Summary
The Incredible Journey, first published in 1961, is a beloved children's book by Scottish author Sheila Burnford. This timeless tale of loyalty and perseverance follows three pets—a young Labrador retriever, an old Bull Terrier, and a Siamese cat—as they navigate 300 miles of Canadian wilderness to reunite with their owners.
Although Burnford didn't intentionally write it for children, the book quickly became a classic of children's literature. It has won several prestigious awards, including the 1963 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award and the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award.
The story's enduring popularity led to two film adaptations by Walt Disney. The first, released in 1963, shared the book's title and brought the tale to a wider audience. In 1993, Disney reimagined the story as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
Plot
In The Incredible Journey, three beloved pets embark on a perilous adventure through the Canadian wilderness. When their owners, the Hunter family, leave for England, a young Labrador retriever named Luath, an old Bull Terrier called Bodger, and a Siamese cat named Tao are left in the care of family friend John Longridge. Sensing the absence of their human companions, the animals set out on a 300-mile trek westward to find their way home.
As they journey through the rugged landscape, the trio faces numerous challenges. They encounter treacherous rivers, harsh weather conditions, and the constant threat of starvation. Their survival skills are put to the test as they navigate unfamiliar terrain and rely on each other's strengths. Luath's determination, Bodger's tenacity, and Tao's hunting prowess prove crucial in their quest to reunite with their family.
Along the way, the animals cross paths with various human characters who play significant roles in their journey. The Nurmi family, Finnish immigrants, rescue Tao from a river and nurse him back to health. Later, elderly farmers James and Nell Mackenzie provide shelter and care for Bodger and Luath, removing painful porcupine quills from Luath's muzzle. These encounters with kind-hearted individuals offer moments of respite for the weary travelers.
The pets also face dangers from wild animals in the forest. Tao narrowly escapes an attack by a lynx, while Bodger finds himself at the mercy of a curious bear cub. Luath bravely fends off the mother bear when she threatens his companions. Despite these harrowing experiences and moments of separation, the three animals' unwavering loyalty and deep bond drive them to persevere. Their incredible journey ultimately leads them back to their beloved Hunter family, completing a tale of remarkable courage and friendship.
Themes
Loyalty and devotion to family
Strength in unity and teamwork
Perseverance in the face of adversity
The power of instinct and natural abilities
Courage and determination
Friendship across species
The bond between humans and animals
Setting
Set in the early 1960s, The Incredible Journey unfolds against the backdrop of Canada's rugged wilderness. The story takes place in the northwestern part of Ontario, a region characterized by its vast expanses of forests, numerous lakes, and rivers. This setting provides a challenging and perilous landscape for the animal protagonists to traverse.
The narrative begins in a small village, where the pets are initially left in the care of a family friend. From there, the animals embark on their epic 300-mile trek through the Canadian wilderness, encountering various obstacles and environments. The journey takes them through dense forests, across rushing rivers, and past scattered small farms and towns typical of the region.
Specific locations mentioned in the story include the stone house of John Longridge, where the animals begin their journey, and the farm of James and Nell Mackenzie, where the pets find temporary respite. The book vividly depicts the natural beauty and dangers of the Ontario wilderness, from its serene landscapes to the challenges posed by wildlife and the elements.
Characters
Luath: A young Labrador Retriever with golden-red fur and brown eyes. Luath is the newest addition to the Hunter family and the most determined to reach home. He is strongly built and usually walks on Bodger's left side during their journey. Luath's unwavering resolve and stamina play a crucial role in keeping the group moving forward despite numerous obstacles.
Bodger: An eleven-year-old English Bull Terrier with white fur and a slight pinkish tint. Bodger, whose full name is Champion Borough Castle Brigadier of Doune, is nearly blind in his left eye. Despite his advanced age, Bodger is brave, loyal, and tenacious, often charming humans for affection and snacks during their travels. He shares a special bond with Tao and is still capable of defending his companions when needed.
Tao: A seal-point Siamese cat with sapphire eyes and a royal white body with dark black features. Tao is a tireless, bold, and loyal animal, skilled at opening doors and hunting small birds for the group. He is the most adept at surviving in the wilderness and plays a crucial role in the dogs' survival throughout their journey.
John Longridge: Elizabeth Hunter's godfather and a bachelor who lives in a stone house about 300 miles from the Hunters. He is a writer by profession and has authored several historical books.
The Hunter Family: Consists of Jim (the father), his wife, and their two children, Peter (11) and Elizabeth (9). They are the owners of Luath, Bodger, and Tao.
Mrs. Oakes: The caretaker of John Longridge's home and the animals while he is away on his hunting trip.
The Nurmi Family: A family of Finnish immigrants who rescue and care for Tao after he is swept away by a river. Their ten-year-old daughter, Helvi, discovers the unconscious cat.
James and Nell Mackenzie: An elderly farming couple who help Bodger and Luath during their journey. They provide food and remove porcupine quills from Luath's muzzle, allowing him to continue the journey.
Quick facts
The book was first published in 1961 by Hodder & Stoughton.
Sheila Burnford based the story on her own pets while living in Canada.
The journey in the book covers 300 miles through the Canadian wilderness.
Burnford did not originally intend it specifically as a children's book.
Walt Disney adapted the book into a film of the same name in 1963.
The book won the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award in 1963.
It also won the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award in 1963.
The story is set in northwestern Ontario.
Disney remade the film in 1993 as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
The book received an International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) honor in 1964.
About the Author
Sheila Philip Cochrane Burnford (1918-1984) was an English novelist who gained international recognition for her work. Her most celebrated novel, The Incredible Journey, was published in 1961 and won the Canadian Children's Book of the Year award. The story, which follows three animals on a wilderness adventure, became a bestseller after Disney adapted it into a popular film. Although the book is widely considered a classic of children's literature, Burnford maintained that she had not intended it specifically for young readers.
A native of Scotland, Burnford spent her formative years in various parts of the United Kingdom, receiving her education at prestigious institutions such as St. George's School in Edinburgh and Harrogate Ladies College. During World War II, she served as a volunteer ambulance driver, demonstrating her commitment to public service. In 1941, she married Doctor David Burnford, with whom she had three children. A decade later, in 1951, the family emigrated to Canada, settling in Port Arthur, Ontario, where Burnford would find inspiration for her future literary works.
In addition to her fiction, Burnford wrote nonfiction works based on her experiences in Canada. Her book One Woman's Arctic (1973) chronicled her summers in Pond Inlet, Nunavut, where she immersed herself in Inuit culture and witnessed the rapidly changing Arctic environment.
