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bosswench's review against another edition
4.0
I grew up watching Homeward Bound, a 90s kid movie staple loosely based on this novel. But, what I loved most about The Incredible Journey was how unlike Homeward Bound it is in terms of characterization of the pets we're following. These animals are, fundamentally, animals. Sheila Burnford respects the dogness of dog and catness of cat not to put human thoughts in their heads. She anthropomorphizes very little, and so we, the readers, are granted this really incredible experience of reading this really incredible journey about creatures familiar to us, yet with motives and drives and "thoughts" so unlike our own. It's not cutesy. It's riveting and heartbreaking.
abbyynormal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
meginsanity's review against another edition
4.0
I was six years old when the remake of The Incredible Journey, Homeward Bound, came out. I loved it, even if the portrayal of Shadow always managed to make me sad. (So old and devoted and wise... I still remember the end, when he comes home, and... okay, okay, I'll stop...)
This book is very different from the movie. There's still two dogs and a cat, but their personalities are different and the reason for their journey has also changed. This book is very calmly paced. I won't say it's slow, because it keeps you reading, but it's certainly sedate. What happens happens at its own pace. The world is very different - at times it seemed older even than the 1960s when it was published. The author offers interesting insights into the people of Canada and the history of the dog and cat breeds in the book, but the description of the animals' actions is where he really shines. He captured the personalities and movements of each animal so well - especially Tao the Siamese cat. Even though they don't talk, they really do come alive on the page.
And yes, I might have teared up a little at the end...
This book is very different from the movie. There's still two dogs and a cat, but their personalities are different and the reason for their journey has also changed. This book is very calmly paced. I won't say it's slow, because it keeps you reading, but it's certainly sedate. What happens happens at its own pace. The world is very different - at times it seemed older even than the 1960s when it was published. The author offers interesting insights into the people of Canada and the history of the dog and cat breeds in the book, but the description of the animals' actions is where he really shines. He captured the personalities and movements of each animal so well - especially Tao the Siamese cat. Even though they don't talk, they really do come alive on the page.
And yes, I might have teared up a little at the end...
hjswinford's review against another edition
5.0
What happiness. It had been many years since I last read this book, but the movie is one of my favorites. Even though the film and the book are quite different in many ways, the heart is the same and it was fun to see the tidbits here and there that made it into the movie. It is heartwarming and lovely.
calcifer93's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
batmayne_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Canadian classic!
Like most 90s babys/kids i grew up with Homeward Bound and was excited to read its inspiration
I have seen the Canadian version once and it is closer to the original source
In the American version its Shadow the old Lab, Sassy the Cat and Chance the pitbull baby
In the Canadian movie and Book its Bodger the old terrior, Tao the Simese Cat and Luath the Lab puppy(1 year old)
Its storyline is alittle harder to understand but the pets were left with a family friend as they move and the pets venture off to find their family, in the book Luath is leading them to his puppy breeding farm the family got him from and sets off into the Canadian wilderness
This is an amazing, heartfelt, educational and Incredible Journey to go on!
Like most 90s babys/kids i grew up with Homeward Bound and was excited to read its inspiration
I have seen the Canadian version once and it is closer to the original source
In the American version its Shadow the old Lab, Sassy the Cat and Chance the pitbull baby
In the Canadian movie and Book its Bodger the old terrior, Tao the Simese Cat and Luath the Lab puppy(1 year old)
Its storyline is alittle harder to understand but the pets were left with a family friend as they move and the pets venture off to find their family, in the book Luath is leading them to his puppy breeding farm the family got him from and sets off into the Canadian wilderness
This is an amazing, heartfelt, educational and Incredible Journey to go on!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
This was published in 1960 the author is also from Scotland and moved to Canada in 1951, she uses the term Indian instead of Native or Indigenous or even putting in some time and effort to learn the Indigenous Tribes of the areawitchywilds's review against another edition
3.0
It was $2 and I never read it as a kid so I just had to give it a go! Not a whole lot to talk about with this one honestly. The cat was my favorite and I really respect the author's decision not to have the animals "speak!"
rsf086's review against another edition
Iris lost interest because not the same as movie
alisegrant's review against another edition
5.0
Preread this for my girl's schooling; they're going to read it as a literature selection. It is fabulous, beautifully written, emotionally compelling, exciting--thrilling even--in many parts. It's the basis for one of my favorite movies growing up, Homeward Bound, and as much as I love that movie, the book is even better and more interesting. I'm excited for my girls to read it, I suspect it will be a favorite.