debbiecuddy's review
5.0
Book bingo-Non-human protagonist
I read this sometime when I was in elementary school, but all I remember is sitting with my mother, crying and talking about it between sobs. This is not the cute Disney story, but a more real story of the cycle of life in the forest. There were many beautiful passages that described nature, one of my favorites was the conversation between the last two leaves on a tree as fall turned to winter. This is a book that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
I read this sometime when I was in elementary school, but all I remember is sitting with my mother, crying and talking about it between sobs. This is not the cute Disney story, but a more real story of the cycle of life in the forest. There were many beautiful passages that described nature, one of my favorites was the conversation between the last two leaves on a tree as fall turned to winter. This is a book that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
sulzberger's review
5.0
Felix Salten molto meglio di Walt Disney
Un piccolo grande libro. Poi banalizzato nel cartone. Parla della natura e della vita come sono.
Fra le righe... un manualetto di eco-etologia del capriolo. Gioiellino.
Un piccolo grande libro. Poi banalizzato nel cartone. Parla della natura e della vita come sono.
Fra le righe... un manualetto di eco-etologia del capriolo. Gioiellino.
julierasmine's review
4.0
Skønt gensyn med en elsket historie. Flotte illustrationer som virkelig sætter stemningen, som man kender det fra Disney.
mikyoung's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
little_raven's review
4.0
Tras el anuncio de Disney de que iban a m̶a̶s̶a̶c̶r̶a̶r̶ hacer una nueva versión de una de las películas más clásicas de su catálogo, decidi leer la novela escrita por Felix Salten en 1923, en la que teóricamente está basado el film de 1942.
⠀
Lo primero que llama la atención es que los animales actúan, bueno, como animales. No hay patinaje en el hielo, no hay enamoramiento, ni zorrinos coquetos. No todos se llevan bien, algunos dan muerte a otros para obtener alimento y no es raro encontrar menciones de sangre aquí y allá. Como en la naturaleza misma, vamos. Celebro que el autor haya mantenido estas características, incluso en mayor medida que en otros clásicos naturalistas como La Colina de Watership (aunque la narración en esta última sea mucho más dinámica). El punto de vista de cada especie, su sistema de jerarquías, la falta de un sentido de sociedad, el instinto de conservación; todo está muy bien logrado.
⠀
Otra diferencia es la presencia de los humanos. Mientras que en la película la cacería es un suceso eventual, en el libro hay una tensión constante. A los hombres se los llama colectivamente «Él», reflejándose así la concepción de que son una fuerza más poderosa que cualquier otra cosa en el bosque. No obstante lo cual, Bambi termina comprendiendo que incluso ellos están sujetos a las mismas leyes universales que el resto de los seres vivos.
⠀
Hasta el mensaje final se ve alterado. La moraleja de la película es que la naturaleza puede ser cruel, pero que mientras estés unido a tu familia y amigos, todo será color de rosa. El de Salten, que la lucha es parte de la vida, y que seguramente tengas que hacer sacrificios para sobrevivir.
⠀
Ah, no hay incendio en el libro, pero el epílogo es una genialidad.
⠀
Lo primero que llama la atención es que los animales actúan, bueno, como animales. No hay patinaje en el hielo, no hay enamoramiento, ni zorrinos coquetos. No todos se llevan bien, algunos dan muerte a otros para obtener alimento y no es raro encontrar menciones de sangre aquí y allá. Como en la naturaleza misma, vamos. Celebro que el autor haya mantenido estas características, incluso en mayor medida que en otros clásicos naturalistas como La Colina de Watership (aunque la narración en esta última sea mucho más dinámica). El punto de vista de cada especie, su sistema de jerarquías, la falta de un sentido de sociedad, el instinto de conservación; todo está muy bien logrado.
⠀
Otra diferencia es la presencia de los humanos. Mientras que en la película la cacería es un suceso eventual, en el libro hay una tensión constante. A los hombres se los llama colectivamente «Él», reflejándose así la concepción de que son una fuerza más poderosa que cualquier otra cosa en el bosque. No obstante lo cual, Bambi termina comprendiendo que incluso ellos están sujetos a las mismas leyes universales que el resto de los seres vivos.
⠀
Hasta el mensaje final se ve alterado. La moraleja de la película es que la naturaleza puede ser cruel, pero que mientras estés unido a tu familia y amigos, todo será color de rosa. El de Salten, que la lucha es parte de la vida, y que seguramente tengas que hacer sacrificios para sobrevivir.
⠀
Ah, no hay incendio en el libro, pero el epílogo es una genialidad.
readingthethings's review against another edition
5.0
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* i read this out loud with my mother ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* sobbing happened ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* i adore the woodsy setting ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* i would definitely read more by this author ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
levelstory's review against another edition
5.0
The reason I picked up Bambi is because I am now on a Disney critical discussion podcast and feel it is appropriate to read the original texts that Disney would later adapt. I have now since read Snow White, The Snow Queen, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and am currently reading the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I'm not reading these books to see how the original stories are better. I come from both sides of the pond in the argument between book purists and Hollywood gurus. 99% of the time I would be on the book purist side...but then there are Disney movies and I'm actually a big supporter of Disney and what they do, so coming at the issue from this angle is challenging for me because I am starting to see why some complain that Disney ruins their favorite story. That being said, I do not believe that Bambi was ruined by Disney.
Bambi is a story written by Felix Salten about a young deer growing up in the woods. It is a coming of age narrative in which Bambi must learn to face the harsh reality of life amidst such beauty and majesty within the space that surrounds him. He grows from a curious young fawn to the wise Prince of the forest. The book places heavy emphasis on a character called "He" who the deer believe to be a three armed creature who creates a thunderous clap and one of their own ends up dead straight afterwards. From the very beginning when Bambi's mother takes him to the meadow, Bambi is taught to be cautious and to run when his mother runs and to be on the lookout. Many of Bambi's relations are killed by "He", including his mother which is known to be one of the saddest moments in Disney history. The forest that surrounds Bambi is alive. The leaves speak to each other just as the birds speak to one another. It seems to have been the choice of Salten to make the forest alive to make the reality of "He" that much more real. The Disney film has often been referred to as a nature preservation activist statement. Neither the book nor the film shy away from painting man in a really really awful light...and just when they seem to be redeemed, something awful happens that ruins their image to the reader once and for all. Since Salten humanizes the forest and the animals, a strong bond is formed between them and the reader and the reader grows to sympathize. After all, that is what good story telling is all about - seeing something from another perspective and learning to sympathize with that particular situation.
As I said above, the novel is very much a coming of age story. Ultimately, as the reader gets further and further into the text it is learned that Bambi must one day take the place of the great Prince of the forest, his father. Through his circumstances Bambi gradually becomes more and more distant from his own kind and instead grows close to the great Prince who he admires dearly and the forest itself, where life blooms but is quiet and reflective without forcing interaction. Bambi was always destined to become the great Prince though he never was aware of the fact - his circumstances led him to it. The great Prince before him seems to have carefully planned Bambi's development to one day take his place. This reminds me of Dumbledore from Harry Potter, who we learn from the very beginning when Harry obtained his scar had a plan to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort.
Now, I did make the statement that the Disney movie does not ruin the book and I am sticking to that statement. The film deviates from the original text in small ways - for example, it takes out a lot of characters that don't need to be there for the movie. They work for the book but it is hard to keep up on screen. Another deviation is that there is no fire in the book...though Bambi does get shot. What I think the film captures from the book is the very peaceful and reflective tone. The film is unlike it's predecessors which are very much based on structure and plot while this story focuses on the characters and the poignant beauty of their world. For example, in the film we hear the beautiful music that coincides perfectly with the rain storm and see a wide array of colors depicting the landscape in which Bambi resides. I listened to a commentary of the film earlier this year and the two gentlemen watching this film kept complaining about how boring it was because of the long shots of the leaves falling to the water or the long scene where Bambi and his mother search for food in the winter but I actually love these small touches to the movie. It gives the viewer that much more perspective and lets them digest everything that is happening. Stories like Pinocchio and Dumbo seem to move very quickly while Bambi decides to take things in a slow pace and I really like it. The book is very slow as well...a fast read but a nice and slow pace. I always felt very satisfied when I finished reading a chapter.
Is this book quality? Absolutely. I would recommend it to one and all, whether you be a Disney fan or a nature activist or a children's lit lover or maybe even just a book lover. The book is wonderful and it makes me rather sad to know that so little people have read it. I will also clarify that I don't blame Disney for the fact that so many people don't read the original text. Yes Disney dominates the screen but they aren't at fault for people being lazy and not doing research. This book is an A++!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Bambi is a story written by Felix Salten about a young deer growing up in the woods. It is a coming of age narrative in which Bambi must learn to face the harsh reality of life amidst such beauty and majesty within the space that surrounds him. He grows from a curious young fawn to the wise Prince of the forest. The book places heavy emphasis on a character called "He" who the deer believe to be a three armed creature who creates a thunderous clap and one of their own ends up dead straight afterwards. From the very beginning when Bambi's mother takes him to the meadow, Bambi is taught to be cautious and to run when his mother runs and to be on the lookout. Many of Bambi's relations are killed by "He", including his mother which is known to be one of the saddest moments in Disney history. The forest that surrounds Bambi is alive. The leaves speak to each other just as the birds speak to one another. It seems to have been the choice of Salten to make the forest alive to make the reality of "He" that much more real. The Disney film has often been referred to as a nature preservation activist statement. Neither the book nor the film shy away from painting man in a really really awful light...and just when they seem to be redeemed, something awful happens that ruins their image to the reader once and for all. Since Salten humanizes the forest and the animals, a strong bond is formed between them and the reader and the reader grows to sympathize. After all, that is what good story telling is all about - seeing something from another perspective and learning to sympathize with that particular situation.
As I said above, the novel is very much a coming of age story. Ultimately, as the reader gets further and further into the text it is learned that Bambi must one day take the place of the great Prince of the forest, his father. Through his circumstances Bambi gradually becomes more and more distant from his own kind and instead grows close to the great Prince who he admires dearly and the forest itself, where life blooms but is quiet and reflective without forcing interaction. Bambi was always destined to become the great Prince though he never was aware of the fact - his circumstances led him to it. The great Prince before him seems to have carefully planned Bambi's development to one day take his place. This reminds me of Dumbledore from Harry Potter, who we learn from the very beginning when Harry obtained his scar had a plan to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort.
Now, I did make the statement that the Disney movie does not ruin the book and I am sticking to that statement. The film deviates from the original text in small ways - for example, it takes out a lot of characters that don't need to be there for the movie. They work for the book but it is hard to keep up on screen. Another deviation is that there is no fire in the book...though Bambi does get shot. What I think the film captures from the book is the very peaceful and reflective tone. The film is unlike it's predecessors which are very much based on structure and plot while this story focuses on the characters and the poignant beauty of their world. For example, in the film we hear the beautiful music that coincides perfectly with the rain storm and see a wide array of colors depicting the landscape in which Bambi resides. I listened to a commentary of the film earlier this year and the two gentlemen watching this film kept complaining about how boring it was because of the long shots of the leaves falling to the water or the long scene where Bambi and his mother search for food in the winter but I actually love these small touches to the movie. It gives the viewer that much more perspective and lets them digest everything that is happening. Stories like Pinocchio and Dumbo seem to move very quickly while Bambi decides to take things in a slow pace and I really like it. The book is very slow as well...a fast read but a nice and slow pace. I always felt very satisfied when I finished reading a chapter.
Is this book quality? Absolutely. I would recommend it to one and all, whether you be a Disney fan or a nature activist or a children's lit lover or maybe even just a book lover. The book is wonderful and it makes me rather sad to know that so little people have read it. I will also clarify that I don't blame Disney for the fact that so many people don't read the original text. Yes Disney dominates the screen but they aren't at fault for people being lazy and not doing research. This book is an A++!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
ayavandenbussche's review
5.0
In some ways I feel this book has helped me face the trauma that the film has left in me. After reading the book Disney's film is a walk in the park.
It is both beautiful and brutal and the book has no mercy and it doesn't let go. There is so much death, but also loneliness, harsh loneliness. Perhaps my one complaint, and it is not really that important, is that Bambi has some kind of unnecessary religious epiphany, the book is stronger without it. I do feel this is one of the few places in which anthromorphism doesn't really work, it is a bit forced, but it doesn't take away from this incredible book. In all other ways it is such a great book for the trying to get into the animals world, like instead of calling the hunters, Man like the do in the film, they refer to it as He, the blurred sense of time, there are insect who talk of living to see two a three sunrises, which is for them a very long time, and sometimes you just don't know how much time has passed between chapters. The survival and other instinct, all feel true.
It was written in 1923 and still feels poignant and effective almost a hundred years later.
It is both beautiful and brutal and the book has no mercy and it doesn't let go. There is so much death, but also loneliness, harsh loneliness. Perhaps my one complaint, and it is not really that important, is that Bambi has some kind of unnecessary religious epiphany, the book is stronger without it. I do feel this is one of the few places in which anthromorphism doesn't really work, it is a bit forced, but it doesn't take away from this incredible book. In all other ways it is such a great book for the trying to get into the animals world, like instead of calling the hunters, Man like the do in the film, they refer to it as He, the blurred sense of time, there are insect who talk of living to see two a three sunrises, which is for them a very long time, and sometimes you just don't know how much time has passed between chapters. The survival and other instinct, all feel true.
It was written in 1923 and still feels poignant and effective almost a hundred years later.
kaitykat's review against another edition
5.0
Well this was quite dark! ‘Bambi’ was not what I expected, no cute blushing skunks here! Rather, it tells how reality is for animals within the forests and how they attempt to survive not only the harshness of their surroundings but also humans, the worst threat of all. This book had ‘Watership Down’ vibes to it, and it does not shy away from on page animal death. It was gritty and real, but also a beautiful little tale.