Most of my generation, when they think of Bambi, think of the sentimental Disney movie. But the original book was a serious work. Its one-of-a-kind conception and spectacular writing have earned it classic status as the story of a young deer growing to adulthood in his woodland home. Salten's writing is compelling, and scenes from the story will stay in the mind long after reading, to be often recalled and savored. This Bambi lives a grim and dangerous life, his world filled with blood and fear -- and most of his troubles emanate from the dreaded Man.Bambi's response to his pitiless world is to emulate his distant father, exiling himself from the company of others -- even Faline, his mate. In abandoning these relationships, he chooses a solitary life in which he accepts loneliness (his own and Faline's) as the price of his safety.There is a clear sense that Bambi's coming-of-age is defined by no longer needing to rely on others. His relationship with his father begins when the old stag rebukes him for calling his mother: "Your mother has no time for you. Can't you stay by yourself?" Later in life, his father befriends him and teaches him to move through the forest so that he is never seen. The relationship ends when his father leaves him to die alone. Bambi then passes on the heritage of solitude by rebuking two fawns for crying after their mother.In contrast to this message of isolationism, the Bible teaches that a solitary existence falls short of God's plan (Genesis 2:18). Rather than affirming interdependence as a sign of weakness, Scripture teaches that people are meant to live in community (Ecclesiastes 4:12; 1 Corinthians 12:12; and Hebrews 10:24-25). Rather than becoming stronger when we withdraw from others, being alone actually makes us more vulnerable to attack.The romantic appeal of Bambi's self-chosen exile has an especial attraction in our individualistic culture. Adults will need to use discernment about when a child is ready for this book. The reader ought to be mature enough to critically engage Salten's perspective without being drawn into his isolationist impulse. Since the message is embedded in a masterfully written story, parents should be cautious about introducing it too early, but at the right time it ought to provide excellent material for discussion.
The book, Bambi, is slightly different than its Disney counterpart. I know, big surprise. There are still many similarities and in general the two versions track. The book begins with the birth of Bambi and his all-important first relationship with his gentle, loving mother, his childhood friendship with Faline and his early learning about ‘Him’ (who is never named) but we know to be man or men, specifically hunters with their third arm. In time Bambi becomes aware of the old stag who continues to appear during critical moments in the young buck’s life. One day the true identity of this pivotal mentor is revealed to Bambi. My description below gives away part of the ending, so if you want to be surprised, don't read on. But do read the book! I need to re-watch the movie to see if this scene is included and how it was handled. Spoiler Alert! One day upon hearing three shots fired in the woods, the old stag, Bambi’s father, leads his son to the scene of the shooting, the very last place Bambi wants to go. There at his feet Bambi sees ‘Him’, or as he now knows, just an ordinary man, the victim of a shooting. The dialogue between the two deer is illustrative of a revelation and is as follows:‘“Do you see Bambi,” the old stag went on, “do you see how He’s lying there dead like one of us? Listen Bambi. He isn’t all-powerful as they say. Everything that lives and grows doesn’t come from Him. He isn’t above us. He’s just the same as we are. He has the same fears, the same needs, and suffers in the same way. He can be killed like us, and then he lies helpless on the ground like all the rest of us, as you see Him now.” There was a silence.“Do you understand me Bambi?” asked the old stag.“I think so.” Bambi said in a whisper.“Then speak,” the old stag commanded. Bambi was inspired, and said trembling, “There is Another who is over us all, over us and over Him.”“Now I can go,” said the old stag.’Bambi is a classic which I pray will never go out of style or print, not because I’m necessarily advocating one way or another on the issues of guns or hunting, but because it’s a story with the important reminder that there is One greater than all of us—men and beasts—and He cares very much for all His creatures, great and small.
What do You think about Bambi (1988)?
After being told by my mother that this book was "nothing like the Disney version," I came prepared to read something like Watership Down for Children. Surprise! Not really.This book actually was very like the Disney movie, as I remember it (and it's been quite a few years). It begins with Bambi's birth in a meadow and continues by cataloging his discoveries and experiences one by one: meeting a squirrel, conversing with a screech owl, meeting Aunt Ena and cousin Faline. There's no Bashful or Thumper here and no charming icy pond sequence...and no forest fire. However, there really is an "Old Prince," and Bambi's mother really does die. The less dramatic, cinematic bits of the Disney movie might have been lifted straight from Salten's pages.However, Salten's major theme didn't quite make it in. All of Bambi's experiences throughout the book are building to one major revelation about the nature of life, of nature, of wild animals vs. domestic animals, and the events that contribute to this revelation didn't quite make the final Disney cut. I'm not sure if I agree with Salten's view of domestic vs. wild and the role of man in nature, but I did find his conclusions thought-provoking. I'd say this book is worth a rainy Sunday afternoon.
—Julianne
"'He was very nice to me. And I like him so much. He's so wonderful and green...""'Can it be true,' said the first leaf, 'can it really be true, that others come to take our places when we're gone and after them still others, and more and more?''It is really true,' whispered the second leaf. 'We can't even begin to imagine it, it's beyond our powers.''It makes me very sad,' added the first lead.They were silent for a while. Then the first leaf said quietly to herself, 'Why must we fall?'...The second lead asked, 'What happens to us when we have fallen?''We sink down...''What is under us?'The first leaf answers, 'I don't know, some say one thing, some another, but nobody knows.'The second lead asked, 'Do we feel anything, do we know anything about ourselves when we're down there?'The first leaf answered, 'Who knows? Not one of all those down there has ever come back to tell us about it.'They were silent again. Then the first leaf said tenderly to the other, 'Don't worry so much about it, you're trembling.''That's nothing,' the second leaf answered, 'I tremble at the least thing now. I don't feel so sure of my hold as I used to.'(........)She was silent, but went on after a little while, 'Which of us will go first?''There's still plenty of time to worry about that,' the other lead assured her. 'Let's remember how beautiful it was, how wonderful, when the sun came out and shone so warmly that we thought we'd burst with life. Do you remember? And the morning dew, and the mild and splendid nights....'(........)'No, really,' the first lead exclaimed eagerly, 'believe me, you're as lovely as the day you were born. Here and there may be a little yellow spot but it's hardly noticeable and only makes you handsomer, believe me.''Thanks,' whispered the second leaf, quite touched. 'I don't believe you, not altogether, but I thank you because you're so kind, you've always been so kind to me. I'm just beginning to understand how kind you are.'"
—Maggie Campbell
The differences between this book and Disney's animated version are many. As others have already mentioned, this is definitely a darker tale. I thought the beginning was slow, but by the first appearance of the fall season I was hooked. I hope that other adults will not shy away from giving this children's classic a try. You will not be disappointed.Now that the story is over I find myself still mulling over the conversation between the two leaves. I have great respect for Salten's ability to evoke empathy for something as seemingly innocuous as a leaf. I'm also mentally munching on the face-off between the fox and the hound. That scene was incredible.
—Dionisia
