The Original Bambi: The Story of a Life in the Forest

By Felix Salten

Book Overview

A new, beautifully illustrated translation of Felix Salten's celebrated novel Bambi--the original source of the beloved story

Most of us think we know the story of Bambi--but do we? The Original Bambi is an all-new, illustrated translation of a literary classic that presents the story as it was meant to be told. For decades, readers' images of Bambi have been shaped by the 1942 Walt Disney film--an idealized look at a fawn who represents nature's innocence--which was based on a 1928 English translation of a novel by the Austrian Jewish writer Felix Salten. This masterful new translation gives contemporary readers a fresh perspective on this moving allegorical tale and provides important details about its creator.

Originally published in 1923, Salten's story is more somber than the adaptations that followed it. Life in the forest is dangerous and precarious, and Bambi learns important lessons about survival as he grows to become a strong, heroic stag. Jack Zipes's introduction traces the history of the book's reception and explores the tensions that Salten experienced in his own life--as a hunter who also loved animals, and as an Austrian Jew who sought acceptance in Viennese society even as he faced persecution.

With captivating drawings by award-winning artist Alenka Sottler, The Original Bambi captures the emotional impact and rich meanings of a celebrated story.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0691197741
• ISBN13: 9780691197746
• Release Date: February 2022
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.7" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Chambers' Translation of Bambi (1923, 1929)

I learned that there are 2 translations of the original 1923 book. I couldn't find Zipes' translation here, but I ended up getting Chambers' translation and that translation I ended getting isn't bad by any means. It's poetic and the dark themes are there. The political allegory is somewhat toned down unlike Zipes' translation. Other than that though, Chambers' version is a solid translation of the great original story overall.

Not for young kids

There is a general impression that this is the perfect book for a small child, based of course on the Disney movie which was softened up considerably (though not entirely) to make it more fun and charming. While the book does have a few enchanting passages, it also has some fairly disturbing ones that will not be suitable for kids younger than middle school. It all depends on the child, of course. It's an excellent book, provided one views it as an allegory of mentorship (particularly man to man mentorship), coming to grips with evil and loss, and learning to cope with injustice in the world. Taken more literally, it portrays human beings as relentlessly evil, while the animals of the woods stand as their helpless victims. This was written in central Europe in the 1920's (as Hitler rose), so that may give some context to its dark view of things. At any rate, to see it as a legitimate rebuke to human beings, or hunters, as they exist in the real world is outside of the bounds of rationality. To state what is obvious, animals are not actually talking and thinking personal beings as the book describes. Nor are real humans in savage enmity with the wild animals in nature. If this book is shared with a kid, it would be important to be sure that they know how to see a story in a symbolic way, and not to take it as a description of the real world.

Here Is the Real Bambi

This is not the nauseatingly cute and precious Disney version. This is the REAL Bambi, the version where a terrible creature called MAN is the enemy, and where the cute and cuddly forest creatures die, and die horribly because of said MAN.Like Black Beauty, Bambi is a plea for the rights of animals. The message was not lost on me as a young girl, nor is it lost on me now. The senselessness of hunting (my personal point of view) is described in terms an older child can understand--and remember. But a word to parents. Bambi's beloved, gentle, wonderful mother is shot and dies. That's enough to traumatize a young child right there (I didn't do so well with it either, and I was around 8 or 9). There is a vicious, graphically described forest fire. There is the death of the noble, revered (both by Bambi, the forest creatures, and the reader) Great Stag. In the end, Bambi comes into great stagdom himself, and we look to him to continue to try to save the forest and everybody in it.This is a book, however innocent it seems, that can literally change a life. It did mine, and I know it did others whom I knew and have met since. My lifelong horror of hunting definitely came from this book, as did my reluctance to "cull" the deer that run wild in suburban Pennsylvania, eating one's roses. I don't want them to do it, and I see the logical reason for a "cull," but I cannot abide the thought.I think every older child should read this version of Bambi as part of one's coming of age. It's a masterpiece of its kind.

A true classic for all of the family!

I first read Bambi 30 years ago and was lucky enough to find a 1929 copy that I will hold dear to my heart forever. The author takes you deep into the forest where you become one of the animals. You can feel the cold and smell the fear among them when the two-legged animal called "Man" arrives. It allows readers to immerse themselves in the world, seeing it from an animal's point of view. It's a great book to share with kids and a valuable learning experience about the ways of nature. At times it is cruel and very true to life. It teaches respect for our elders, and love of family. We stand back and watch Bambi grow stronger until he has a sense of wisdom that only experience can bring. This is truly a book to share with your kids. It is so much more than a Disney cartoon.

Best Book Ever

This is an excllent book. It describes every detail. When you read this you will actually think that you are really there where the event is happening. My daughter who is 12 loved this book so much that she has already read it 4 times. It's about a young deer who grows up to be a handsome, strong prince. He faces many hard and sad times, and you may even cry a couple of times but it is a wonderful book! Your children will love this. If you like reading about animals you should love this story!

Absolutely wonderful

The only reason I read Bambi by Felix Salten was because I thought the Disney movie was kind of "cute."THE BOOK IS SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER.This isn't exactly what you would call a children's book. Salten has written what some would almost call a satire about survival in the woods and the dangers of manpower. This book (along with Salten's other book, Fifteen Rabbits) has been the only book that has moved me to tears. This is a must-read for ANYONE. You won't be able to put it down. But, beware, there are some pretty moving and powerful scenes in this story, so have some kleenexes ready! (In the end, EVERY major character, including Faline, his father, etc., is killed except for Bambi and his two young children.)P.S.--If you liked this book, be sure to go out and read Salten's other book about forest life, except this time from a rabbit's point of view: Fifteen Rabbits. You'll love it!

A must read for every child AND adult...

Bambi has everything: lessons in the trials and obsticles of growing up, humanity, humor, adventure, and love, among many others. I read Bambi when I was about 10, and it made a great impact upon my outlook on life as a child. It is so poetic and simple but it cuts deep, and it's a hard book to forget. Now that I'm in college, I made my boyfriend read it, and he said it was one of the best children's lit. books he's ever read! It is extremely effective in all aspects. Don't forget to read Bambi's Children by the same author!!