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Jenny Willow
". . . an unusually heartwarming novel no reader can ever forget. Opening doors into the heart, Gaddis writes about love and loss and about the important small things that are missed unless one takes time to look closely. He spins a warm, gentle tale about dogs and about people." --Sanford (SC) Herald
"It is a treasure, JENNY WILLOW, a rare find . . . one no selfrespecting sporting library should be without." --The NRA's American Hunter
Ben Willow loves above all else setter dogs, the mountains of West Virginia, and grouse. At eighty-three years old, widowed and lonely, a twist of fortune brings one last setter into his Jenny, a pup of undeniable brilliance. Jenny proves to be the best bird dog Ben has ever known, but more important, she becomes the old man's reason to live. He hopes he can last her lifetime. The greatest betrayal to a gun dog is to deny her her reasons for her master, the gun, and the hunt.
But when Ben's heart gives out while hunting, Jenny is suddenly alone on the mountain. A winter snowstorm comes in; Jenny is lost, attacked by a pack of wild dogs, and dog-napped by a sadistic hermit. Her hair-raising rescue by Ben's friend, Clyde-the local storekeeper-requires nothing less than murder.
JENNY WILLOW is more than a dog story. Beautifully told, steeped in the wonders of the natural world, it is about the relationship between a man and a dog, one man's transcendent love of freedom, and the loyalty true friendship requires. No one who reads this first novel will ever forget Ben or Jenny Willow.
"It is a treasure, JENNY WILLOW, a rare find . . . one no selfrespecting sporting library should be without." --The NRA's American Hunter
Ben Willow loves above all else setter dogs, the mountains of West Virginia, and grouse. At eighty-three years old, widowed and lonely, a twist of fortune brings one last setter into his Jenny, a pup of undeniable brilliance. Jenny proves to be the best bird dog Ben has ever known, but more important, she becomes the old man's reason to live. He hopes he can last her lifetime. The greatest betrayal to a gun dog is to deny her her reasons for her master, the gun, and the hunt.
But when Ben's heart gives out while hunting, Jenny is suddenly alone on the mountain. A winter snowstorm comes in; Jenny is lost, attacked by a pack of wild dogs, and dog-napped by a sadistic hermit. Her hair-raising rescue by Ben's friend, Clyde-the local storekeeper-requires nothing less than murder.
JENNY WILLOW is more than a dog story. Beautifully told, steeped in the wonders of the natural world, it is about the relationship between a man and a dog, one man's transcendent love of freedom, and the loyalty true friendship requires. No one who reads this first novel will ever forget Ben or Jenny Willow.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 8, 2021
Although you would think this is a book about hunting, and don't get me wrong it is, it is about far more then just the hunt. Jenny Willow tells the story of an aging hunter, the love of his last dog, and the choice to spend eternity in the mountains of West Virginia. This is not a normal read for me and the descriptions were sometimes too detailed for my tastes. However, the overall story of love, loss and the finding of dreams was heartwarming, engaging, and enjoyable. I would have no trouble recommending Jenny Willow and would encourage even non-hunters to step into the world of wilderness and experience it for awhile.
July 14, 2008
One is tempted to write that it's a book about a man and his dog, but that's not accurate. Yes, there's always a male with Jennie when she's scouring the woods for grouse, but not just one man is involved; she's given to an older man whose forays with her are described in great detail, but then he dies, she's lost in the woods and put upon by wild dogs. Finally found with one of society's misfits who has to be murdered to make off with her, she's then in the home of the old man's best friend until he decides that she'd have a better life with a young teenager. So the story is appropriately named. It's all about Jenny and it's very interesting reading if you're a dog fancier.
June 2, 2011
Dan reviewed 2/19 but I will read it too. A must read for dog lovers and grouse hunters. A love story of a man for his childhood sweetheart, of nature, of grouse hunting, of a dog, of a mountain, of life, and of death. An adventure in a beautiful setting. A story where paragraphs are reread for the beauty of the prose. This is a great story of a dog, and a great man. Hard to set it down once you start.
November 7, 2016
It is possible to feel for the man and the dog in this story even if you are not a hunter. However, as a hunter who has spent many a day afield, gun in hand, over a brilliant dog... that experience defies description. For a hunter there are moments that shine through all else in a life. This story is filled with such moments, skillfully told, wistfully and often painfully remembered. Thank you Mike.
August 27, 2007
This is a wonderful story about an elderly man who loves to hunt with his dog. The descriptions of the hunt and the scenery is excellent. I have never hunted, but this book certainly drew me in to the excitement of working as a partner with a dog. Also the passages about the man aging spoke to me. It is a book that causes you to smile, cry and embrace the characters.
August 9, 2011
Bill enjoyed this book. I'm next to read.
Even though I'd told Carolyn just yesterday that I was going to read Jenny Willow slowly to enjoy the beautifully descriptive prose, it was a book I couldn't put down. In fact, through many tears, I found myself scanning quickly through the prose because I was so anxious to see what was going to happen.
Even though I'd told Carolyn just yesterday that I was going to read Jenny Willow slowly to enjoy the beautifully descriptive prose, it was a book I couldn't put down. In fact, through many tears, I found myself scanning quickly through the prose because I was so anxious to see what was going to happen.
February 5, 2013
Exceptional story told in the beautiful setting of the West Virginia's mountains. Although a bit fluffy at times, the story is well conceived and written. Being a English Setter man, the premise of this book was especially interesting to me and I am better for having read it. Highly recommended.
March 4, 2010
Read this on vacation. Spent a lot of time crying on an airplane with this story.
March 4, 2011
Reviewed by Dan Feb. 19, 2011
September 29, 2011
If you've ever owned an English Setter, you will love this book. It's a great story.
November 21, 2012
I thought this book was pretty good and was well written, but the whole spreading Ben Willow's ashes all over the covert was a bit weird, but to each his own.
December 10, 2013
One of the best books i've ever read. It has a happy ending, but some of the scenes are disturbing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2009
pretty good read...a bit hoaky
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews