Customer Reviews

The Wolves of Time (1) - Journeys to the Heartland: Journeys to the Heartland v. 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

William Horwood's work can be tough going at times, however his words bring a sadness and poignancy. The story follows a diverse set of wolves from across Europe, each grieving for loss of love, relations or times past. They hope to form a pack and regain lost territory: The Heartland. The story meanders somewhat, although pulls together at enough points throughout to ensure you keep reading. It feels at times padded, and if you can make it through those chapters, then you'll be content at a well wrapped up conclusion, and probably pick up the second book if you're out of first choice material.

Horwood paints a gloomy picture of Man's civilisation breaking down and Nature taking back over, in the near future. As always there is a strong religious and mystical subtext, drawing heavily on Buddhism and Christianity and animist traditions.

Unusually for Horwood, the writing is convoluted and laboured, and redolent of writers block. A shame, as this could have been a great book.

For Horwood at his best, read "Duncton Wood", "Skallagrigg" or "The Stonor Eagles" to see why I usually regard him as one of the greatest English writers of the late 20th century.

The Wolves of time is one of those books that brings you so close to the earth and wildlife that you can almost smell it. The series is a standalone two books that is brilliantly written with such inspiring events, lovable characters and heart wrenching moments that few who enter this world of the wolves will ever find their way back out.

Unlike black beauty it does not follow the singular story of one animal, but many and it takes you on a far more powerful and epic tale than Black Beauty. But it also tells and shows you what humans did and do to wolves and tries to give you and idea of how much fear and terror these animals live it. But still it captures the imagination and if you have a burning love for these animals then this books is ideal for you.

And even if you're not the book is still a great read. Great storyline, amazing plotting and such a vibrant religion created for the wolves you'll find it hard at times to believe that this is only a story.

A must read, but perhaps not everyone's cup of tea due to its dramatic writing style, but you can definitely give it a try.

Insanely Yours

Gollumfryingeggs

this book was one of the best i have ever read. i felt it brought to lifer so key flaws in humanities existence, especially the desrtuction and despoilation of the natural world. i felt it also offered an elusive hope, that mankind is not all bad and is rightly able to take its place within nature. an excellent, book, i read it as much as i can and eagerly await the next two!

To quote the answer from William Horwood:

When Volume 1 [of The Wolves of Time] was published in the UK as a hardback it was extremely successful. Unfortunately a trade dispute between the publisher HarperCollins and our biggest book retailer WH Smith meant that the latter took punitive action against the former in the autumn of WOLVES 1 paperbacking, along with two other of that publisher's autumn titles. As a result Volume 1 of Wolves was effectively wiped out. Because trilogies rely on a high sale of the initial volume to sell on the next two volumes there was statistically no chance of Vols 2 & 3 having significant sales. Publishers and the public are unforgiving and attach blame to authors not themselves and booksellers [...] I myself took the decision to rewrite Volume 2 to include the main part of Volume 3. Effectively it was Volume 2 that was scrapped not Volume 3.

I've been searching high and low to find this book again after losing my last copy. It's the kind of read where you get drawn into to the trials of life within the wolves pack. Once i started reading the book i just couldn't put it down. The book reads as if you'd feel emotions and joys throught each pack members. A definite read again book along with the follow on book 'Seekers of WulfRock'.

good fun, but a bit hard to get into. my kinda book! if you like this try jean auels the clan of the cave bear

As a fan of Horwood's works, I was excited to see a new series. However, I found this book very dissapointing. The framework is tiresome - the introduction to each character is so long, it covers 3/4 of the book. I loved the idea of the wolves reclaiming their space and of Nature asserting "her" postion over Man. The characters are interesting and diverse. Unfortunately, I was so tired of the book by the time the story actually started, I really didn't care what happened next. The lack of coherence is draining.

A brilliant book. I couldn't put it down until I'd read the last page. The characters were bought to life fantastically. I loved every minute of it, it almost gives the sense of being there and witnessing what the wolves see, do and experience. This is one of the best books I've ever read and I recommend it to anyone wanting a really good read. I can't wait to read the sequel. An absolutely fantastic book.

if you are a william horwood fan, then this book is a must. I was glued from the first page. I cant wait for further books in this series.