Where the Red Fern Grows

This book runs the gamut of human emotions. I loved this book when I was younger and really enjoyed visiting it again through an Audio version. I liked the narrator's voice alot. I thought he captured the nuances and feelings in the book perfectly. This is a true classic, one you can enjoy again and again. And yes, I did cry at the end just like the first time. :-)

Where The Red Fern Grows is a book that is a classic in my opinion. The first time I read it I was 11 years old and I have read it probably twenty times more since then. It compasses all the emotions that humans are capable of and the true loyal and loving nature of dogs. Big Dan and Little Ann loved each other and Billy more than words can can express. It broke my heart right along with Billy's when his little hounds passed away. Even the intro when he is supposed to be a grown man and taking care of the stray dog tears me up. If humans knew how to be as loving, loyal, and kind as dogs the world would be a wonderful place! Anyone who picks this book up will sure to love it whether you are an animal lover or not. I recommend this book to all ages and genders. It is truly a classic and one you will be sure to read over and over again!

A wonderful and moving story of a boy and his love for the two hunting dogs he raises. The Ozark forests are beautifully remembered and the dangers and challenges that boy, his dogs, and his family face are exciting, and deeply moving. While not for young children, this book will be memorable for both children and adults. The reading is near perfect in pace and tone.

Yes, this is a wonderful slice of old-time family life. All the family values are there. Even religion, and that is beautiful, especially as spoken by the father. I love the way parents and grandparents are respected, and they actually come up with good solutions and wisdom to apply to the situation. There are so many sweet touches in the story, like when the boy is served coffee for the first time, without comment from the men.

As a town girl and wildlife rehabilitator-volunteer, I winced to hear about killing coons. I have bottle-fed baby raccoons and tolerated the antics of older coons when they are being fed and their home cleaned. Likewise, I almost cried for the big tree that "had" to be cut down. I saw no sense to that! Same with the boy's attitude toward the predator mountain lion, i.e., the only good one is a dead one! So if I had kids or grandkids listening to this story, I think we would be talking about changed attitudes since it was written.

So the story had to end somehow, but I am adding my own ending: Papa found a good job in town; the kids settled in at the school; Billy took up maybe a paper route; and Mama gave them a baby brother!

Anthony Heald deserves 8 stars for his narration. His tempo is quite fast when the action is intense. He can switch his voice wonderfully to narrate conversations. A usually slow reader would surely enjoy following along with the book.

I loved this book as a child. It was wonderful - beautifully read. I listen to books when I work out at the gym. I think that the people around me must of thought I was crazy - at the end of the book I was on the treadmill and tears were running down my face and my nose was running. Just a wonderful, fabulous book and great reader.

I truly, truly enjoyed this listen, beginning to end. The touching story along Anthony Heald reading it made this one of the best books I've heard. I laughed; I cried and was totally entertained the entire listen!! It's a keeper.

This is a worthwhile and engaging story from early American days which offers us an insight into the very different lives lived then. Revealed are a touching faith in God, the workings of a strong, close-knit extended family unit, and the harsh reality of the daily killing and skinning of clever fellow creatures, raccoons, who don???t stand a chance against the cunning of humans with dogs. I enjoyed this book but found myself cringing and holding my breath during all the scenes of killing and skinning of raccoons, which upset me deeply, as I find them very appealing creatures. It was clear the skins were sold for furs and coonskin caps. It is a sad thing to kill such beautiful, wily animals at all, but that was just the reality back then. I view it as historical and can only hope it is not still happening. I am shocked that modern people consider this acceptable fare for children but then I am not a parent or teacher. If you can enjoy a story about a boy and his hounds killing all the raccoons they possibly can, then this is for you. The narrator is wonderful. I wept for the raccoons, the dogs, and that long ago time. But I wept for humanity, too, for its joy in killing.

I understand that it is a kids book. However, there were many times that I wished for better descriptions. Nonetheless, the coming of age of Billy was a wholesome story.

The narration leaves something to be desired, but it's not terrible. The story is a timeless one.

It's a great story. I remember the movie from years ago and thought the story wouldn't get to me the way it did when I was young. My mistake. I usually listen at work but I had to wait to listen to the end at home, alone. It still got to me. ;)

Ol' Dan was my favorite character because of his dedication to his God given talent (hunting coons) and his loyalty to Lil' Ann and the boy. I've had dogs and that kind of bond is hard to beat.

The hunt for the "Ghost Coon"!

Love, loyalty and passion at their finest!