The Willows and Beyond

I purchased this book for my elderly mother whose favorite book is Wind in the Willows. She is equally charmed by William Horwood's books as they continue the adventures of Mr Toad and his stalwart woodland friends. Horwood writes in a style that seamlessly complements Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows. Patrick Benson's illustrations are lovely and they add details and charm to the story as it moves along. All in all, we were both very happy with The Willows and Beyond as well as the other Horwood/Benson "Willows" books. If you love Wind in the Willows, you will certainly be a fan of William Horwood's "Willows" books.

I've read the whole Willows series written by Mr. Horwood and I have to say each one was exceptional. This book in particular is the last book of his series, the final chapters in the lives of these wonderful creatures. Mr. Horwood has written his books in a manner that enthralls children and adults alike, and although not nearly as popular, I'd rate this series up there on the level of the Harry Potter books.

Powerful conclusion to the loosely nicknamed Tales of the Willows series that began with Kenneth Grahame's original classic The Wind in the Willows and was followed up by the just as fantastic sequels by William Horwood (The Willows at Christmas, The Willows in Winter, Toad Triumphant and this book). Readers should definitely pick up Horwood's earlier volumes as this is very much the conclusion to the series and is in every way a chronological follow-up to those works. Details will not be given away here (as in the poor taste shown by other reviewers) but to say that this is definitely a denouement, a conclusion and finale... though one filled with plenty of hope and future promise. In many ways, The Willows and Beyond is similar to the final chapters of The Lord of the Rings, and is equally mournful and sad, at times achingly so. Yet contrary to other, more fragile reviewers, however, it is not without merit and expertly handled. It is in fact the perfect conclusion. Everything in this book is grounded firmly in what Kenneth Grahame himself established in his original. The River Bank is NOT Oz. Its residents are not the tired, immortal creatures of Disney or Marvel or DC, and that is a good thing! Concluding the series (especially with such dignity as Horwood gives it here) lends a strength and vitality to the story and characters that prevents it from being cheapened by endless marketing and cash-ins. Grahame's original is nostalgic and sentimental, but not devoid of realism; within the natural world the oftentimes cruel scepter of grief strikes a blow. And as lovable as his characters are and as often as they're spared that blow, even they cannot escape the the tragic Inevitable. The Willows and Beyond, however, contains much joy and hope, and borrows from Grahame in allowing the River Bank inhabitants to glimpse on the spiritual realm, embodied here in the Beyond, and THAT is the essence of what this story is about. This is a classic in every sense of the word and one I believe Grahame would have loved. For further adventures of Ratty, Mole, Toad and Badger, read Horwood's prior volumes and watch the wonderfully produced Wind in the Willows series (now on DVD) which details the characters' early years following The Wind in the Willows. But when you're ready, don't miss the finale, this masterpiece which belongs on the shelf of every Willows fan.

William Horwood truly transports one to the real life of his created animals. I cried a lot and that means it was very, very good.

As I write this review, the "average customer rating" on this fine title is a mere two stars. Please let me beg to differ with them all. I haven't read "Willows in Winter," but I loved "Wind in the Willows" and felt Horwood's "Toad Triumphant" was in some ways even better. "Willows and Beyond" brings the cycle to a conclusion -- and it's wonderful. At times it made me roar with laughter; at others it's painfully sad; the chapter called "The Uninvited Guest" is simply lovely, and belongs in someone's anthology of writings about Christmas. Yeah, so the main characters die -- did ya think they'd live forever? Can't we name several other children's books where important characters pass on -- "Old Yeller," "Dominic," "A Day No Pigs Would Die," "Bambi," etc.? Furthermore, the deaths are handled so gently, even ambiguously, that I can't understand how anyone would have been seriously upset. And yes, there is a chapter on Rat's illness; but that's humorously tossed aside (a bit of underdone potato, as it were), and nicely counterbalanced by dashing adventures on the high seas -- not to mention Toad's famous charge up the hill into Lathbury Wood. And shall we risk a hint at how the book ends by pointing out that each major character, having passed on, is given a successor -- heir to his name, title and role (to such a degree that further adventures are entirely possible!).Don't be put off by a few readers' negative comments; Horwood's third Willows book is a fine piece of work, and leaves one thirsting for more.