Shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize * #1 bestseller in the UK When Helen Macdonald’s father died suddenly on a London street, she was devastated. An experienced falconer—Helen had been captivated by hawks since childhood—she’d never before been tempted to train one of the most vicious predators, the goshawk. But in her grief, she saw that the goshawk’s fierce and feral anger mirrored her … mirrored her own. Resolving to purchase and raise the deadly creature as a means to cope with her loss, she adopted Mabel, and turned to the guidance of The Sword and the Stone author T.H. White’s chronicle The Goshawk to begin her journey into Mabel’s world. Projecting herself “in the hawk’s wild mind to tame her” tested the limits of Macdonald’s humanity. By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, this book is an unflinching account of bereavement; a unique look at the magnetism of an extraordinary beast; and the story of an eccentric falconer and legendary writer. Weaving together obsession, madness, memory, myth, and history, H is for Hawk is a distinctive, surprising blend of nature writing and memoir from a very gifted writer.
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I wish I could have given this book a better rating because the prose is beautiful, but I just couldn’t finish it. A little too obtuse.
Fascinating story of an experienced falconer working through her grief and loss by training a young goshawk. Interesting comparison of her methods vs those of the author T.H. White.
This is the story of a woman who suddenly lost her father. Having been interested in falconry she adopted a Goshawk to help her in her grief. It does tell a lot about training a hawk–especially a Goshawk which is why I got the book. More of the focus on the book was how the author dealt with her grief which is a good story just not what i was …
I found her obsession with these birds a bit disturbing. I finished the book but I can’t say I enjoyed it. I may be in the minority, but I wouldn’t recommend.
Brutally honest memoir about a woman’s father’s death and training a goshawk–combined with the history of T.H. White, author of The Once and Future King.
A complicated, magical book. Highly recommend.
I listened to this on audio, read by the author in a perfectly charming British accent. Recommend audio.
This book was fascinating! I enjoy reading books like this where I learn about new places, new things and pick up new vocabulary. It’s a memoir about a very sad time in the author’s life but also a wonderful tale about her experience as a falconer with a Goshawk. Highly recommend.
Author too self absorbed
Loved, loved, loved this book! It deserves all the awards. A completely original memoir of grief and falconry. So compelling and layered that I reread it and appreciated it as much the second time as the first. Maybe one of my all time favorite books.
Depressed author writes to fulfill herself….
Simply the best memoir I’ve read to date.
I was disappointed since I thought it would be an interesting book about falconry but it turned out to be mostly about the author and her issues.
This is excellent book. One of the best illustrating the bond between people and the wonderful creatures around us. The trials of both the author’s life and her training of her hawk are honest and sometimes difficult to bear but it is very truthful. This is no glossy light story, it creates a true respect for both nature and its creatures.
A great book, both about hawks, about animals, about fathers, about nature, about life.
As a birder, I found it very interesting.
This was a tough book to read. I can’t say I loved it but appreciated the author’s honesty in telling her story about her love of Hawks and the physical struggles she endured demonstrating this love. Not for everyone.
Quirky and excellent
fascinating
As non-fiction, it was very entertaining. The main character, being a real person, had a wonderful depth and complexity.
Our book club was assigned this book, and we unanimously agree it’s the worst book we have read in 18 years. Few people in the group would even finish the book. It is a tale of torturing a bird. It is dark, morbid, and just bad.
Beautifully written.