The Peregrine - J.A. Baker BOOK REVIEW

[@feanor7080]

“Read, read, read, read, read. “ - Werner Herzog

[@PriestBeats]

Oh yes that’s were I also came from

[@Irhamwashere]

Masterclass

[@skjoldursvarturskikkjan7860]

'Spassky, do you prefer sex or chess?' 'Depends on the position.'

[@IndieAuthorX]

xD

[@titiavandeneertwegh3170]

😆

[@Philliben1991]

I favour The Bishops Opening.

[@DiamorphineDeath]

I raise you a Ruy Lopez my good man.

[@lyndao7356]

Oh wow!! I'm 70. I'm going to read The Peregrine. I hope I live long enough to experience the change I'm going to experience.

[@ilqrd.6608]

what?

[@FriendshipIslander]

Lynda! If you’re looking for transformation, exhilaration, freedom and a self-sacrificing love of excruciating intensity, read the words of Jesus. He loves you more than anything. This is my first ever comment in over 15 years of watching KZbin everyday. “Look at the birds of the air. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

[@paulpueblaiv954]

@@FriendshipIslander 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@FriendshipIslander]

Hey Paul, thanks for commenting, you’re my first reply. Jesus loves you too Paul, and so do I. Have a great day today🙏🏻

[@shanestritch7578]

Your videos are simply great. The knowledge, insight and overall enthusiasm is infectious.

[@tuliplouart]

The Peregrine is a relatively short book that has taken me several months to complete lol. I'm close to being done, but like you said, it's definitely one of those books that you have to savor like wine. But as a bird lover, it's definitely one of my favorite books I've read so far.

Since your "better than friday" from last week, I was waiting to see your review! Thank you again, Sargent.

[@21vgkoab]

Loved the review. I need to read this book. I love nature writing especially when done well. If you enjoy nature writing you should try the Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd. It's a short book less than 150 pages. The book is written about the writers experience in the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland and the prose is pure dream like poetry. I know what you mean when you say you dont remember the book after you read it. I sometimes find with great literature it's the writers essence and oneness with experience that you are left with after reading the book rather than what they actually wrote. I recently finished The Waves by Virginia Woolf written in a stream of consciousness style that was quite difficult to get through and follow but after finishing the book you do understand and feel the great sense of loss and sadness she was writing about.

[@jamesbuntyn2571]

So six months ago I watched this review, unsurprisingly what followed was me buying it. Just got to say after experiencing this book I am completely in tune with your description of the masterpiece.

[@gabriellas]

at the risk of sounding really weird, i've always wanted to be a bird, even had dreams about flying quite vividly. i take care of the birds near my house, and they sound so lovely in the mornings :)

[@steeping]

Antony and the johnsons - Bird Gehrl

[@williamneal9076]

Birds are very territorial. Just saying. ;)

[@30secondsflat]

You had me at “Blood Meridian” sir.

[@uniquechannelnames]

I've noticed that any vocation practiced to a deep enough extent can gift a beautiful perception on any facet of life, or any facet of the vocation itself. When you pursue a passion with dedication and depth, you essentially anchor your life to it and build both a lens to perceive it through and a mirror to bounce metaphors about life off of. It pays off in many ways to really master something. That's why the great bodybuilders, the great chess players, passionate birdwatchers, boxers, etc etc... Can draw beautiful metaphors about life through the lens of their passion.

[@calum3452]

Some books I’d LOVE to see reviewed on this channel: •A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess •Lunar Park//White - Bret Easton Ellis •The Secret History - Donna Tartt •The Beach - Alex Garland •Trainspotting - Irvine Welsh •Purity - Johnathan Franzen •Hells Angels - H.S.T •Choke - Chuck Palahniuk Thanks for another great review Cliff, I’ve read and enjoyed so many of the books you’ve recommended

[@georgegreig8054]

If there's any reviews of Irvine Welsh other books I'm unsubscribing immediately!

[@roachboy8583]

@@georgegreig8054 you radge!

[@georgegreig8054]

@@roachboy8583 Naw am no!

[@uniquechannelnames]

A Clockwork Orange is one of the coolest linguistic sensations to experience, picking up on the slang organically. I think it's a great analogy for learning a foreign language. Engaging with material that you understand about 80% of, and your brain will help you learn what you don't understand. Scuh a great book. Also the fact he wrote it in like 3 weeks i believe.

[@henrybogle8437]

@@uniquechannelnames has 150-160 neologisms, film version would have to have subtitles to be like it

[@lunaticw1tch572]

You are the best! Thank you for inspire me and motivate me to continue with my bookstagram. It's such a good thing to see people who loves literature just like I do

[@JavierCarrilloMilla]

A passion like this can't be faked. What a contagious feast here. Thaaaaanks!

[@AndyAlam-x1q]

“Terror seeks out the odd, and the sick, and the lost.” ― J.A. Baker, The Peregrine

[@TheJellFreak]

This has been on my reading list ever since I've read H is for Hawk by Macdonald and The Goshawk by White... now I'm even more intrigued thanks to your review.

[@irena7777777]

H Is For Hawk is a beautiful book.

[@alexlessordinary1987]

The Goshawk is such a great book

[@irena7777777]

@@alexlessordinary1987 I need to read this too

[@HenryItzNiine]

The prose in this book is, at times, unparalleled.

[@domar1]

Thank you for this compelling review. I started but never finished the book, because I was reading it slowly, then forgot about it, as you've said, the beginning, middle and end are all the same. however, I was so intrigued by the lack of context about the narrator. Where is he, where does he sleep, eat, work, how is he doing this? Total mystery. Very Herzogian.

[@align9218]

Plz read My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk, if u get the chance. It's a novel by Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish writer who won the nobel prize in literature.

[@dhruvkandhari8398]

An outstanding book. I also loved The Black Book and Snow.

[@lizardslaw2661]

This stream-of-consciousness type of review, so authentic , impassioned and effective !

[@zakwan10]

I just discovered your channel a few days ago, and you have an absolutely awesome channel, the passion. you have for reading, the wit and personality are great. I finally found a book reviewer I can relate to, so many on here are younger women reviewing YA novels or dudes talking about stories with dragons and wizards, keep up the great work.

[@jabolko]

You describe this book with a passion. You realy show us how much you liked it. I will read it..

[@teebbeeis]

I used to have it as required reading for my students. The Peregrine, The Old Man and The Sea, and The Little Prince. Those three books have so many ideas that younger people need to internalize as soon as they can comprehend them.

[@NOPE.S.P.]

This book soars! I normally don't relish the more descriptive, setting-heavy prose, but this one transcended my biases. I will never look at birds the same way. Thanks for reviewing this one.

[@perryedwards535]

Really appreciate the review because I too just love this remarkable book. Doubt one could ever find an author better at describing time alone in nature and setting a mood the way Baker did. So sad that he did not live to see the Peregrines’ recovery from the devastation of DDT.

[@stewartconacher6552]

Personaly I regard this book as one of the finest works of twentiety century literature and as you say one to savour slowly like a glass of fine wine.There is a good biography of this quiet unassuming writer called "My House Of Sky" by Hetty Saunders which includes his poetry which is unavaible elsewhere.

[@michaelshouse9430]

I'm relatively new to reading and it's been a bit difficult for me to stay hooked on The Peregrine. I was about to DNF. But after this review, I'll give it one more shot. Thanks!

[@manifold.curiosity]

Delighted to hear about this book! I don't need to be convinced about birdwatching, it's cool just to watch how they go making a living especially the migratory species that might've crossed hemispheres to hang out in one's garden. But pagan pursuit of a peregrine, that sounds wild!

[@matthewyard4874]

Thank you for adding yet another book to my reading list! I just finished Martin McDonagh’s play “The Pillowman.” If you have not read it I highly recommend it based on your tastes. Plus, you can easily finish it in one sitting (although I promise you’ll be thinking about it for a lot longer than that). It is definitely better than food.

[@williamneal9076]

You totally hit it. Glad you found it and here have blown the thing out of the day. Hope like hell the folks blow the hell out of the Amazon site link. I too followed Herzog's advice on this one and haven't regretted it. FORM. THE FORM. AH, onward. To find it for my next story. Buena Suerte with yours. Doing quite well so far. Damn. Blasted it. Fantastic Review.

[@oldbianchismooth9459]

Just been to the Chelmsford museum! Picked up a copy on the way out

[@gjdj9213]

A truly great book. End of story. Thank you Sir for this review.

[@tomriordan6008]

Thank you for another great book review! Your channel is helping me get through the lockdown.

[@macbookpro111]

It is a wonderful book, but it always puzzled me: " did he not know the difference between a 'hawk' and a 'falcon'? Arent peregrines Falcons? Hum. Doesn't change how good the book is though, but it was just interesting to see the lack of distinction.

[@taniaearle4457]

Out to get a copy today! Cheers for the review :)

[@ramadhan1481]

what a review, hope you doing okay there

[@00Linares00]

Language on this book is particularly hard for non native-speakers because of all the names of nature. Still really liked it.

[@fanniflorahenics5071]

Embers by Sándor Márai is an unbelievably moving novel. Would highly recommend if you are interested in Hungarian literature. Great channel!

[@LuneFlaneuse]

Incredible review!

[@timothyskipworth4077]

First read about 'The Peregrine' in a long, brilliant article in 'The Guardian' by the great landscape writer Robert Macfarlane about folk horror and folk horror-adjacent books, films and TV called 'The Eeriness of the English Countryside'. It's still online and well worth a read.

[@Bookspine5]

Serpent and the Rainbow !!! That´s a book I need to complete :) P.S. I enjoy your descriptive words :D

[@Crowborn]

The video's beginning reminds me of Studies in the Art of Rat Catching, a fictional/non-fictional...thing... That just needs to be experienced to be understood.

[@Adietc]

You are such an inspiration! I started after watching your videos.

[@christianracle4796]

Hi Cliff, I only discovered your channel a week ago while I was randomly searching new reviews on Houellebecq (who I idolize!) Your absolute honesty and passion for the books you are sharing with us is extra- ordinary. I think you could be interested by the French writer Emmanuel Carrere (my 2nd best writer after who you know!). His novel "Un Roman Russe" is a perfect start and then maybe "The Adversary" and "The Kingdom" or his amazing bio of Philipp k Dick called "I am Alive and you are dead".

[@BeauJames59]

Portland rocks. Mt Tabor, Hawthorne Blvd, NW Portland and Balch Creek are some high points.

[@alext7621]

Great review as always. I've been meaning to pick this one up for a while. Have you ever read any Daniel Woodrell? After the serenity of The Peregrine, Woodrell's grimy, noirish depiction of life in the Ozarks might be the perfect palate cleanser.

[@paulhoban1778]

Please read and review City of Glass and The Locked Room by Paul Auster, the first and last installments of his New York Trilogy

[@painbow6528]

I read this based on your review. The first two chapters detailing his interest in bird watching were indeed exquisite. The prose is gorgeous and sets up a passion which borders on obsession. But I have to say, I found the diary portion to be hugely repetitive with endless descriptions of the same colours, the same landscapes, the same north easterly winds, the same list of birds (woodpigeon, lapwing, plover on and on). He occasionally returns to the wonderful language seen in the opening chapters, usually when he tangents onto a separate, more personal subject. The one you mention about animals fearing humans and another when he describes a fox. But other than that, it just repeats, repeats and repeats. Reading those opening chapters got me very excited about what was to come but the following diary section was a rather dull and turgid experience. It felt like one of those books that one reviewer loved, then another, then the next. Eventually, it simply developed a reputation for excellence based on the poetic beauty of those opening chapters alone. The diary stuff doesn't match up to that. None the less, I embraced Baker's passion and fascination. I recognised his great gift for language. But only wish he would have applied it to a more fictional setting. The diary section only came to life for me when he expressed his opinion rather than when he described the same identical actions and events. I highly recommend the opening chapters. Some of the most beautiful prose I've ever come across. After that... not so much.

[@drts6955]

Have to try rereading this. I love nature writing, lush descriptive prose and bird watching, so I thought I'd love but I found this book glacial.

[@orsino88]

Great book; glad you found it.

[@Booksonthemat]

Wowwww!!!! I need to read this!!!!! I need this experience in my life.

[@IndieAuthorX]

Read this book about a year ago, a gem that I never seem to hear about.

[@IndieAuthorX]

I read it as part Werner Herzog's Masterclass, lol. Forgot about that, actually. I still need to finish it xD

[@ferguscullen8451]

Good to see people mentioning T. H. White's "The Goshawk" -- sounds in the same vein.

[@jaszaborowski8434]

"h is for hawk" - check this one. best regards from Poland

[@14xx07]

Thank you for the recommendation. I’ll look for it in the library 😍

[@finbarrcorcoran9342]

It has a literal vividness that's almost spiritual.

[@hiphophead397]

Also. You could also link the thrift books link. They reclaim old and discarded books. Plus it's not amazon ;P

[@floodworshiper]

Nice. I've been reading this one slowly the last couple of weeks. I't a short book but it takes time to read it. I usually read journal entry when I wake up or before sleep. It really sets a good tone. But reading this quickly as a novel could be a waste. You have to relish this one.

[@fernandomercado2711]

Hey Cliff, I was looking at a list of books you could theoretically read in a day (the list is in Portuguese so we know they have to be good lol). Never thought I'd be interested in that angle, but it got me thinking: Are there any books that are Better than Food certified that could be read in a day?

[@MystiqueDispenser]

Given how critically he has reviewed some books that are otherwise highly acclaimed, it makes me glad such a book exists. Now let's see who has this in stock.

[@Bookspine5]

Two good books to recommend : A Walk In The Woods -- Bill Bryson and Into The Jungle -- Sean B. Carroll. I enjoyed the titles :D

[@hhdhpublic]

Right. Now I need this book.

[@mathewtoll6780]

Next book to read post The Housekeeper and the Professor

[@danielmcdonagh2889]

Best book i've ever read (along with Lord of the Rings of course). It's akin to shamanic ritual. The language is transcendent. Good review 👍

[@JuanPerez-lm1ur]

Awesome dude

[@bakhtyarmajeed943]

The two dislikes are baker and the peregrine.

[@kanevandenhoek8091]

Another great review Clifford. Would like to send you a book to review, just not on your patreon.

[@FHK1817]

Where can i download this book for free

[@TiagoMartins-yy6fx]

Do you guys think that there would be a certain age where this book would have the most impact in you?

[@niancilyu3324]

like the opposite of the pigeon lol?

[@patrickrichardson2529]

East of eden !

[@inigozarate6561]

Isn't this Herzog's favourite book?

[@oopsgirl44]

He mentions it everywhere haha so probably

[@inigozarate6561]

@@oopsgirl44 I honestly thought that nobody had ever read that other than Herzog.

[@murrayr7703]

Hey I thought The story of the Eye is your favorite book? Or is it Star? Lol. Cliff you lost me on this one. Descriptions are beautiful but REPETITIVE to the nth degree. Obsession? Yes. However a very rare miss on taking your suggestions. But this one left me cold. Just one more bird "scolding" and I would of screamed, or stooping, or the ever repetitive description of the hawk's colors. But I will say you're batting about .900 for me so we'll just agree to disagree on this one...Now "A Heart So White, Houlebeuq, and many others are all Home runs? Really enjoy you vids.

[@jkdarrow]

The Peregrine!!!

[@josetomasfernandez2259]

I laughed the whole Review

[@viirens]

this sounds very Deleuzian

[@viirens]

ok nvm, wrote that before you mentioned BWO hah

[@milfredcummings717]

13:26

[@xosrovhuseynli2890]

Read Alan Watts’ „wisdom of insecurity „

[@lizak3227]

guess I'm reading a bird book now

[@nealr3dhandfamily346]

Lol…. Nice

[@pedrodavanso8126]

Man you look like Arthur from peaky blinders

[@RB939393]

EXPLAIN DELEUZE TO ME WHAT THE FUCK IS A BODY WITHOUT ORGANS WHAT THE FUCK IS A RHIZOME, ARE THEY LIKE DIALECTICS?

[@turtips]

I struggled with this one. Extremely boring.

[@haroldbridges515]

The book was great. The review, cringe worthy.

[@scottyholdridge]

Wearing that jacket inside or in general…

[@jobuckley2999]

Your constant use of f this and f-ing that is boring. Are you 12?

[@Graenelolz]

Throughout my life I have found myself realizing again and again that this Werner Herzog guy really knows his shit

[@Vinavil1996]

Watch his films, he's one of the greatest directors alive

[@Tracydot3]

He is an incredible filmmaker. I can listen to him talk for hours.

[@ЛеоМолинаЛопез]

He recommended it on Masterclass

[@arghyashubhshiv3239]

Watched his documentary short, "La Soufriere" yesterday. Fucking lost my shit it was that great.

[@TiagoMartins-yy6fx]

It's impossible not want to get this book after such words.

[@hunnyawatramani3751]

Got it!!! Yess!

[@james2529]

You're right. It's currently sitting on my shelf waiting to be read.

[@bookishpothos7649]

"This is one of the greatest books I've ever read" You've already sold me right there.

[@zacharycaradine1295]

Your enthusiasm for this book is truly contagious. I'll be seeking it out. Thank you.

[@donaldkelly3983]

I read The Peregrine last April and I also was overwhelmed! It is one of the best reading experiences I have had. Cumulatively, Baker's vision is "dark", almost gnostic. As if Judge Holden from Blood Meridian had transformed into a hawk. But the peregrine would never declare that it will never die. A good comparison to Baker's book is Under the Sea-Wind by Rachel Carson. She covers similar situations, but her approach is so different from Baker's.

[@jesusgonzalez-acton4945]

We all love giving you suggestions, but heres some I definitely haven't seen from other commenters yet: -The Tunnel by William Gass. Probably the bleakest, most bitter book you'll ever read, maybe darker than Celine (if that gets your attention), this is more literal. -Anything by Richard Yates, I'm sure he'd be up your alley, a contemporary of John Williams of Stoner fame (which I know you loved) and who, sadly, never sold well despite always garnering glowing reviews and being acknowledged as a brilliant, moving writer. His works largely inspired Mad Men. I'd start with Eleven kinds of Loneliness, Revolutionary Road or Young Hearts Crying. -The Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzatti. -The Pugilist at Rest, haven't seen any reviews for this one, Thom Jones seems mostly forgotten. -Anything by, or really, about, Ezra Pound, famously indecipherable, one of the most interesting lives of the 20th century. -News from the Empire, Del Paso. I'm sure your list is long enough as it is, so if I had only one to suggest- The Tunnel, definitely.

[@KDbooks]

Ascent into madness needs to be used more frequently

[@align9218]

I just finished reading the book, and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't gotten the same amount of ecstasy and thrill that you seemed to have over this book, BTF. It felt like a very repetitive and dull read, especially when I got half way into the book, since at that point I was just pushing myself to finish it. That isn't to say the book wasn't beautifully written, it's hands-down one of the best books I've ever read in terms of the author's use of visual imagery to illustrate the world he pulls the reader into. But like you said in the video, it became increasingly difficult to write something different about the English countryside over and over again, and with that I just developed an overall loss of interest towards the book; at one point, I absolutely dreaded the book. I'd give it 4/10; it just wasn't my style, and I feel extremely dissapointed that I could not share the same level of exhilaration you'd experienced when reading this book, BTF. I will say this, I actually watched the first minute of this video when you talked about how "this is the greatest book I ever read", so I came in with a mindset that this book would change my life. I guess that's where my disappointment largely stems from during and after reading The Peregrine. I didn't watch the rest of the video in fear of being spoiled, but now I kind of regret doing that; nonetheless, I would've still read the book because of your extremely positive review of it. Anyways, great review and I love all your videos

[@michaelshouse9430]

Exactly how I feel about halfway through the book.

[@jameswburke]

"Autumn is thrown down. Winter stands" His prose is full of fabulous imagery. My most precious book, after a lifetime of reading Henry Williamson I was stunned to discover JA Baker.

[@cxlosdc333]

You moved again? How tf do you move that bookshelf so much.

[@mjakotka]

I read this book earlier this year after watching interview with Herzog mentioned in the video. I agree that it is best for slow reading because after couple of pages you feel yourself overwhelmed, the text is so dense. After I finished The Peregrine, I decided not to read The Hill of Summer (another book by Baker) because I think I spent all my energy on The Peregrine. Maybe next year. Instead I bought My House of Sky by Hetty Saunders about Baker’s life.

[@williamneal9076]

Thanks for the other books and references. The community takes care of its own. You are a blessing.

[@SiddharthaMinhas]

I love your reviews!! Do you think you could review any of Osamu Dazai’s work? Preferably No Longer Human... that would be amazing!! He’s been referred to as a forerunner to Yukio Mishima - an author I know you think highly of. In my opinion I think he’s just a tad underrated as well. Nonetheless, keep killing it~ ❤️

[@stanleyq]

Love the channel. Have you read The Rings of Saturn by W.G. Sebald? It might be up your alley. It's been compared to The Peregrine.

[@mwellmwell]

Please read and review The Importance of Living by Lin Yutang. It is one of my bibles.

[@avideepgabhawala2657]

the animal, the human...the animal while has no possessions has its body suited to the creative endeavor it embarks on, the human on the other hand partakes in life often through possessions, through things.. at times one wishes one were free of all possessions, free to embark on creative endeavors without them, maybe even fly without them? can we give up all tools, all possessions and wait for the human species to finally evolve wings?