Helen Macdonald's Audacious Journey Through Grief: A Soaring Review of 'H Is for Hawk' Audiobook
As I listened to Helen Macdonald's narrative on the audiobook adaptation of their own bestselling memoir, H Is for Hawk, I found myself transported to a world of introspection, curiosity, and profound emotional depth. The book tells the story of Macdonald's transformative encounter with an Eurasian goshawk named Mabel, whom they took in after experiencing a period of intense grief following the sudden death of their father.
Macdonald's reading is marked by an unmistakable air of character, oscillating between introspective musings and flashes of dry humor as they recount their experiences with this "spooky, pale-eyed psychopath" of a bird. The reader is drawn into a world where feeding, flying, and playtime with crumpled paper scraps become the soundtrack to Macdonald's emotional odyssey.
Throughout the audiobook, Macdonald weaves together biographical excerpts on writer TH White, whose 1930s account of training a goshawk using antiquated methods serves as a poignant counterpoint to their own more compassionate approach. The contrast is striking, and it's clear that Macdonald's prose not only surpasses White's but also provides a more empathetic and affecting exploration of the human-animal bond.
One of the most compelling aspects of H Is for Hawk is its ability to capture the depths of grief and the process of healing that follows. Macdonald's narrative is both deeply personal and universally relatable, making this audiobook an essential listen for anyone who has ever experienced loss or struggled with mental health.
Penguin Audio's production ensures a smooth and immersive listening experience, with Macdonald's authoritative narration bringing their words to life. The 11-hour 5-minute runtime may be substantial, but the journey is well worth taking, as you embark on this soaring exploration of grief, nature, and the human spirit.
In short, H Is for Hawk audiobook review: an unforgettable journey through the depths of grief, marked by Macdonald's remarkable prose, introspection, and a profound appreciation for the transformative power of animals in our lives.
As I listened to Helen Macdonald's narrative on the audiobook adaptation of their own bestselling memoir, H Is for Hawk, I found myself transported to a world of introspection, curiosity, and profound emotional depth. The book tells the story of Macdonald's transformative encounter with an Eurasian goshawk named Mabel, whom they took in after experiencing a period of intense grief following the sudden death of their father.
Macdonald's reading is marked by an unmistakable air of character, oscillating between introspective musings and flashes of dry humor as they recount their experiences with this "spooky, pale-eyed psychopath" of a bird. The reader is drawn into a world where feeding, flying, and playtime with crumpled paper scraps become the soundtrack to Macdonald's emotional odyssey.
Throughout the audiobook, Macdonald weaves together biographical excerpts on writer TH White, whose 1930s account of training a goshawk using antiquated methods serves as a poignant counterpoint to their own more compassionate approach. The contrast is striking, and it's clear that Macdonald's prose not only surpasses White's but also provides a more empathetic and affecting exploration of the human-animal bond.
One of the most compelling aspects of H Is for Hawk is its ability to capture the depths of grief and the process of healing that follows. Macdonald's narrative is both deeply personal and universally relatable, making this audiobook an essential listen for anyone who has ever experienced loss or struggled with mental health.
Penguin Audio's production ensures a smooth and immersive listening experience, with Macdonald's authoritative narration bringing their words to life. The 11-hour 5-minute runtime may be substantial, but the journey is well worth taking, as you embark on this soaring exploration of grief, nature, and the human spirit.
In short, H Is for Hawk audiobook review: an unforgettable journey through the depths of grief, marked by Macdonald's remarkable prose, introspection, and a profound appreciation for the transformative power of animals in our lives.
! Helen Macdonald's storytelling is like nothing I've ever heard before - it's so raw and emotional, but also super uplifting at the same time. I mean, who wouldn't want to listen to a story about grief, healing, and bonding with a hawk? 
It's not every day you get to be transported to a world of introspection and self-discovery through an audiobook. The way Macdonald weaves together their personal experiences with the biographical accounts of TH White is pure genius. I'm definitely adding this one to my top listens list for 2025! 
i mean i know her dad passed away like 10 yrs ago but she's still grieving over here 
penguin audio did an amazing job too, her voice is so soothing 
and its 11 hrs long but trust me u wont wanna stop listening 
. But honestly, what's the point of listening to some person's sob story about their dad dying and then becoming obsessed with a bird? It's not like it's gonna change your life or anything. I mean, sure, Macdonald's writing is pretty good, but it's still just a bunch of navel-gazing nonsense 
. I guess if you're into that sorta thing, then go ahead and waste your time listening to 'H Is for Hawk'. But for me, it's just more stuff to read between the lines 
I gotta say, this audiobook review is spot on...most of it 
. The author does make some really valid points about Helen Macdonald's writing style being more empathetic than TH White's (which is interesting, considering White was a literary legend 
). But, I think the reviewer makes a huge assumption when they say the book "surpasses" White's work - it's definitely not that simple. I mean, White was writing in the 1930s for crying out loud! The author's prose may be more relatable to modern readers, but that doesn't necessarily make it better than White's. And what about the production quality of the audiobook? The reviewer says it's smooth and immersive, but have you actually listened to it yourself? 
I loved how she wove in this story about TH White and the goshawk training, it was so cool to learn about that history too 
but what really stuck with me was the part where she talks about finding healing and peace through nature... I'm trying to implement some of those same techniques into my own life rn 
. The audiobook is an immersive experience that will leave you breathless 
. If you haven't listened to it yet, what are you waiting for? 
️. The way they talk about grief, nature, and their time with Mabel the goshawk is SO relatable. 75% of people who listen to this audiobook will likely find themselves nodding along in solidarity 
.
It's estimated that 1 in 5 people experience complex grief, which is just devastating. 
what really got me though was how relatable it all felt - i mean who hasn't experienced a period of intense grief or struggled with mental health? it's like macdonald took all those dark feelings and turned them into this stunning, soaring masterpiece 
can't wait to dive back in and re-listen (again)
. The production quality is top-notch too, it really makes you feel like you're right there with Helen on her journey 
this book is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions it's so raw and honest about the author's experience with grief and loss 
the production quality is top-notch too 
. The way they write about their grief and healing process is just masterful - it's like you're right there with them on that journey 
. But what really gets me is how Macdonald explores the human-animal bond – it's like, so beautifully nuanced. The audiobook production is top-notch too, it feels like you're right there with her in the woods 
And now everyone's gonna be listening to this book for 11 hours straight, thinking they can relate or whatever. Newsflash: we're all just winging it (lol, bird pun) through life and figuring out how to not totally lose our minds when someone important dies. So yeah, I guess if you like that sorta thing, go for it...