Biography of a Grizzly
David “Grizzly” Smith really likes the works of Ernest Thompson Seton. So much, in fact, that he’s working hard to give us just about everything the man ever wrote in serialized audiobook form.
Today, Griz makes available his namesake: Biography of a Grizzly:
“The life of a wild animal always has a tragic end,” as Ernest Thompson Seton said. This is the story of Metitsi Wahb, born a playful cub, orphaned young by the murder of his mother, his brothers and sister, raising himself surrounded by enemies, and growing to the fiercest creature anywhere in his vast range — though showing himself a gentleman in the Yellowstone National Park.
And finally, he is laid low by a smaller, more cunning enemy, and defeated in the end by age and injury. “The life of a wild animal always has a tragic end.”
I’ll warn you this is a gentle and yet violent story, a natural violence, but not one you’d wish to face yourself, and not recommended for young children. This was the first full book I ever recorded for my “Stories from the Hiber-Nation” podcast, a natural choice, and in some ways my favorite. I hope I’ve done this fairly short story justice, and that you, too, will feel the passion for nature in Seton’s writing.
Read by David “Grizzly” Smith
This book is complete with only six episodes, so you can plow through them on the default feed if you choose. Or if you need it to fit in better with your listening schedule, get episodes delivered to you one at a time with a custom feed.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Glad to see this one recorded. I remember reading this back in elementary school and being so touched by the story. I’m sure I cried at the ending.
January 10th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Another great reading of a good read…. thank you for making my weekly commute a little bit better.
August 21st, 2010 at 1:53 pm
An absolutely wonderful reading of a wonderful story. The ending made me want to cry, but then I thought of the wonderful life. Just great!