I saw the movie "Ring of Bright Water" when I was a kid. (No, I am NOT saying how long ago that was.) I enjoyed it after all, what kid wouldn't like a story about a playful otter! But, I didn't love it probably because of the ending.
Now, X years later, I finally read the book that was the basis for the movie and the two follow-ups that contributed to it, as well. And, X years later, I once again say "I enjoyed it. BUT, I didn't love it." The book books, as it is an abridgement of all 3 books in the "otter trilogy" is focused on Mr. Maxwell's life and how the otters changed it, rather than on the otters themselves, although there certainly are enough anecdotes and stories of the otters themselves yes, multiple, as Mij was only the first to come to live with Maxwell. Anyone who expects otherwise should be prepared. "Abridgement" is a dirty word to me in this case, the editor states that they cut out everything in the 3 books that involved Maxwell but not the otters. While I certainly read the book for the otters more than an autobiography of Maxwell, I expect that some of the items trimmed would have lent additional clarity to some of the points that Maxwell was attempting to make about life while describing his interaction with the otters.
Good book I'll never know if the originals were "great" or not (I'm not going to reread this material to pick up the additional content).
RATING: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for those sites that cannot handle fractions of a star.
Now, X years later, I finally read the book that was the basis for the movie and the two follow-ups that contributed to it, as well. And, X years later, I once again say "I enjoyed it. BUT, I didn't love it." The book books, as it is an abridgement of all 3 books in the "otter trilogy" is focused on Mr. Maxwell's life and how the otters changed it, rather than on the otters themselves, although there certainly are enough anecdotes and stories of the otters themselves yes, multiple, as Mij was only the first to come to live with Maxwell. Anyone who expects otherwise should be prepared. "Abridgement" is a dirty word to me in this case, the editor states that they cut out everything in the 3 books that involved Maxwell but not the otters. While I certainly read the book for the otters more than an autobiography of Maxwell, I expect that some of the items trimmed would have lent additional clarity to some of the points that Maxwell was attempting to make about life while describing his interaction with the otters.
Good book I'll never know if the originals were "great" or not (I'm not going to reread this material to pick up the additional content).
RATING: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars for those sites that cannot handle fractions of a star.
