Felix Salten (1869–1945)

Originally published in Berlin during 1923 and then translated to English by Whittaker Chambers for US publication during 1928, Bambi remains a popular children's classic. Although some anthropomorphism is used, Salten's story is a far cry from the cutesy, sanitized version presented by Walt Disney decades later. Salten's beautifully descriptive and subtle writing is deceiving, as the story contains underlying themes of fear, survival, death, war and religion.

Bambi, a male roe deer, first appears as a newborn and by the end of the book is older and turning gray. Bambi is first cared for by his mother and as he gains more independence, eventually chooses a mate. Bambi learns the most from an older male deer, who every so often seeks out Bambi to teach survival strategies, including how to outwit "He" which is the animal's term for a human.

Just a word of caution if you plant to read this, as there are various translations available and some versions are abridged too. After unwittingly borrowing and reading a recently translated abridged copy on HOOPLA, which I thought was horrible, I figured out my error. My second reading was an unabridged version translated by Whittaker Chambers and I came away with a much more favorable impression of the writing and the story. I personally think the story is far too sophisticated and gloomy for children but might be more appropriate for the YA age group.… (mais)