Sally Carrighar (1898–1985)

Review: Icebound Summer by Sally Carrighar.

This was an amazing, adventurous, and captivating read. It was an older read (1951) but I find so many old written books that are fabulous. I like reading classics and they most of the time they are unforgettable. This book is also educational with information on animal behavior. Every chapter the reader is introduced to a different artic animal and their interaction to the environment and human beings.

The different animals covered in this book are caribou, walrus, humpback whale, loons, foxes, seals, lemmings and etc…It’s a way of learning about these animals and their habitat. The author explains with a clear observation and the condition of life, species, and with great compassion almost from an animal’s perspective.… (more)

"Enter a new and absorbing world ...

"the world of the animals and birds who live in the Teton mountains of Wyoming. This is the world of the patient naturalist, content to watch and record, observe and reflect. This is the world of Sally Carrighar, one of America's best and most deservedly-loved naturalists and writers. Sensitive and wise, Sally Carrighar builds her drama of animals caught in the sudden hostility of winter with sureness and skill, involving the reader in all the perils and pursuits that nature brings."
~~frontispiece

The author's style is to have a short chapter for every animal or insect where the book is located. This book was interesting as it was mostly small animals & insects that had a chapter, with the exception of the moose. The day is the autumnal equinox, and many of the animals and insects are getting ready for winter: stocking up on food, finding safe spots to ride out the winter.

However, a large storm from the north topples the dead snag that's the foundation of the beaver dam at one end. Of course the dam is breeched and drains, which is a major catastrophe for many of the ponds inhabitants.

I read her One Day on Beetle Rock and enjoyed it immensely. This one, not so much. I think the difference is in the scale of the animals & insects: this book tended towards the smaller and lesser known: amphibians, leeches, Physa snail, mosquito, mice, etc. However, my heart is in the Grand Tetons since my maternal great-grand uncle was one of the mountain men who helped open the area up. So I'll keep this book, if only for that reason alone.… (more)

Yeah - this did not work for me. The preface burbles over about what wonderful naturalist observations are in the book - but the actual story has some observations and a heck of a lot of anthropomorphism. What they do, cool - why they do it and what they're thinking while they do it is...well, silly. And cutesy, despite several hunts and deaths. It also pretends to be "one day", but misses on some of the interactions - when did the cubs go up the tree, from the bear's point of view? Eh. I'd have enjoyed it more if it were truly about the long observations she clearly did.… (more)