chapter1_page1's review
4.0
⭐️ 4 ⭐️
What a wonderful read; not just for the Young Adult audience, but perfect for ancient adults like me too!
A beautiful story about two runaways: 15-year-old Samuel Miles (also known as Smiler), who has absconded from a miserable life in a reform school, and Yarra, a cheetah who has escaped from Longleat Wildlife Park.
Originally published in 1972, The Runaways is a story of survival, friendship and belonging. It features some wonderful characters, who all add their own charm to this delightful tale.
Told from the perspectives of Samuel and Yarra. I particularly enjoyed Yarra’s narrative; I was rooting for her as she adapted to living her new life in the wild. It certainly doesn’t sugar-coat how an animal has to kill to survive.
Canning was obviously extremely passionate and knowledgeable about wildlife and nature; I could clearly visualise the landscape and the vast array of flora and fauna from his detailed prose.
Overall, a lovely, old-fashioned uplifting story, heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Perfect for any adult, be they young or old.
The Runaways is the first book in the ‘Smiler’ trilogy, I’m already looking forward to catching up with Samuel on his next adventure.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
What a wonderful read; not just for the Young Adult audience, but perfect for ancient adults like me too!
A beautiful story about two runaways: 15-year-old Samuel Miles (also known as Smiler), who has absconded from a miserable life in a reform school, and Yarra, a cheetah who has escaped from Longleat Wildlife Park.
Originally published in 1972, The Runaways is a story of survival, friendship and belonging. It features some wonderful characters, who all add their own charm to this delightful tale.
Told from the perspectives of Samuel and Yarra. I particularly enjoyed Yarra’s narrative; I was rooting for her as she adapted to living her new life in the wild. It certainly doesn’t sugar-coat how an animal has to kill to survive.
Canning was obviously extremely passionate and knowledgeable about wildlife and nature; I could clearly visualise the landscape and the vast array of flora and fauna from his detailed prose.
Overall, a lovely, old-fashioned uplifting story, heartbreaking yet heartwarming. Perfect for any adult, be they young or old.
The Runaways is the first book in the ‘Smiler’ trilogy, I’m already looking forward to catching up with Samuel on his next adventure.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
maireaad1's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for giving me the 2021 edition eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Runaways tells the story of two lonely creatures who escape from captivity: Smiler, wrongly convicted of stealing, and Yarra, a cheetah who has escaped the Longleat Wild Life Park.
As well as a story of survival, The Runaways is a story of friendship and belonging. Canning ties the lives of the two escapees together masterfully, as they both fight for survival on the Salisbury Plain.
My favourite thing about this book was the descriptions of nature and animals. It is so beautifully written and it has a depth and maturity to it that I haven’t read in children’s literature before. Smiler and Yarra’s characters were also very well-developed and unique. I especially enjoyed reading from Yarra’s perspective.
Although I do think it was a little slow at times, I’m glad a new edition is being published as it is a heartwarming story which can be enjoyed by all ages.
The Runaways tells the story of two lonely creatures who escape from captivity: Smiler, wrongly convicted of stealing, and Yarra, a cheetah who has escaped the Longleat Wild Life Park.
As well as a story of survival, The Runaways is a story of friendship and belonging. Canning ties the lives of the two escapees together masterfully, as they both fight for survival on the Salisbury Plain.
My favourite thing about this book was the descriptions of nature and animals. It is so beautifully written and it has a depth and maturity to it that I haven’t read in children’s literature before. Smiler and Yarra’s characters were also very well-developed and unique. I especially enjoyed reading from Yarra’s perspective.
Although I do think it was a little slow at times, I’m glad a new edition is being published as it is a heartwarming story which can be enjoyed by all ages.
dragonflylee's review
4.0
An escaped cheetah and a boy running from reform school. Both escapees. Their story makes a good story. Fiction
jaironside's review
4.0
3.5-4 stars roughly.
I read this originally at school a long time ago, then wondered if I'd imagined it as I couldn't find it anywhere. A lot of Victor Canning's works have been republished on kindle so I eventually tracked it down. In all honesty it's not as good as I remembered as a child. I'm sure that's not entirely the books fault - tastes do mature and change. It is still a good read and pretty good adventure story.
The parallels between Smiler, wrongly detained at a correctional school and now escaped, and Yarra, a pregnant cheetah escaped from Longleat safari park, are well woven together. The still of the time was to have quite a distant, descriptive narrative voice which I find doesn't really do much for me anymore - I like to experience a story not be 'told' it. In that respect I think this is somewhat dated.
However it still has a lot going for it. Canning's prose is precise and replete with evocative description. The story is sound and tightly woven with a satisfying, though not unmitigatedly happy, ending. A lot of its charm for me, however, was the fact that Canning sets the story in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire - three counties that I know extremely well as I grew up in the area. I knew exactly where Canning was describing when he talked of an area so my rating should be considered under the light of personal nostalgia as well!
This is still a great story for children 10 years and up, and of course anyone who grew up in that area. It's the first book of a trilogy but stands well on it's own. I did pick up the sequels but I'm not in a tearing hurry to read them just yet. I'll no doubt pick them up in the future. Not bad for an older book.
I read this originally at school a long time ago, then wondered if I'd imagined it as I couldn't find it anywhere. A lot of Victor Canning's works have been republished on kindle so I eventually tracked it down. In all honesty it's not as good as I remembered as a child. I'm sure that's not entirely the books fault - tastes do mature and change. It is still a good read and pretty good adventure story.
The parallels between Smiler, wrongly detained at a correctional school and now escaped, and Yarra, a pregnant cheetah escaped from Longleat safari park, are well woven together. The still of the time was to have quite a distant, descriptive narrative voice which I find doesn't really do much for me anymore - I like to experience a story not be 'told' it. In that respect I think this is somewhat dated.
However it still has a lot going for it. Canning's prose is precise and replete with evocative description. The story is sound and tightly woven with a satisfying, though not unmitigatedly happy, ending. A lot of its charm for me, however, was the fact that Canning sets the story in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire - three counties that I know extremely well as I grew up in the area. I knew exactly where Canning was describing when he talked of an area so my rating should be considered under the light of personal nostalgia as well!
This is still a great story for children 10 years and up, and of course anyone who grew up in that area. It's the first book of a trilogy but stands well on it's own. I did pick up the sequels but I'm not in a tearing hurry to read them just yet. I'll no doubt pick them up in the future. Not bad for an older book.
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