A review by topdragon
Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

4.0

I had never even heard of this book (or seen the Disney movie that was later made from it) until my brother handed it to me and suggested I give it a try. The cover says it is "non-fiction" as well as "The Incredible True Story..." but apparently that has come under some cloud of doubt with many experts in the study of wolves purporting it to be a largely fictionalized account. Regardless, it's publication in 1963 did go a long way in changing the public's perception of wolves, toward the positive.

As for the book itself, I found it a fairly quick but enjoyable read. The author includes a great deal of humor in his writing whether in portraying the behavior of wolves in the wild or the behavior of government officials in Ottawa. It's an impactful story, surprising in some aspects and very touching in others. It certainly felt "real" to me as I read it and it is easy to see how it could impact public perception as much as it has. My recommendation is to ignore the questions of its authenticity and just go with it. After all, the message is the same either way and a great message it is.