The Snow Goose

by Paul Gallico

Classic storytelling from a bestselling author. Gallico's most famous story, The Snow Goose, is set in the wild, desolate Essex marshes and is an intense and moving tale about the relationship between a hunchback and a young girl. The Small Miracle is a contemporary fable about a young boy's love for his dangerously ill donkey.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Historical Fiction, Short Stories, War, Animals, Childrens

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Paul William Gallico was born in New York City, on 26th July, 1897. His father was an Italian, and his mother came from Austria; they emigrated to New York in 1895.

He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.

During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.

He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.

Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.

He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.

He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.

Reviews

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful is the best way to describe The Snow Goose. It’s about a lonely disfigured man (Philip) who buys an abandoned lighthouse among the salt marshes of Essex, a wild but beautiful landscape. It’s here that Philip provides a sanctuary for birds who seek shelter during the winter months. Eventually he receives a visit of the human kind - a young girl named Frith. This is a rarity indeed, because the villagers normally shun him due to his appearance. However, a fragile relationship between the two begins and slowly builds into what becomes a beautiful and heart wrenching journey.

[Sujoya(theoverbookedbibliophile) {Semi-hiatus through September} · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He had mastered his handicap, but he could not master the rebuffs he suffered, due to his appearance. The thing that drove him into seclusion was his failure to find anywhere a return of the warmth that flowed from him.”

In 1930, painter Philip Rhayader takes up residence in an abandoned lighthouse on the marshlands of the Essex coast, retreating from a society that has judged him and been unkind to him on account of his physical deformities. He spends his time amid nature, sailing his small boat, painting and providing sanctuary to birds during the harsh winters. When Frith, a young girl from a local village, appears at his door with an injured snow goose, Philip cares for it, nursing it back to health and christens it “The Lost Princess”. Every year the snow goose returns in October before flying north, in the spring. Frith, drawn to the snow goose, also returns. The friendship between Philip and Frith friendship grows over the years - a friendship forged from their loneliness and a shared love for nature. But as WWII looms large, Philip is unable to remain unaffected by the events happening around him and in a selfless act of courage, decides to play his part.

Originally written as a short story in 1940 and developed into a novella in 1941, Paul Gallico’s The Snow Goose is an incredibly moving story about loneliness, kindness, friendship and sacrifice. I was directed to this story while reading a novel inspired by the same. At barely fifty pages, this is a short yet immersive read and I’ll admit that I shed more than a few tears. Though this is considered a children’s story, I believe the subject matter and the historical context would appeal to more mature readers.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a lonely man who nurtures a snow goose back to health. It was there in my bookcase all along without me realising.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely sweet short story that almost made me cry!
It documents the growth of a friendship against the severe backdrop of war.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story though beautiful filled me with melancholy. It feels other-worldly, and I experienced a sense of faerie or spiritualness about it. Philip Rhayader has isolated himself due to being rejected for his warped and ugly outward appearance. He lives in "one of the last of the wild places of England" and cares for the wild birds there, and eventually comes to care for a young girl who brings him an injured snow goose. Finally, he embarks on a journey to rescue men stranded at Dunkirk.

Example of Paul Gallico's lyrical writing:

"Tidal creeks and estuaries and the crooked, meandering arms of many little rivers whose mouths lap at the edge of the ocean cut through the sodden land that seems to rise and fall and breathe with the recurrence of the daily tides."

[Jessaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merry Christmas to All

I had just finished reading my first Paul Gallico book, The Miracle in the Wilderness, a short story but a very well written, so much so that I found that I was hanging on to his every word. I wanted to read more stories by him, so I picked up this book, another short story, and again I found myself hanging on to every word he wrote:

A deformed man rescued wild birds that he found near the lighthouse where he lived, when a young girl brought him a snow goose, also known as a Canadian goose. The bird had been injured. He had been shot. The goose stayed for a while and then flew away, coming back year after year.

Who would ever think that a short story could be so captivating? I shall never forget this book that brought me to tears in such short of time, unlike most books, This was truly a Christmas story although it was not meant to be.

I used to see flocks of these geese here where we live, because we live on a migratory bird route. They would walk around in an open area, a wilderness where we walked our dog. If you walked too close to them, they just moved away, but when our dog ran by them, paying no attention to them, they would fly up a few feet and land further away. Mocha was good at not chasing birds or other animals. But she passed away a year and a half ago, and we have not been back to see the geese. Too many memories.

[Lesle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story of a mere 58 pages and 3.5 stars that tells the story of a physically challenged artist in his late 20's. Philip who has retreated from the world and taken up residence in an abandoned lighthouse located near marshland. This is where he trys to capture the beauty of his surroundings on canvas. He also provides a sanctuary to the birds who seek shelter there over the winter months.
Frith, comes to him with the injured goose and overcomes her apprehension with Philip. They work with the injured snow goose and together they help the goose return to good health.
Frith and the goose return the following year and over the next several years, this continues and with the returns of the goose, it helps to develop the relationship between the two young adults.

This is a story of compassion it poses questions about the human understanding and the need for friendship, companionship, love and sacrifice. Written with honesty and an incredible amount of tenderness.

Listed as a "Children's Animal Story" but I think you have to decide for yourself.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and touching tale set in WWII, with the climax taking place during Dunkirk. While there's a danger here of crossing over into sentimentality, for me this lovely tale transformed what could have been pat sentiments into something very heartfelt and noble. It's the kind of tale children will remember and adults will cherish. Really a tribute to the human spirit and the bonds that hold us together.

The fact that this was published in April 1941, at a time of massive German air raids on London and other British cities, adds another layer of poignancy to the tale. The Dunkirk evacuation had been just the previous year. The themes of self-sacrifice and redemption were ones that surely would have been well understood and received.

[Rachel Lauto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have embarked on the helter-skelter habit of choosing books at random and reading them. I bought a 1960's copy of The Snow Goose at a library sale because it looked interesting and I had never heard of it...and I'm a sucker for new literary fare.
I had no expectations of what it might be, so the fact that this slender little volume contained a heart-warming if slightly predictable story made it precious to me. Yes, The Snow Goose crosses the line of sense vs. sentimentality, but no more than Old Yeller, The Yearling, and a great many other well-loved books.
The story follows a hunch-backed painter, Phillip Rhayader and the girl, Frith, who befriends him over their shared concern for an injured snow-goose. I did not expect the story to take the realistic turn it did with Rhayader taking his small boat to help with the rescue of British troops at Dunkirk, for the book was written in 1941 at the height of the air-raids on London.
For me, the fact that this book is a cry for hope, a nod to lost loves, and a bit of bright wing-feather while being written in the middle of a lot of angst, pain, and terror, gives it a nobility of its own.
If you want a book that will be easy to read aloud by a fireside in winter, you might try the story of Rhayader and the snow-goose.

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Από την κατηγορία με τα διδακτικά παραμύθια - ιστορίες που μπορεί να διαβαστεί από ένα παιδάκι 10 ετών μέχρι και 100!!! Λατρεύω αυτού του είδους τα βιβλία....με συγκινούν πολύ...

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

A hunchback artist called Rhayader moves to a lighthouse to paint the coast and the birds. He lives a lonely existence because of his appearance. The nearby village begins circulating rumours that the hunchback is magical and an ignorant girl called Frith takes a damaged snow goose to him to heal which he does with basic medicine (splints, bandages, etc.). The two bond over the snow goose which returns each year to visit until eventually it settles down to live with Rhayader all year round. Then World War 2 begins and their small idyllic existence is forever lost.

I’m really puzzled as to who the audience for The Snow Goose is.

It looks like a kid’s book – at 40ish pages, it’s a short story, and it’s fully illustrated – so it might be aimed at kids 10 or under. But then a large part of the story centres around the Dunkirk evacuation from WW2 and unrequited love – military history and complex adult emotions aren’t really things I’d say pre-pubescent junior school kids would have any knowledge of.

Unless it’s not aimed at kids and it’s supposed to be for teenagers and older? Except it looks like too much of a kid’s book to appeal to any teens. I know when I was in high school, I only had eyes for books by Terry Pratchett, Stephen King and Douglas Adams, steering well clear of anything for kids.

And adults? Would a 40ish page illustrated short story appeal to them, and would they be engaged with the thin story, one-dimensional characters and excessive sentimentality? Besides highlighting that there was an evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940, it doesn’t provide any insight to the event.

It’s baffling, though I’m an adult (technically anyway!) and I picked this up as I was told it’s a classic. Except it’s not. Neither Rhayader or Frith could be considered well-written, rounded, memorable characters in the least, and the story is extremely boring for the most part. It becomes mildly interesting – though incredibly far-fetched – once Rhayader and the snow goose take off in a skiff to the coast of Dunkirk to help ferry stranded British soldiers from the beach to the larger ships anchored nearby. But that little piece of fantasy doesn’t really make this a classic.

There’s far too much mawkish sentimentality over unspoken love, and tragic and needless death, and so on, but it felt manipulative of the author rather than genuine. I wasn’t saddened by the ending, I just wondered what the point of it was. It’s much too brief a story to make you feel anything about any of the “characters”.

I suppose kids might enjoy the book – it’s not a challenging read, though I’m not sure what a kid is going to get out of it. Older readers are likely to be unsatisfied with the brevity of the shallow tale. The Snow Goose, aka Hunchbacks Need Love Too, is a forgettable and trite short story that easily impressed romance fans or readers looking for sentiment for the sake of sentiment will enjoy.

[C. (Never PM. Comment, or e-mail if private!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never like sombre outcomes but most of this novel is very beautiful. The loyalty and respect for life to which it is dedicated is uplifting, like the feeling of beholding these remarkable marsh birds with your own eyes. My province is built on a marsh. I know how ecologically essential this kind of terrain is to Earth as a whole.

I have seen the strength and vibrancy of marsh birds, here in Canada and even in the Essex, England region of this book. Every movement is majestic, their energy so powerful in a gathered mass, it once frightened my cat, from across a school field. I took three year-old McCartney to see them, who was a timid apartment cat, getting excursions outside the first time. The grass quivered with these Canadian geese's presence and our McCartney shivered in echo of them.

To help birds in need of care and especially such a commanding one, would be a privilege. Thus we are guided on an unusually compassionate and loving story by Paul Gallico, "The Snow Goose", 1941.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 - Classical Serial - Neglected Classics:

A wounded bird brings together a disfigured artist and a young girl
and helps in a courageous act of bravery in World War II.

Philip Rhayader ..... Steven Mackintosh
Fritha ..... Georgia Groome
Mrs Farnes ..... Deborah Findlay
Storyteller ..... Sam Dale
Private Potton ..... Michael Shelford
Commander Brill-Oudener ..... Malcolm Tierney
Jock ..... David Seddon

Composer ..... Roger Goula
Director ..... Sally Avens

Steven Mackintosh stars in Paul Gallico's prize winning novella in our celebration of Neglected Classics.

When 'Open Book' asked various authors to champion a favourite negelected classic on the programme, Michael Morpurgo chose 'The Snow Goose'; perhaps no surprise, with his own story 'War Horse' depicting a friendship between a boy and his horse which takes them both into the horror of World War 1. 'The Snow Goose' won the listeners vote too and is now being dramatised for The Classic Serial.

[Rosemary Standeven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book as a child, and I can still remember the beautiful slender blue hardback copy that my parents owned. It is a short, heart-breaking story – that even though I knew the outcome – had me blubbing yet again.
It is a story of natural beauty and the purest of bravery – a bravery when someone puts their own life at risk, for strangers, with no incentive of reward, renown or the duty. When the deed is done, simply because the help was desperately needed. When there is a choice – to turn away – or to act.
The hero is Philip Rhayader, a lonely, ugly hunchback:

“Physical deformity often breeds hatred of humanity in men. Rhayader did not hate; he loved very greatly, man, the animal kingdom, and all nature. His heart was filled with pity and understanding. He had mastered his handicap, but he could not master the rebuffs he suffered, due to his appearance. The thing that drove him into seclusion was his failure to find anywhere a return of the warmth that flowed from him.”

He lives in an isolated old lighthouse, where he has turned the grounds into a bird sanctuary, and he paints. One day, a young girl, Frith, brings him an injured snow goose, that has lost its way in storms, and has been shot by hunters. He nurses it back to health. The snow goose returns each year – and when it comes, so too does Frith.
War breaks out. The British government pleads for anyone with a boat to sail to Dunkirk to rescue the stranded allied soldiers from the invading German forces.

“Men are huddled on the beaches like hunted birds, Frith, like the wounded and hunted birds we used to find and bring to sanctuary. … They need help, my dear, as our wild creatures have needed help, and that is why I must go. It is something that I can do. Yes, I can. For once – for once I can be a man and play my part.”

So, Rhayader – who has never been given any reason to love his fellow man – heads to France to save who he can. The snow goose flying overhead.
There are many tales of bravery from these few days at Dunkirk – this was the book introduced me to the events of 1940, and this story has been indelibly etched into my memory ever since.
While the world watches in horror at the devastation and human suffering brought about by another invasion – this time of Ukraine – and the evacuation of millions of civilians from the battlegrounds, there are more and more acts of bravery and compassion. People in Poland, Moldova, Romania and many other countries – and even in Britain (despite the govt putting many obstacles in the way) – opening up their homes to the refugees. This book is a reminder – if we need one – that there are always shining lights in the middle of humanities darkest hours.
Highly recommended to anyone, who has not yet read this inspirational and heart-breaking book.

[Jsiva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unpopular opinion perhaps: I think the reviews added way more expectation, beauty, and potential to a book that tried but didn't capture that for me. Was meh but trying to be more.

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

I remember reading this beautiful book when I was a child. It’s the story of a young crippled man, a girl, and a snow goose in 1940s Essex, in the lead-up to World War II. It’s a story of kindness and friendship, of the beauty of nature and our need to protect it, and of the importance of not judging by appearances. It is also a love story. Philip Rhavader is a hunchback, shunned by all, who looks after hurt and injured animals. He makes friends with a young girl named Fritha who brings him a snow goose to tend. As she grows into a beautiful young woman, he falls in love with her but cannot speak of what is in his heart. Then the Second World War breaks out, and Philip sails across to France to help rescue the thousands of soldiers stranded at Dunkirk. As a child, the book made a strong impression on me, but I had not read it in years. When I saw this lovely new edition, with exquisite illustrations by Angela Barrett, I had to buy it for my daughter.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a child and remember loving it. I hope to read it again.

Second reading: October 4,2020

The book was even better than I remembered it. Part historical fiction/part love story, it was well worth the re-read.

There is an abandoned lighthouse at the mouth of the River Aelred. It is soon occupied by a lonely man. He is deformed and he lives in this isolated place; it is his safe haven. His name is Philip

He loves nature and is an accomplished painter. One day, he is approached by a local urchin carrying a bloody and injured bird. He binds the birds wounds and the Snow Goose heals. They call it La Princesse Perdue--- The Lost Princess. Her name is Firth.

Historical Note: The evacuation of Dunkirk by private citizen boat is also integral to this story. Philip leaves Firth at the lighthouse as he takes his boat to the evacuation site. The Snow Goose follows him and is seen by the evacuees as a positive omen.

“Did you run across that queer sort of legend about a wild goose? It was all up and down the beaches. You know how those things spring up. Some of the men I brought back were talking about it. It was supposed to have appeared at intervals the last days between Dunkirk and La Panne. If you saw it, you were eventually saved. That sort of thing.”

And the love? The Snow Goose AND Firth for Philip.

Still 5 stars!!

[Wendy Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first word to the last this book is a paean of praise for the wild creatures and people inhabiting its pages. I fell in love with every character and wept buckets when that beautiful bird winged mournfully over the lighthouse one last time as if embodying Philip's magnificent soul.

[Bayandur · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico is one of my favorites. It is about life, its hardnesses and wonders, pain and joy coming by its natural route, and war - merciless and unnatural, cruel and indifferent as it is.
This book is really to hard to write about. Very personal to me - the emotional plane is really deep and the characters are well-developed.
The book is about an artist, living in a solitary lighthouse - Philip Rhayader, a local girl - Fritha, their friendship symbolized by the wounded bird - the snow goose. The actions take place during World War II.
One day Fritha comes to Rhayader's lighthouse and brings the gunshot bird, and this starts the friendship between them. As the bird's wounds heal, so do the wounds in Rhayader's soul, too. And friendship grows deerer.
"The Snow Goose's" expressionistic ending will make an emotionally developed person cry a river, I promise. I do not believe it contains any artificial sentiments - nothing unneeded, actually. Sincere and great.
If you like Harper Lee and other humanist writers "The Snow Goose" is for you.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where I live Painted Buntings come for the winter. They are a beautiful little bird and the male is so colorful you won't believe your eyes when you first see one. They arrive in the autumn and leave in the spring. Like the story, there is a sadness when they leave. Goodbye! Goodbye! But then they return. (and as in the story, I usually hear them before I see them). On one level this is a story about birds and nature and the tending of it. On another level it is a coming of age story and learning to love. And yet there is a further aspect which is about responsibility and heroism and loyalty.

I listened to a BBC dramatization of this book. I thought it was very well done. Engaging for adults and I think it would be thought provoking for children. It would be an excellent family listen that could prompt much discussion.

I recommend this dramatization. I usually prefer reading/listening to the actual book but this was what my library had available. Initially, I thought it was an audio book. I was very quickly engaged in the story by the time I realized it wasn't the actual book; there was no going back.


Update: I would have loved to see the paintings. I own a hard copy of this book. I'll have to find it and see if it's illustrated.

[Joselito Honestly and Brilliantly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man so repulsive that he had to seek solitude, yet so beautiful that a bird from a faraway place and a young girl found themselves inexplicably drawn to him.


I would have loved to quote here some memorable Little Prince-like passages but a prohibition runs in the opposite page of the inside title. So this is the one I shall quote:


"Copyright 1940 by The Curtis Publishing Company. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper."


I do not know if goodreads qualifies as a magazine or a newspaper.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Μικρή συγκινητική ιστορία με 3 πρωταγωνιστές και πολλούς κομπάρσους.
Ένας κυφωτικός ζωγράφος (ο ένας πρωταγωνιστής) αποσύρεται σε έναν βαλτότοπο και κάνει σπίτι του έναν φάρο. Ζει με τα πουλιά του βιότοπου και υποδέχεται αποδημητικά για να ξεχειμωνιάσουν, φροντίζοντας τα (οι κομπάρσοι).
Ένα κοριτσάκι από γειτονικό χωριό (η πρωταγωνίστρια), υπερνικώντας τον φόβο του μπρος την όψη του ζωγράφου και αψηφώντας κατά μεγάλο ποσοστό τις φήμες, έρχεται κρατώντας στην αγκαλιά της μία λευκή αγριόχηνα (η τρίτη πρωταγωνίστρια) ζητώντας τη βοήθεια του για να της γιατρέψει τη σπασμένη φτερούγα. Η αγριόχηνα έπεσε σε καταιγίδα και έχασε το δρόμο της τραυματισμένη, καταλήγοντας στον υδροβιότοπο του ζωγράφου.
Την ονομάζουν Χαμένη Πριγκίπισσα και τη φροντίζουν μαζί για χρόνια. Εκείνη έρχεται και φεύγει κάθε φορά κι εκείνοι την καρτερούν, μεγαλώνοντας μαζί της.
Ιστορία αγάπης, αγάπης για όλους και όλα, αγάπης που δε ζητά ανταλλάγματα, απαλλαγμένη από υποκρισία και κοινωνικές συμβάσεις, αγάπη που άργησε και αγάπη που προσφέρθηκε απλόχερα ...

[mariam ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written.. tragic story

[Bioquímica da Leitura · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://bioquimicadaleitura.blogspot.c...

Esta foi uma curta história sobre uma amizade improvável, que juntou duas pessoas, devido ao seu carinho especial por animais. Certo dia, aparece um ganso canadiano ferido e os protagonistas juntam-se para ajudar a criatura a sarar.
Uma vez curada, chega a altura da migração e vai cada um para seu lado. Mas surpreendentemente, a ave retorna e retorna também o convívio.
Esta história parece realçar que a gente, e até os animais, sempre procuramos um meio de retornar onde nos sentimos bem e onde um dia fomos felizes.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Nana lent me this short story to read, her father passed at Dunkirk so it holds a lot of meaning for her. I found the story wonderful. So great that I was planning out how I'd create a storyboard of it in my head (which I've only done once before).

I'm still debating on whether I want to draw this story out. I know it's a short story and all, but drawing out each panel would take forever. I think I could condense it enough though. It's definitely been added to my list of drawing inspirations.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a lover of history and this book did not disappoint. So beautifully written I felt like the words were singing poetry to me! When I saw Frith standing on her tiptoes, raising her hands toward the sky, I cried and cried.
Loved the illustrations that were done by Angela Barrett.
I am definitely adding this to the bookcase I am filling up for my Grandbaby!!

[Phil J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of love, sacrifice, beauty, the wonders of nature, and the Dunkirk evacuation. My edition was greatly enhanced by gorgeous, slightly impressionistic paintings by Beth Peck. It's short, so if this sounds good to you, go ahead and pick it up.

[Bettie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written short story with the climax at Dunkirk, difficult to imagine what it must have been like to be stuck on those beaches when that flotilla of boats turned up 60 years ago.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely short story with fairytale qualities. The author, Paul Gallico, has a beautiful descriptive quality in his writing. The main character is a disabled and shunned young man who is devoted to caring for birds. When a child brings him an injured goose his whole world changes. The beautiful illustrations by Beth Peck enhanced the enjoyment I received while reading.