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. ( )

Salten intended this book to be read by adults. Apparently it is a metaphor about oppressed people, such as Jews; the Nazis who banned and burned it thought so. The first English translation was done by Whittaker Chambers (of Alger Hiss fame) and because of copyright problems, no other translation could be done until recently. I found the New Yorker article , "'Bambi' is Even Bleaker Than You Thought" by Kathryn Schulz (https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/01/24/bambi-is-even-bleaker-than-you-thought), more informative than Jack Zipes' introduction.

Maybe bleak is the right word for the story; certainly it is not a warm cozy tale of frolicking animals. Humans, referred to as "He" with a capital H, are a dangerous intrusion on natural forest life. One deer, to his deep regret, learns that, although he is welcomed and cared for by Him, He cannot be trusted. I can see this incident as a warning that passing may only work to a certain extent; is Salten saying that He can always recognize the other? After all, a deer can't pretend to be human. There are some lovely, sweet bits and some gloomy, sad ones and some important life lessons and they balance out: this is not a happily-ever-after story, more a realization that life is difficult but survivable. I'm reminded of the end of Candide>---"we must cultivate our garden." ( )

Better than the Disney adaptation ( )

A very well written children's novel. Bambi, A Life in the Woods by Felix Salten makes you think about how everything in the world, by nature, isn't claimed by one being (from humans, to other animals, even to plant life). Very, different from Walt Disney's animated film but just as charming. Reading the book you'll come to the realization that Disney cannot be blamed for the death of Bambi's mother because it was Salten who cam up with the idea. Gobo, Bambi's male cousin, was also an interesting character because that's when you see there is no good or evil in "He" (the name called for humans in the book). My favorite chapter, however, was one where two leaves are having a conversation amongst themselves wondering what happens when they fall off the tree. Overall, I recommend it to anyone who likes books on nature. ( )

There are many people who simply know Bambi for Disney, and many more who know Bambi as a boring movie. The book is anything but boring, beyond the scene of his mother dying there's more deaths. This is a story about animals who think Man rules above them until a secret is revealed by the Prince of the Forest at the end before his death. Bambi's story is timeless, not for kids, and very much a Watership Down type of kids story.

There is childish free moments, and then they grow up, there is age and life and having kids, and there is Bambi taking his rightful place as Prince at the end, after scolding two deer much like his dad once scolded him. Those deer being his kids, but like the film ending, him not involved in their lives.

This book is a must have simply on how classic it is, illustrations of beauty, amazing scenes, powerful dialogue and text, there's something about the original tale that really gets you in the heart if you love nature.

This book and the Disney movie would go on to inspire the creation of so much, Kimba the Lion was inspired by Disney's Bambi, and in turn another controversial show or two would emerge. There was a lot born from this book, and it's influence continues to this day. I'd dare say Farthing Woods got some inspiration from Bambi, but I cannot back the opinion up myself. ( )