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It's been a while since I've been able to exercise regularly enough to listen to audio books, but I'm back on the wagon again, and I started off by checking out Where The Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. It's the story of a boy who lives in the Ozarks and dreams of nothing but to have two hounds so that he can go hunting with them. The book basically tells the story of how he gets his hounds as well as a few stories of their adventures.

I liked that this novel valued hard work, honesty, and integrity. Its protagonist, Billy, always has a good sense of those three qualities. But, in a way, that actually detracts from the novel, because the lead character is so static. He always does the right thing, and always has the best intentions. It's slightly boring because there are no surprises in how he'll react to any circumstance.

On the other hand, there are some exciting adventures, and some hard life experiences, which I think would be good for the young reader to process. There are a couple of deaths, and sometimes they can be graphic, which I actually thought rather healthy. I could totally see a young boy reading this book and enjoying it for the fun, the action, and the simple thoughts of its narrator.

For me at my age, it was a little bit slow to go through so many episodes of Billy's life with his dogs without feeling like there was some sort of growth or progression happening. It just seemed to meander, kind of like Moll Flanders in that aspect. Even so, in that last chapter, I did get a tiny bit teary-eyed, so it wasn't completely unaffecting for me. I think it was love of dogs that drew me in. I just couldn't resist Little Anne, and was so sad for her.

I'm off to another side of the world with my next audio book, which is A Passage to India. I am also reading The Road a little more actively right now.