SCOOBY new book by J Darcy : A review

[Guest SJM]

I had a nice surprise this morning, a copy of J Darcy's new book arrived in the post - thankyou very much JD :kiss:

 

I can honestly say that he has really excelled himself this time. The book is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. In usual Darcy style there are tons of superb colour photos, inlcuding some cracking action ones and for all you page sniffers out there (I cant be the only one ) this book has that fantastic smell to it, must be the ink or something

 

Darcys' honest, humble and plain speaking writing style instantly makes you feel at home. He sets the scene talking us through his early days with Scooby as a young pup, the ups and downs of training him, then the excitement of entering him to quarry for the first time. The reader is then taken on a rollercoaster journey of day and night after day and night of all out hard core hunting exploits Theres something so personalised about this book, I far prefer it to running dog addiction and the other collative works, allthough these are excellent reads too in their own right, this book just has a much deeper feel to it. I really felt the intensity of the bond between man and dog, the hours he put in getting him trained, ready, fit, travelling the country to run him on every possible quarry species, the heartfelt sorrows of the injuries Scooby sustains throughout his career, and beleive me this dog should be re-named the bionic dog

 

This book has something for everyone. From the humble rabbit, netting, lamping and ferreting, through foxes, deer, hares and even wild mountain goats This portion in particular interested me as I could totally relate to the vivid descriptions of the steep and bleak terrain and the trials and tribulations as the hunters tried to get runs for their dogs.

 

Throughout the book there are many funny little stories which all of us hunters will be able to relate to and laugh along with the one in particular which made me laugh was the story of the poor fella who found himself tearing off pages of a road atlas to do the honours after eating a dodgy takeaway meal the poachers mentality meant they kept the pages of places they would be likely to run with the dogs and poor old Wales bore the brunt of it

 

The reader is forewarned of the books sad ending but still when you turn those final pages you are somehow willing Scooby to pull through one final time along with his anxious owner, and I am not ashamed to say this fitting tribute to one man and his faithful hound moved a tear from me

 

I would totally reccommend this book to anyone, I read the whole thing in one sitting which is very rare for me, I just enjoyed the relaxed and open style of writing, it felt as if I was there as one of the hunting "gang" every step of the way.

 

Well done Mr D on a top class lurcherbook which people will talk about for many years to come

[sorel-2007 0]

Recieved mine this morning to. Was out all day stalking so have only flicked through it as yet. Great pictures as usual. Just got to learn how to read now.

[rabitin girl 16]

I havent started mine yet , OH got to it first

[dangergirl 13]

Got mine too

[mad al 146]

Wales usually does get the short straw SJM , makes it all the more special when it comes to the return match

[lucky 578]

i got to page 35 last night, but i can allready tell it's going to be another great book....

[Guest lurcherboy2008]

got mine. only looked at the pics start reading when im not busy with the dogs

[lanesra 3,994]

Every book ive read from J.D. has been exellent, by sjm comments this will be up there with the other books he has wrote.

[jart 0]

another excellent book from jd, top man! and what a dog!!!!!! if my dog does half of what "scooby" achieved i,ll be a happy man!

[threbb 0]

You read that quick mate!

[Guest jordy p]

Aint got mine but hopeing to get it

 

jp

[jart 0]

You read that quick mate!

only got half way in mate and had to put it down or id never get owt done, i,ve read about scooby in previous books and talked to people who know of its breeding and of its exploits it was some dog!!!

[Tuzo 251]

http://www.darcybooks.com/

[Guest ASD]

Really looking forward to reading this book ..should be good craic especially if Sarah's review is anything to go by .Cheers Andy.

[NIGHT TIME NETTER 237]

I got my copy of the book today and im nearly at the end.....an end i wish i never had to get to for 2 reasons realy.

The first reason is because its such a good read of a book and the second is because i already know how it ends . When i started reading this book i got the hairs on the back of the neck sensation that comes when you just know your gonna enjoy something, coming up to the end ive now got that lump in the throat, ill probably pass a tear if the truths known.

I was fortunate to see this dog in the flesh, doing exactly what is described in the book,as darcy would say himself "filling the freezer".

Its probably the first time ive read a book where i can realy relate to what and who its written about. As i read it its almost as if its darcy's voice thats narrating the words to me.,and I can see an image of scooby in my mind without having to look at any of the fantastic pictures that the book has inside.

Ill not go on and on about whats in the book,... just say that its an absolutley fantastic tribute to an amazing canine. A canine that though short lived, packed a whole lot of work into its life. A true lurcher in his own right!

The book does contain accounts of other dogs and the characters that own them....but it is realy about Scoobys diaries.

If its one book, and one book only you have to purchase this season,... surely this dedication to a great dog should be it.

 

 

Darcys best yet!

 

As ive said,....not finished it yet, and ive put it off long enough! .....RIP Scooby.

 

all the best........ LAMPER......