Bambi

There should be a curse on Disney. What those folks did to Salten's Bambi is a literary crime. Forget Disney's stupid Thumper the rabbit and the skunk, and just about everything else in the Disney version. Bambi is one heckeva allegory touching on many human themes.There are big issues in the original Salten work like government dependence, note the scene with the hunter's dog and the wounded fox. There are small vignettes like Bambi noting that Faline, the love of his life, is showing age and certainly no longer young. There's the inability of men to share their feelings with wives and children. There is discussion about the brevity of life. And, perhaps most touching is the chapter where the fall leaves are conversing and noting that not many are left. They wonder about falling from the tree and what will happen then, noting no one has ever come back. One leaf, in a white lie like we all tell, assures the other that she still looks vibrant; then she falls. I'm an old man and this always brings me to tears, even as I write this. Yes, there should be a curse on Disney.Buy multiple copies. The paperbacks are cheap and give them as gifts with the admonishment to read the book slowly. It will be one of the best gifts possible.The overall theme of the book noted in both the first and last chapter? "Can't you stand to be alone?" Think about it. . .

I read (possibly a re-read from childhood, though doubtful) this book as part of a summer reading group. It isn't the primary focus, but a work referenced in ”Tending the Heart of Virtue”, by Vigen Guroian.Recalling only vaguely the Disney animated version of the story, I was pleased with the depth of themes and breadth of knowledge the author demonstrates. It is not a Disney love story, nor, properly, an anti-gun, anti-hunting, or anti-violence story. I would characterize it more as a story by a conservationist, especially as one understands the end of the book. The author is quite clear as to what kind of man it is of whom he writes. Also, the author is definitely a person of the woods. No one who is not on intimate terms with the natural created order could show the forest and the creatures as well as this book presents them.As for the virtues, I shall let the reader discern the characteristics shown in each of the main actors of the book. However, I highly recommend reading the book. It may be the reader will have to find the older edition on Kindle. I could not locate a non-Disnified version in the libraries and second hand stores around my area.

I think this audiobook experience was near life changing. No spoilers, but my partner and I cried and have been talking about it for a week now. The narrator really made the experience. Will probably gift this to others.

Forget the Disney version. This is one brutally dark story. You have to read it to know how it has been utterly gutted by Disney. The conversation between the leaves is truly poignant and heart breaking.

I'm not sure why I got inspired to read this, as it's not at all my usual genre; but I think it had something to do with the movie. Anyway, the book is little like the film and is more of a Watership Down sort of tale. There are scenes that read like a one act play (dying leaves conversing about death as they're blown from the branches!) And there is something very German about the way the animals interact with one another.

Such a beautiful telling. So much better than the movie. I read it 2x in a row. I think I want to read it to my children too❤❤❤

Perfect

Disney's version of "Bambi" has led us to believe that this is a children's story--it is not. This is an exquisitely-written description of forest life from the perspective of the animals who live there. Salten leads us into the deepest woods and shows with compelling beauty the trials of survival, predator/prey relations, and the consequences of human intervention into their world.The brief chapter on a conversation between two oak leaves questioning the concept of mortality as winter approaches should be read from every pulpit in the world.Although it is easy to manipulate the story in order to squeeze tears from the books episodes, it would be a mistake to overlook the striking beauty of Salten's unique prose.

I bought this book after being recommended it in a blog I read, with the feeling that it was going to be a reflection Disney's rendition of the story. However, there was much more to the book than the film; one gets to know the characters in more depth and the storyline is much deeper and more exciting, and entirely different in some places (in a good way). This is in fact THE best book I have ever read. I promised myself before reading it that I wouldn't cry (as I had cried in the movie), but I broke that promise. The print isn't the best quality, but it was still very much readable, so that doesn't really matter!

Absolutely love this book. I first (and last) read it as a child and it left a lasting Impression on me. I've never seen the Disney film and nor do I want to (have seen enough clips over the years).This book is really good as it doesn't shy away from the difficult issues of death and dying and shows the consequences of hunting and man's effect on wildlife.Yes, it is anthromorphic but if that makes children stop and think of the consequences of their actions then it cannot be a bad thing.

This was my favourite book when I was a child but I have never owned a copy. I bought this copy to put this right and also to show it to my grandchildren.

This book was exactly as I expected. It was for my grand daughter when she visits, and had a great reception.

Was so happy I found this book on Amazon as it can be hard to find. I adored this book and reading the original story of Bambi which inspired the Disney version