Winner of the 2014 Baillie Gifford

H Is for Hawk

Name: H Is for Hawk
Author: Helen Macdonald
ISBN: 8380492978

by Helen Macdonald

Approximately 349 pages

This memoir intertwines personal loss with the art of falconry, offering a unique perspective on nature and healing.

Difficulty

Accessible

Pace

Measured

Mood

poignant, reflective

Book club

Medium

Find in a library

Is this book for you?

Read this if you enjoy

nature writing
you appreciate memoirs
you like explorations of grief

Consider another book if

you prefer fiction
you dislike personal narratives
you seek fast-paced stories

What it is about

"H Is for Hawk" is a memoir by Helen Macdonald that intertwines grief and nature. The author recounts the sudden death of her father and her struggle with loss. In her mourning, she decides to train a goshawk, a bird known for its fierce temperament.

The narrative explores the complexities of human emotions and the bond between trainer and bird. Macdonald reflects on her childhood fascination with falconry. She draws parallels between her experiences and the life of writer T.

H. White. The book delves into themes of solitude, identity, and the natural world.

Macdonald's prose is interspersed with observations of the hawk's behavior. The memoir examines the healing power of nature and the challenges of coping with grief. Ultimately, it is a meditation on life, death, and the connections we forge with the wild.