Bambi (Classic Tales Edition)

By: Felix Salten

Narrated by: B.J. Harrison

Complex, thought-provoking, and beautifully written, Felix Salten’s original Bambi isn’t the simplistic tale told in film. While Bambi grows and matures, he sees that the creatures of the forest are constantly forced to come to terms with their own mortality, for death comes unexpectedly and frequently. At times, the thundering third leg of “He” is heard, killing the unwary and exposed. Bambi learns the vital tools to survive in a world that is perpetually hostile.

Public Domain (P)2019 B.J. Harrison

Couldn't stop listening

So much more than the Disney animated version! Excellent narration taking me into the forest.

Unsettling and rightfully so

Bambi: A Life in the Woods is a far cry from the Disney adaptation most are familiar with. The novel offers a raw and realistic portrayal of forest life, where animals communicate, but without being humanized. They retain their instincts, logic, and behaviors that can seem cold and detached, yet perfectly natural in their animal world. The story delves much deeper into Bambi's herd and introduces a richer cast of deer characters, in contrast to the broader array of animals in the film.

The struggles of survival, fear of "Him" (humans), and the natural cycles of life and death are explored with a seriousness and depth absent from the movie. Oh yes, the death of Bambi's mother as depicted in the Disney movie is nothing compared to the brutalities described in the book. The description of the hunt is raw and unsettling. As hunters invade the forest, the animals are thrown into chaos, and the violence of their deaths is vividly depicted. It also serves, in part, as a warning of what might happen if a wild animal loses its fear of humans... and the consequences it could bring.

The result is a more complex story that highlights the harsh realities of nature while offering a poignant coming-of-age narrative.

Salten's Bambi is a captivating, somber reflection on life in the wild—one that strips away sentimentality to reveal nature's beauty and cruelty in equal measure.

The original. Highly recommended

This is the original Bambi. Excellently done! The narrator does a marvelous job of it.

Fantastic Narration!

This narration was so unexpectedly soothing, I found it great for meditation. The description is so vivid, I could see why Disney wanted to make it into a film. Interesting how this actually rivals "Watership Down" in terms of its more brutal moments, but that's not a bad thing for an adult. Children, however, who were traumatized by the film will be even more traumatized by the actual book it was based on.

Excellent book

Excellent book! The story is very detailed and filled with lots of mysteries and foreshadowing. The book isn’t slow but keeps the reader wondering about certain elements that are eventually revealed. While this book is the inspiration for the Disney movie of the same name do not mistake it for the same story, this book is far darker and can even be graphic. Never the less it is an excellent story for more mature readers.

As are classics. As they should be. Meaningful.

The story was robbed by the narrator. Whispers then loud. Making it very difficult to settle in with it.

this story is amazing!

I love this story because it's exciting ,funny ,intense
(at some points) ,and just simply amazing!