwell explains the circumstances in which the only couple in the UK with an otter they need to re-home, bumps into the only man in the UK who is desperately seeking an otter. And then Maxwell explains the transition of his second otter Edal into his care.

Amongst the otter stories, Maxwell shares more of his own thoughts, and his other numerous animal adoptions, including a lemur, a bushbaby, 4 geese, and a wildcat!

Overall, Maxwell comes across as charming, eccentric and his appreciation of animals and birds is obvious. There can be various criticisms levelled at him for his attempts at domesticating wild animals, but I believe Maxwell was leading change in animal welfare and treatment, and it is unreasonable to judge him in recent terms. He writes incredibly well in describing the landscapes, flora and fauna and he delights in sharing it in his writing. To describe this book in one word I would use charming.

5 stars from me.