Gift of the Deer (Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage)

Every so often I long to read a book simply about wildlife or nature in general. The book has to have good story, entertaining characters, and a satisfying ending. It is necessary that the tale comes alive in my mind and stimulates my imagination. The Gift of the Deer does all this and more.Helen and Adrian (Ade) gave up life in the city to move to a remote cabin in the wilds of northern Minnesota. On one Christmas Day during particularly brutal winter, they noticed a new visitor out among the usual birds and squirrels they feed outside. The fully mature buck was thin, blind in one eye, and obviously struggling to survive winter’s harsh treatment. Deciding to help this deer survive became a decision that would affect the lives of Helen and Ade forever. For four years afterward, they had the privilege to observe and get to know a growing family of deer throughout the seasons. Hoover’s vivid descriptions are presented with the eye of seasoned naturalist, and her husband’s illustrations further bring the imagery to life.By reading these personal accounts that cover four captivating years, the reader has the opportunity to see nature in its purist form and learn a side of deer behavior that is very rare indeed. The Gift of the Deer is a golden opportunity to absorb a good story and exercise the imagination. I recommend this book to nature lovers of every sort.

What a special book this is! Written by a very special lady. Who had a very special husband. And they lived in a very special place. And they came across a very, very special deer which began their four year period of caring for wonderful Peter Whitetail and his progeny. And whatever wild creature came to them in need.The reader will know what it is like to live in 30 degree below zero winters on the border lake between the U.S. and Canada and the struggle of wildlife to survive in such severe conditions. The reader will know what it is like when outlaw hunters gun tame deer and bear down for sport, leaving the humans who loved them in despair. And the reader will know what it is like for the animals to live in constant fear of and alert for predators and, as the deers age, to become more prone to know defeat.But above all, one has the marvelous experience of getting to know Peter, Mama, a wonderful black bear whose life is cut very short by man, and a host of our forest friends.Helen Hoover, as one reviewer points out, was a woman who was developed on the right and the left side of her brain. A superb intellect was accompanied by a magnanimous heart, by deep feminine feeling values, intuitive grace, and the courage at times to bear the almost unendurable. Her husband was a marvel too. Devoted and dedicated, and very kind. His illustrations are terrific and really capture the mystery and sternness and wonder of the setting and its inhabitants. That they picked up from city life and faced their almost impossible dream successfully is awesome.As for Ms. Hoover's prose, she was a highly gifted writer but, more than that, at times she reaches the heighth (or perhaps I should say depth) of genuine and beautiful poetic prose. I believe, had she had a bent to do so, she could have been as well a highly accomplished poet.This book is a great adventure story. It is Ms. Hoover's gift to humanity.

A favorite winter read. I first read this heartwarming story twenty years ago, and I've returned to it every few years since. Each time I feel I am rediscovering old friends. Helen Hoover's remarkable skills at observing and respecting wild animals in their own element, which I first discovered in her memoir, "A Place in the Woods", bring to life several generations of a family of deer who return each year to Helen & Ade Hoover's cabin in the Minnesota northwoods after they saved the life of Peter, a noble buck who showed up on their porch one winter night after having been shot in the eye. Their care for him, while respecting his wildness and not trying to tame him, led to a loyal trust in them, and each year he returned, bringing his ever-growing family with him. Hoover takes care not to romanticize or attribute human qualities to the deer; rather she brings to life the individual personalities of each of the deer, their family bond, and their innate wisdom. This is NOT "Bambi"; the deer live a hard-scrabble life, but with dignity and grace. Hoover's prose is well-crafted and beautiful to read. I come away from this book each time with a renewed appreciation of the importance of preserving our wildlife and their habitat, and a reminder that humans are not the only wise and intelligent beings on this planet. I am grateful for the gift Helen Hoover shares in this story. With charming line drawings by Ade Hoover.

Well, what can I say about this book when I myself feed deer on our property twice a day??? That I loved it, it touched my heart to the very core and I could completely relate. I have been titled "Snow White" from my friends on Facebook due to the fact that Im such a HUGE animal lover. I feed deer, squirrels and every kind of bird. The author touches the heart strings of all who live their lives and feel the same about animals and nature as does her caring loving husband.These generous people take a starving deer into their lives and provide it with food through a very rough winter and the results? They are rewarded back three fold with not only a beautiful loyal friendly buck who recovers 100% but also he in return touches their lives with his entire family who they are able to watch feed and love and learn so much from. My neighbor feeds our deer also so for her birthday I bought her a copy of this book. I also have ordered the authors other 3 books that go with this one.

Now avaiilable to my Kindle which, as an avid reader, is a God-send as my vision is quite limited. I am able to raise the font size to accommodate my poor vision. This book was a Reader's Digest condensed book way back in the 70's and was always a favorite of mine.

Relating to nature. Several books in the series bybHelen Hoover. Read all of them. Gift of the Derer was the most enjoyable but enjoyed all the books.

While this is not the kind of book I usually seek out, it ended up on my reading table and I was delighted with it. Ms. Hoover has a clear and yet poetic style that created a living tableau of nature in the woods.

Helen has the gift of making the book come alive. One of the better reads I have had. Loved the story,,,,,,,,,