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NEVER COUNT THE APPLES. (SIGNED).
Hardcover
First published January 30, 1976
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About the author
Joyce Stranger
114 books29 followersPsuedonym of Joyce Muriel Wilson (1921–2007). Lived in Anglesey, Wales.
Trained as a biologist, specialising in animal behaviour, and tried her hand at dog training too. Not surprisingly, animal themes, especially relationships between human and animal feature in all of her books. She thought that the human-animal/human-nature relationship was extremely important and that a co-existence between the two could improve quality of life. She said "for many people an animal can provide a harmony lacking in day-to-day relationships with people."
Her books are not very anthropomorphic, deliberately so. She thought that many animal books, especially childrens were inaccurate or sentimental or humanised the animal and wanted her stories instead to "show how animals live in a world that is real to them"
They are definitely not sentimental either, many are quite downbeat. Disasters often strike her fictional worlds and her characters are often unhappy, guilt-stricken or remorseful. However they usually end on a more upbeat and optimistic note.
Ms. Stranger was one of the few authors to write horse stories aimed at adults. Most of her pony books are either adult or teenage stories.
Trained as a biologist, specialising in animal behaviour, and tried her hand at dog training too. Not surprisingly, animal themes, especially relationships between human and animal feature in all of her books. She thought that the human-animal/human-nature relationship was extremely important and that a co-existence between the two could improve quality of life. She said "for many people an animal can provide a harmony lacking in day-to-day relationships with people."
Her books are not very anthropomorphic, deliberately so. She thought that many animal books, especially childrens were inaccurate or sentimental or humanised the animal and wanted her stories instead to "show how animals live in a world that is real to them"
They are definitely not sentimental either, many are quite downbeat. Disasters often strike her fictional worlds and her characters are often unhappy, guilt-stricken or remorseful. However they usually end on a more upbeat and optimistic note.
Ms. Stranger was one of the few authors to write horse stories aimed at adults. Most of her pony books are either adult or teenage stories.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 8, 2025
An excellent Joyce Stranger. About making good come out of a bad situation. With very likeable characters.
August 31, 2017
Read this over 30 years ago. Seem to remember it made me cry. Let's see if it lives up to memory. 😊
And yes it made me cry. Perhaps not the best written book but as a vet I'm glad I've never had to deal with lead poisoning.
And yes it made me cry. Perhaps not the best written book but as a vet I'm glad I've never had to deal with lead poisoning.
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March 18, 2022Another good book, lovely!
February 17, 2013
Another of my all time favourites. Read it when a young teenager and moving house to a new area with no friends, so could identify with the book. It's about a couple who have to move from their manor house/farm to make way for a new motorway because of a compulsory purchase order. Joyce manages to coax the reader and the characters from the depths of depression to a life filled with hope and happiness through animals and friendship.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews