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Ring of Bright Water  By  cover art

Ring of Bright Water

By: Gavin Maxwell
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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Publisher's summary

'Ring of Bright Water' represents Gavin Maxwell's account of his life at Camusfearna, a remote cottage in the western Highlands, and in particular the two otters, Mijbil and Edal, who became his constant and much-loved companions.
©1960 Gavin Maxwell (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Ring of Bright Water

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A Kindness to Creatures Great and Small

What a lovely book. It’s as heartwarming as when I read it as a child. The narration ads a great deal of color to the story. Lovely accent and very well told. Maxwell has an extremely descriptive and pleasant way with words. I am sad it has come to an end. But I shall plan a visit to Camusfearna and take in the sights and sounds so lovingly described.

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4 people found this helpful

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Ring of otters I killed....

......is a more appropriate title. The narrator is superb as are the landscape descriptions, but the story is horrible. This isn’t Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows. SPOILER ALERT This is the story of an enormously wealthy loner who wants to live like a poor man and decides he wants a wild otter as a pet at his hermitage In his quest he kills about ten otters with no remorse, but when a farmer kills “his” otter, we’re to believe it changed his life. Half way thru the book I started routinely asking myself “why didn’t he just get a cat”, but who would read that..... Recommend “A Streetcat named Bob” instead.

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2 people found this helpful

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One of the best animal tales (true and verifiable) I have read.

There was nothing to dislike in this book. The reader is transported to every scene, present both visually and emotionally. There are endless facts about animal life to be learned and brilliant descriptions of nature. This book is a must for any nature lover.

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1 person found this helpful

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Highly recommend

Loved everything about this book. I know I will read it again. So glad I found it

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Such a pleasure from the past.

My mother loved this story and I had always meant to read it, 40 odd years ago. I can see why it spoke to her, with her limitless love for all creatures. Wonderful.

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bravo

Both the story and the performance are wonderful. I will listen to it again.

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  • JJ
  • 01-13-22

A treasure!

I read a lot, and yet I had never heard of this book until a book-lover friend recommended it to me. At first, I was skeptical because the story line is about a man and his otters—I couldn't envision myself getting excited about otters! How wrong I was. I absolutely adore the language and the story line of this non-fiction book so much that I have already listened to it twice.

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Beautiful

At first I was stricken thinking this book was simply a beautiful description of Maxwell’s time in Scotland. I kept listening, however, and fell in love with his otters and the rest of his natural world. This is a beautiful and deeply moving book. It’s not a beach read, more like a long letter from a friend who lives in a magical world where humans and animals live together in harmony. It’s probably not for everyone but for those who love animals and nature I highly recommend it.

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Wonderful Story about Man and Beast

Love this story that takes place on an isle in the Scottish Highlands. A man of much life experience adopts an otter who changes his perception of life.

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A favorite.

Loved this book - a great listen. Ready to add this volume to my own library!

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