An acclaimed memoir that captivated readers with its raw portrayal of grief and the healing power of nature is now taking flight on the big screen. Claire Foy leads the cast in the new film adaptation of Helen Macdonald's award-winning book, H is for Hawk.
A Soaring Audiobook Journey Through Loss
As the film prepares for its release, the original source material continues to resonate deeply, particularly in its audiobook form. It has been nearly 12 years since the book's publication, a work that chronicles Macdonald's experience training a Eurasian goshawk named Mabel following the sudden death of their father.
The book was a phenomenal success, winning major literary prizes and inspiring a trend for memoirs about transformative encounters with animals. In the audiobook, Macdonald themself serves as the narrator, bringing a unique depth of introspection, curiosity, and flashes of humour to their reading.
Mabel the Goshawk: A 'Spooky Psychopath' as Healer
Macdonald, an experienced falconer and naturalist who is non-binary, details the challenging process of taming the temperamental young goshawk. They describe Mabel as a "spooky, pale-eyed psychopath" with a playful side, who enjoyed games with scrunched-up paper. The narrative powerfully illustrates how this intense, primal relationship helped Macdonald navigate a period of grief that bordered on insanity.
The memoir is skilfully interspersed with biographical passages about writer T.H. White, author of The Goshawk, which documented his own harsh and unsuccessful attempts at falconry in the 1930s. While these sections provide fascinating context, it is in the vivid conjuring of Mabel's life and fierce character that Macdonald's prose truly reaches its zenith.
Further Listening Recommendations
For those captivated by the audiobook format, Penguin Audio offers additional compelling listens. Mel Robbins narrates her motivational self-help book The Let Them Theory, advocating for confidence and letting go of the need to control others' opinions.
Meanwhile, A History of England in 25 Poems, narrated by Catherine Clarke, provides an eclectic auditory journey through the nation's past, featuring works from the Agincourt Carol to Edward Thomas's beloved Adlestrop.
The H is for Hawk audiobook, running for 11 hours and 5 minutes, remains a profoundly affecting experience. It is a testament to how confronting the wildness of nature can guide us through the most profound human sorrows.
