Perri (novel)

Perri

First UK edition
Author Felix Salten
Original title 'Die Jogend des Eichornchens Perri[1]
Publisher Bobbs-Merrill Company (US)
Jonathan Cape (UK)
Publication date
 1938

Perri is a 1938 novel by Felix Salten, author of Bambi, A Life in the Woods, and is a followup to that book. Its title character is an Eurasian red squirrel.[1] Bambi makes a brief appearance in Perri.

In 1957, Walt Disney adapted it into a True Life Fantasy of the same name.

Plot

The story begins with a human child named, Annerle, saving Perri's mother from a marten. Afterwards Perri goes off searching for her mother, when she is then attacked by a crow, but is later saved by her mother. Later on, Perri's mother takes her to another part of the forest, where she meets the black squirrel, Mirro, and her playmate, Porro. Through the course of the novel, Porro begins to wonder about love. Later on he and Perri witness Bambi trying to keep a buck from being lured by He (the animals term for man). Later on, a red squirrel named Flame-Red comes to the forest, telling everyone his story about how he was captured by He, but later escaped. Everyone but Mirro and Porro believes him. Porro even tries to prove that his story is a lie, even going to see, Annerle, to ask her if it were true. Around that time, Perri begins to miss her mother, so she ask Annerle if she has seen her, but to no avail. It's then revealed to the reader that her mother was killed by an unknown predator. Later on, Perri's oak tree is chopped down by He, so she and Porro search for new homes. Perri grows up and starts developing feelings for Porro. While she searches for him, Mirro tries to make her his mate, but is rebuffed. When she finds Porro, he confesses his love for her. But Mirro brutally attacks Porro, and right when he is about to claim Perri, Flame-Red attacks Mirro for Perri, as well. While they are fighting, Perri and Porro run away together to another forest. After years of never seeing Annerle, Perri and Porro decide to revisit the forest. When they arrive, they noticed that Annerle has grown up and no longer understands what they're saying. When she tries to pet one of them, Perri and Porro run back to the forest, vowing never to return.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Thorington, Richard W. and Ferrell, Katie. Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide. ISBN 0-8018-8402-0. Johns Hopkins University Press. Accessed January 14, 2008.