Mr. Allbones’ Ferrets

by: Fiona Farrell

Published by: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press

Reviewed by Maria Elmvang

Walter Allbones is a poacher. Assisted by his trained ferrets, he knows all the tricks of catching rabbits–rabbits that can be sold and also provide a welcome addition to an otherwise meagre diet. One evening a chance encounter with Mr. Pitford and his granddaughter will forever change the live of Walter Allbones as Mr. Pitford gives Allbones the challenge of capturing and selling him 350 ferrets for immediate transportation to the new colonies of New Zealand.

Upon receipt of the ferrets, Mr. Pitford quickly discovers that his men cannot properly care for the ferrets, and therefore for them to have any chance of survival whatsoever, he needs the further help of Allbones to accompany them to New Zealand and take responsibility for their welfare during the trip. Having fallen in love with Mr. Pitford’s daughter, Walter Allbones quickly accepts, and together they embark on a voyage unlike any other he has ever experienced. But nothing is ever as it seems, and even within the confines of a ship, there is still room for surprises.

If I didn’t know any better, I would immediately have assumed that Mr. Allbones’ Ferrets was written close to a hundred years ago. Both the writing style and plot remind me of the emigration tales from the beginning of the last century. It’s not a genre often attempted these days, and proved a refreshing change–even more so as the emigration was for New Zealand rather than the States. It’s a particular writing style that won’t be for everybody, but once I became accustomed to it, I loved it.

Fiona Farrell would have done well to spend more time on the characterisations though. With the exception of Walter Allbones, none of the characters were fleshed out properly, and stereotypes were abundant: the love interest was beautiful, the bully was intellectually challenged and the old grandfather was cunning as well as conniving. It’s not something that limited my enjoyment of the book, but it did stop it from being the piece of art it otherwise could have been.

Even so it’s a fascinating tale about adapting to ones surroundings and the consequences of introducing foreign fauna to a secluded environment.

Armchair Interviews says: Unique in many ways for a good read.