The Snow Goose: Amazon.ca: Paul Gallico: Books

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Product Description

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-- A newly illustrated 50th anniversary edition of a classic. This brief literary fairy tale of the dark, reclusive hunchback with a gift for love and healing; the timid country girl; and the wounded snow goose that brings them together is undeniably sentimental. Certain aspects of the story may seem dated to today's readers, and they probably won't be drawn to an adult heroine depicted as so primitive and inarticulate that "She did not understand war or what happened in France," and Rhayader must explain it to her "in terms she could understand." The addition of painterly oil illustrations with a suitable romantic quality and an attractive book design make this a handsome package. No doubt, a new generation of young romantics will sigh with satisfying heartbreak as Fritha watches the soaring snow goose that she sees as "the soul of Rhayader taking farewell of her before departing forever." --Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

A stunning new edition of a beloved children’s classic.

On the desolate Essex marshes, a young girl, Fritha, comes to seek help from Philip Rhayader, a recluse who lives in an abandoned lighthouse. She carries in her arms a wounded snow goose that has been storm-tossed across the Atlantic from Canada. Fritha is frightened of Rhayader, but he is gentler than his appearance suggests and nurses the goose back to health. Over the following months and years, Fritha visits the lighthouse when the snow goose is there. And every summer, when it flies away, Thayader is left alone once more.

The Snow Goose is set in the years running up to the evacuation of Dunkirk in the Second World War. Originally published in 1940 in the Saturday Evening Post, it was brought out in book form the following year by Knopf, Michael Joseph and M&S simultaneously. It won the prestigious O Henry prize that same year and has been continually in print ever since. The Snow Goose has inspired a number of musical scores and albums, has been made into two feature films and moved generations of readers. A new feature film will be released in the coming year.

Beautifully written, with a powerful ending, and breathtakingly illustrated, this is an exquisite edition of Gallico’s masterpiece.

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Customer Reviews

21 Reviews

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4.4 out of 5 stars (21 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, moving story, Aug 6 2006

By	Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Paperback)

It's funny how the simplest of stories oftentimes have the most meaning. Paul Gallico's The Snow Goose is a beautifully moving story that touches on several of man's deepest emotions. It can be considered a children's story, but I think adults alone can truly appreciate the poignancy and depth of it. It's a tale of loneliness, love, war, and death. It's somewhat depressing yet life-affirming at the same time.

Philip Rhayader is a man of great warmth and affection, but his physical deformities (a hunched back and a clawed hand) make him an outcast in society. So it is that he moves to a remote lighthouse on the Essex coast, takes up painting, and cares for the local wildlife - especially the birds, who become his only real visitors or friends over the course of their annual migrations. One day, a shy little girl named Fritha arrives at his door carrying a wounded bird - her compassion for the creature overcoming her innate fear of the misshapen Rhayader. The bird is in fact a Canadian snow goose that somehow ended up on the eastern side of the Atlantic. Thanks to Philip's ministrations, the goose recovers and becomes a yearly visitor. Fritha often comes to visit the goose, and she and Philip develop a special bond of friendship. Time passes, hurtling toward the beginning of World War II. When Philip hears the call for any and all boats to help rescue the beached men at Dunkirk, he jumps at the chance to finally play an important part in society.

There's much more to the story from that point on, but in the end the snow goose comes to symbolize many things, including love and sacrifice. It is a romantic story, albeit an unconventional one, and your heart cannot help but be touched by the story of a special creature of nature and the profound effect his presence had on two human souls.

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3.0 out of 5 stars The snow goose, Jul 19 2002

By	oliver (Clacton, uk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Snow Goose (Paperback)

Paul Gallico is an immensely talented writer, and all his skills are shown in this brilliant story of the snow goose
The plot where Fritha saw a snow goose and it was injured so Fritha took it to a old man called Rhayader. He was a bit of a independent man with a big hunch back.
I missed most of the story as I was on holiday at the time the class was reading the book. But what I heard of the story it was really interesting and the ending definitely sounded good. By Oliver Pratt ...

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5.0 out of 5 stars The Taming of Two Wild Creatures, April 30 2001

By	Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

Was it pure coincidence that a Canadian snowgoose plummeted from a stormy sky near the lonely lighthouse on Britain's pre-war shores? Wounded and exhausted from its transatlantic ordeal, this unique bird proves the focal point of compassion for two unlikely humans, whose only bond is its care and nurture.

Philip Rhayader keeps aloof from critical society which looks askance at his misshapen body; yet a twisted back often belies hidden personal integrity and human dignity. In his isolated lighthouse studio he paints Nature's wild marshland to ease his own loneliness. Shunned by civilization, he feels a special tenderness for the free-spirited waterfowl of his chosen habitat.

Then a girl named Frith--part fey herself-- enters his restricted world, hesitantly bringing a wounded snow goose to the respected but feared artist-doctor. Will he help her, who represents the Society which has banned him from its warmth; rather, will he care for this helpless creature from another continent, which will surely die without his tender skill? The girl seems just another wild creature, yet she cherishes a forlorn hope that this storm-buffeted bird can survive.

In time the snow goose bestows her loyalty on the man who gave her new life--demonstrating her devotion even under fire. Meanwhile Frith emerges into young womanhood--too late realizing that she has developed deep feelings for this strange and unappreciated man, himself too shy to confess his love. But as World War II rages at Dunkirk, he discovers a way in which even a military reject can serve his fellow man, unselfishly performing his patriotic duty.

This is a story of compassion, love and sacrifice told honestly and simply, with incredible tenderness for all wild things. Some argue that it may be a contemporary fable or a lyrical love story. Each reader must decide for himself, but regardless of your literary judgment, Gallico's SNOW GOOSE wil provide a gentle tug at your heartstrings. I consider this short story a timeless classic.

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