Book Review: H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

H is for Hawk

by Helen Macdonald (Biography Macdonald)

 

This is Ms. Macdonald’s story of coming to terms with her father’s sudden death and training a Goshawk, one of the most difficult hunting birds to train. Amongst the stories of her father, and of her training Mabel, she explores the book Goshawk by T. H. White, a book she first read when she was a child. She also discusses White’s struggles with life and training his hawk.

 

I understand Ms. Macdonald’s need to use White as a foil for her training and her bereavement. I looked up a copy of Goshawk and read some of the book, but I felt she spent far too much time on the details of White’s life, almost as if she was trying to excuse his behavior. On the other hand, this book had so much interesting information and experiences. I loved the details of training Mabel. As a dog trainer, I can see how so much of what “old school” dog trainers do is nothing but superstition. Training a hawk takes it down to the bare bones. What will get the animal to do the human’s bidding.

 

Watching Macdonald deal with the loss of her father is very familiar. The isolation that she craves, but finds unsatisfying is very real to me. Losing oneself in nature or training or any other distraction only delays the reality. You must feel the feelings to get beyond grief.

 

I was concerned that the book would be depressing, even sad, but this book touched me deeply. I felt a kinship with Macdonald. On the whole I would recommend this book to anyone interested in dealing with grief and, of course, falconry. It’s well written and almost lyrical. I listened to the books, and greatly enjoyed listening to Ms. Macdonald read her own book.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife, Lab Girl by Hope Jahren, or The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion.]

[ publisher’s official H is for Hawk web site ] | [ official Helen MacDonald Twitter feed ]

 

Recommended by Marcy G.
South Branch Library

 

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