Farley Mowat

I see that Farley Mowat died on this date in 2014 and that got me to thinking about all the great books he wrote in his extensive career. He was not without his detractors, though, primarily because he "never let the facts get in the way of truth". He could be devastatingly funny (as in The Boat that Wouldn't Float) but also deadly serious (as in People of the Deer). Whatever subject he wrote about was always interesting and he did a lot to bring attention to environmental concerns. In 1985, when he was promoting his book Sea of Slaughter, he was denied entry to the US on the basis that he was thought to be a "Communist sympathizer". That law was overturned in 1990 but US customs seem to have lots of other reasons to refuse entry now.

I think the book that made the most impact on me was A Whale for the Killing which was about a right whale that got stranded in a Newfoundland lake and was then target practice for locals. Very sad story.

Do you have a favourite book by Farley?

I've only read Never Cry Wolf, but it's a strong one for rehabilitating the wolf's reputation. They aren't the horrible creatures that fairy tales have made them out to be. Though I did have cause to wonder about the facts/truth balance in places. The film version is entertaining.

Owls in the Family was always my favourite. My kids loved it too. In fact, they wanted to read a sequel, as most of the books they read were part of series and they were surprised it was a stand alone.

I liked both of those books. My kids, too, liked the one about the owls.

>2 Cecrow: Mowat did admit later in life that some of the story was made up but not the essential facts about wolves consuming mostly smaller animals and if they did target caribou it was animals that were sick or injured.

I've read a few and it's been a while, so I don't think I can choose a favourite.

I had hoped to read Sea of Slaughter last month, though. With my eye, I didn't get to it, but I still hope to get to it soon.

The Dog Who Wouldn't Be is on my bookshelf, waiting to be read (I'm trying to make a point of reading dog books). I haven't read much of his stuff otherwise, but I certainly know the name. His Lost in the Barrens is one of the few elementary school reads that I remember.

>7 WeeTurtle: That's a great book. I challenge you to not laugh out loud at least once.

Lost in the Barrens was a fave of mine in middle school; discovered it on my own after moving back to Canada from London. I later adored The Boat Who Wouldn't Float; it still makes me laugh so much I get hiccups.

My grandparents were friendly with Mowat's mother in Toronto, and i have a signed copy of A Whale for. the Killing among my books.