The Snow Goose (NEW EDITION) by Paul Gallico and illustrated by Angela Barrett (ISBN 978-0-091-89382-8)

Widely acknowledged as a modern classic, I was interested to see what this new edition with illustrations by the acclaimed illustrator, Angela Barrett, had to offer.
I had forgotten how deeply emotional and poetic Gallico tells his tale of unexpected love and loss. As if by soothsayer enlightenment, we can read between the lines and see the words that Gallico does not write and understand the depth of feeling and the tragedy of the story - of a man lost to the world, found by a young girl and bound together by the homing instincts of a Snow Goose. La Princesse Perdue allows them both to feel a part of something more than their separate lives... Gallico portrays the pain, cruelty, warmth and compassion of humanity with devastating brilliance. They just don't write them like this anymore, which is a real shame.
Barrett manages to capture the wildness and beauty of the marsh lands and also brings the story to life with stark imagery.
If you enjoyed this the first time around, you will not be disappointed. If this is your first time - you are in for a super treat - like the last gasp of a dying age - this is poignant, moving and resonant of the turbulent times in which it is set.