Bambi. A Life in the Woods :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

Not the Disney Bambi!

2008-10-25
This is a very different book than the Disney movie.

I realise at the time that the Disney animated movie caused something of a kerfuffle, since Bambi's mom is shot off-screen. In the book, things only start there. The novel, while well-written, is much more violent than one might expect, and is not especially appropriate for many children under 10.

I do not recommend that people run out and buy this novel if their children thought Bambi, Farina, and Thumper were cute, the therapy bills will be astronomical.

"adapted" = "dumbed down"

2008-03-23
To all who are confused by sleek marketing: THIS IS NOT THE "REAL" BAMBI!!!

The real "Bambi" is written by Felix Salten, period. And, it wasn't meant as a book for children. It is a philosophical tale about attaining knowledge, wisdom and the enlightenment, if you will. It is an allegory of human life, suffering and the ultimate quest for the TRUTH.

That you can only infer from the original text by Salten, which today seems to be available only on vintage editions from the 20-s. TO give you an idea, the edition being reviewed is 192 pages long, and the 1929 edition of the Salten's text is 293 pages long (same size print). This is how much has been cut out of Salten's text, where IMO every word is thoroughly meaningful and irreplaceable.

The continuous efforts to dumb down this book really makes me wonder. The sugar-coated Disney version of the story started the trend. The "adaptions", while claiming to return to authenticity, reduce the scope of the questions raised in the story to growing up and learning, and to the environmentalist \ anti-hunting issues.

No, it is much more than that. Do not settle for less, get the original. Borrow it from your local library if you must. And, read it to your kids -- they can handle its wisdom.

Great Story for all ages

2008-01-02
I read bambi for the first time about 2 years ago. I was 27 at the time, and i don't feel that you need to be a child to enjoy the book. It is a book that has a great story with lots of lovable characters. It shows life in the forest in a different way then what most people might think of it. How animals aren't stupid they just think and feel in a different way then people do and they aren't to be treated badly. For all the wonderful things in the book it can also be heartbreaking at times. It really moved me. It was one of those books that really makes you think after you read it. Highly recommended!

Why buy this when you can have the original?

2007-12-24
I don't understand. Why buy this version by Janet Schulman when you can have the original written by Felix Salten himself? Is Salten's version out of copyright? Is someone else trying to make money off of it?

Wonderful Book

2007-06-27
My son really enjoyed this story. He was entertained since it had differences from the one "Bambi" story everyone is familiar with.

Bambi

2006-11-09
The Prince of the Forest

Bambi's life in the woods begins happily. There are forest animals to play with -- Friend Hare, the chattery squirrel, the noisy screech owl, and Bambi's twin cousins, frail Gobo and beautiful Faline.

But winter comes, and Bambi learns that the woods hold danger -- and things he doesn't understand. The first snowfall makes food hard to find. Bambi's father, a handsome stag, roams the forest, but leaves Bambi and his mother alone.

Then there is Man. He comes to the forest with weapons that can wound an animal. He does terrible things to Gobo, to Bambi's mother, and even to Bambi. But He can't keep Bambi from growing into a handsome stag himself, and becoming...the Prince of the Forest.

THIS IS NOT UNCLE WALT'S VERSION 2006-09-22
I love this work. This of course the the story that was made into the now classic animated Disney film. This not not like the Disney film at all. Now I am rather fond of the film and can remember my mother taking it to it shortly after the war (WWII) and of course have since taken my children and grandchildren to see the same. This book/story though, is far superior in my opinion. Actually, read as an adult, it is quite profound, dealing with quite a number of issues. Relationships between parent and child, child and peers and nature and man. I do not feel you can classify this work as an antihunting story. It more or less puts and keeps man in his place in the big picture of things, for better or for worse. Like another reviewer, I was particularly fascinated with Bambi's friend who became a "pet of man." There is a lesson here as to following ones nature. I am not sure I completely understand the message, but know it is there. Yes, this work does deal with death and dying and yes there is sad parts. I personally don't feel children should be sheltered from such things completely as they all will eventually have to face the same feelings and dilemmas. I hate to use the word "classic" as it is quite often over used, but know of no other way to describe this one. I do highly recommend it.

The best book I've ever read! 2006-06-26
Before I read this book, I was a fanatic of the movie Bambi. I still am, but it's very different from the book and it seems like 15 minutes after you read the book. I could see EVERYTHING that was described in the text of the book. It really has an effect on emotions. Some things are lighthearted, some things are truly heart breaking, there's even a few laughs. Everything is described in much detail. I felt like, at one point, that I was Bambi running for the first time in the meadow, drinking in the warm air. I could hear the dogs barking, the hoofbeats, and the gunshots. I HIGHLY recommend it to nature lovers and fans of the film. Now I just need to read Bambi's Children!

Bambi 2006-03-24
People think of Bambi as being a book for young children. It is actually a strong political statement. It is very interesting for adults as well. You may or may not agree with the political statement.

Carl Platt

Let Us Not Forget Felix Salten 2005-12-25
Felix Salten's Bambi: A Life in the Woods is a masterpiece and an original. I agree with much of what others have written below about this book. I have this to add: Read the book to read about the character of Gobo. Also, I'm not sure it's an anti-hunting book. What does the last chapter mean? The book does not end with a fire as in the Disney version, but ends with something found on the ground. When you begin to ask yourself how this got there, you begin to see, it may not be what you first thought. To read Bambi: A Life in the Woods and then to read the rest of Felix Salten's writings is the greatest pleasure. The story of this forest continues in other books by Salten including Bambi's Children: The Story of a Forest Family, Perri, Fifteen Rabbits and A Forest World (my favorite). Other books by Felix Salten not to be missed are Good Comrades, Renni the Rescuer, Jibby the Cat, Florian the Emperor's Stallion, The Hound of Florence, and Samson and Delilah. Find them if you can. Read them and be transported and informed.