The Yearling is an American classic written by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Many love this coming-of-age tale and have been deeply touched by it. It is also a winner of the Pultizer Prize and has been made into a movie. Today I'll be reviewing this beloved story.

Jody Baxter is the only son of a couple who reside in the Florida backwoods. One day he comes upon an orphaned fawn, whom he adopts and names Flag. In the following year both Flag and Jody grow into adulthood while learning how to survive life.

The writing is detailed and descriptive. Rawlings gives us a comprehensive look at what life in the Florida backwoods looked like, as well as the creatures and plant life there. It is a serious book with a pensive outlook on life. Each of the characters are unique.

The whole book is supposed to be about Jody's relationship with Flag, but the deer isn't introduced until halfway through the book, which was a bit surprising for me. Even after Jody adopts Flag, the fawn is not mentioned often.

All the characters criticize Jody's mother and claim she's a horrible woman, but there is no concrete reason for people to hate her. The only time she's cruel is at the end of the book. I personally found this annoying and thought it detracted from the story.

SPOILER: Jody's mother shoots Flag because he was getting into the crops and Jody has to put him down.

This book is best for teenagers and adults. Animal lovers may have difficulty reading it.

For those of you who have read The Yearling, what did you think of it? Tell me in the comments below!