The Dorset Squirrels

Woodstock Saga #1-3

by Michael Tod

The red squirrels of Dorset brace themselves for the arrival of the Greys who are intent on colonising Englandor, as they call it, New America. Can the Reds resist the superior force or must they abandon all they hold dear and flee to seek refuge on Brownsea Island

Genres: Animals

705 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally like reading stories which involve animals. When I realised that the book concerned the Red Squirrels on Brownsea Island, I was especially enchanted. Many years ago I visited the island and was hoping to see a Red Squirrel but only saw signs of the food they ate.
The characters of the Red Squirrels portrayed were easy to identify with - the joy and the sadness touched you. It was a compelling read. You must read the trilogy! I wondered where the power came from in the stick? I wondered too if there are any Red Squirrels left in Portland as mentioned! Grey Squirrels have always been the bad guys as long as I can remember, but one enjoys seeing them leaping from one tree to another. The tale implies that they can change. I enjoyed the straightforward story without looking for any deeper symbolism though it did cross my mind with the sign of the fish whether it showed one that Christianity overcomes evil. It's a most enjoyable book in the same league as Ring of Bright Water and Tarka the Otter.

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

One year after 2000 this author was at one of the festivals in Ludlow Castle and my Mum and I purchased Dolphin Song and The Dorset Squirrels from him, so the copy I have is signed. I always regret that he addressed this book to my Mum first and me second as this is far and away the best book of the two. That said, I haven't read either book since we first bought them so given that is just under 20 years ago Dolphin Song may have improved... if I can locate it I'll re-read it sometime soon and see!

Anyway, The Dorset Squirrels isn't *quite* as good as I recalled it being, but it was still highly enjoyable. I found myself wanting to visit Dorset to see some of these sites myself, though having just looked on Google Maps these little Squirrels sure do manage to get about! I mean, really, they're little and how far can they really travel? (Google says they can run at 20mph when threatened, jump 20 feet, and have a memory of 27 seconds... not sure I trust that last one - no info on how far they can travel in a day though that I can find but given the speed they can travel at need - I guess the distances involved and the time frames are possible...)

As for the plot, I think this is a really clever way to introduce the issues of environmental protection and the destruction that non-native species can wreak. Certainly as a pre-teen this book was one of the first I read to suggest the dangers and the consequences without being really judgemental over it. There are certainly elements that younger children would find disturbing but if they can read Watership Down they'd be fine with this. In fact I read this book before I ever read Watership Down!

Overall, I still found this an entertaining book and I can see myself reading it again at some point in the future.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly charming book, particularly pleasing for anyone who knows any of the places visited throughout the stories.

[Rachael Andreasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the squirrels struggles and lives

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good read. Very reminiscent of the Duncton Wood series by William Horwood. Have kept the book, as I bought it at a book signing.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming saga of red squirrels being invaded by greys in the 1960's.
Beautiful characterisation of the different squirrels - on a par with Watership Down and Kine

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting piece of fantasy, but I didn't like the endings. Had to slog my way through the last 50 pages or so. I feel the author had certain goals in mind, philosophical and otherwise that drive the book.

[Callum Welch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would find a story about animals that I could enjoy more than Watership Down, and that really is saying something. The book is split into three stories: The Silver Tide, The Second Wave, and The Golden Flight. The stories are based on grey squirrels taking over England (Or "New America"), and wiping out the reds. What I loved about The Dorset Squirrels is that it is engaging for people of all ages. There is a lot of depth in the stories. Different groups of squirrels live by different systems and cultures. Most interestingly, the squirrels have their own mythology based on the first two squirrels to live, Acorn and Primrose.

I will definitely look out for more books by Michael Tod!

[Tim Corke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorset Squirrels is a definitely a conversation-starter. From the outset colleagues, friends and family were wondering what I was reading, thinking I'd lost the plot. I have to admit when I first picked this up I was also perplexed but intrigued due to the local connection to Poole where I grew up.

The book itself is delightful. It's not a fluffy book by any stretch but the way that squirrel life is used as a metaphor for human behaviour and talks about various human traits is quite profound and incredibly readable which just adds to its endearment.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about an unusual tale - actually, three tales - I've read all three books, contained in this set. This is the epic story of Red Squirrels at home in England, as they find themselves more and more threatened by the colonizing Grey Squirrels. Lovingly depicted, something cruel and hard as nature is, something embued with a special kind of magic.

[Loz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and lovely to read of Dorset as a setting (even if it is the side I know less well).

I liked the 3rd book least however, and the style took me a little while to get used to, but I love animal stories and this is a good one.

[Oz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got a signed copy from the author. He was my grandma's friend. I'll read it properly one day and rerate. I read it when I was 9. The rating reflects how strongly I felt of it at the time.