Review: “A Thames Bestiary” by Peter Hay and Geoff Saunders,

When club member John Froy recently offered me a copy of “A Thames
Bestiary” for review, I was intrigued, but busy, and set it to one
side for a week or two. As it sat one my desk I found its simplicity
intriguing and began to dip into a little treasure house of
observation, wit and whimsy that gradually took hold of me.

I think that we are all, first and foremost, attracted to the
glimpses, flashes and mystery of nature: the rationality and science
come later. This is a collection that reflects the light of the
simple pleasures in the natural world; re-connects us with the magic
of childhood; celebrates the beauty that so many miss or ignore in
the urbanised world of techno-babble and consumer-speak. Yet it is
mischievous and witty too.

Not that you must expect too much colour in the presentation: this is
a modest little volume with an Arts and Crafts feel about it. But the
colour is there in the words: the kingfisher is “an instant of
combustion”; pigeons’ wings “sheet white against a thundercloud”. Not
that it is all post-Romantic stuff, since “urban starlings form a
pseudo-ferrous matrix”. There are endless surprises in store.
Anecdotes, tall stories and legend mix happily with the word-play and
lyricism. Where does legend stop and the lie begin? Where is the
truth that under-pins the poetry of folklore? There is no boundary-
line here and we can be gullible. History is evoked, legend cited,
and your leg is pulled. Beware! It’s serious stuff, but it’s witty
and fun too, even weird at times! Just take a few moments to absorb
“Adder”! One line from “Hare” sums it all up for me, since, we are
told: “the hare keeps the earth flat by virtue of his own velocity”.
That line really tugs at memories of my East Anglian childhood. I
have no fears that the local theme will limit the universality of the
appeal of this delightful collection. Try it for yourself.

Ray Reedman
Berkshire Ornithological Club

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