Farley Mowat, Great Teller Of True Tales

8 Pages 2052 Words

Farley Mowat, a Canadian author, has realized great success throughout the world. His vast collection of published books and articles illustrate Canadian lifestyles, cultures, and environments, as seen through the eyes of an eccentric traveler. For adults, he writes books filled with underlying documentation ranging from the rapidly diminishing populations of both animals and natives in the north, to direct attacks on the Canadian federal government. For children, he writes tales of wonderful adventures filled with the curious and vital spirit of youth. These stories also find the barren arctic as the primary setting, but concentrate more on relationships and personal growth than politics. However, Mowat still incorporates a sense of realism in his works for children which provides the readers with a basic knowledge of the northern environment, its populations, and their habits and customs. It is this element of realism which has brought Farley Mowat under the magnifying glass, into a world of controversy and debate.
Mowat is best known for his portrayals of the arctic region of Keewatin, where he personally spent time with the natives and the animals in their barren habitat. The research and experiences Mowat accumulated during his arctic retreat led to his first novel, People of the Deer (1952), a story which depicts the horrible conditions of the natives and their dwindling food supplies as a direct result of the Canadian federal government’s inaction (Goddard 49). The region of Keewatin also led to further of Mowat’s most popular books such as The Desperate People (1959), and Never Cry Wolf (1963). These books continued the arsenal on the federal government’s inability to protect its natives, while beautifully depicting the natural environment of the north. For children, Mowat uses Keewatin as a setting for adventure in Lost in the Barrens (1956), and the sequel The Curse of the Viking Grave (1966). These books team up a yo...