The White Deer

Author: John Tempest Illustrator: William Stobbs

From the inside front flap: This is the story of a small boy and the white deer that he finds and keeps throughout the whole of a long summer holiday. His family thought that David Gentle was 'different' - his father, a hard-work New Zealand farmer, hated to see him mooching around the whole holidays with only his tame parakeet for company; Garton, his elder brother, thought he was 'wet'; and even his mother wished that he wasn't quite so difficult. It was a summer morning when David first saw the white hind and found that she was tame. Of course, he knew straight away that his father wouldn't let him keep her. Garton hadn't even been allowed to keep a dog because it wasn't a worker like the other dogs on the station. But this time David was determined to have his own way. The hind needed someone to look after her. This prize-winning book will appeal to both children and their parents. It catches perfectly the life on a bustling sheep station as well as the different characters of the family and station hands; while the conflict between David and his family, and his desperate efforts to keep his secret, provide an exciting and moving plot."

National Library of NZ Entry

"The White Deer" is a touching and beautifully written novel by John Tempest, first published in 1961. Set against the backdrop of rural New Zealand, the book offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a farming family, and is rich with themes of family dynamics, personal growth, and the deep bond between humans and animals. The book is illustrated by William Stobbs, which adds a visual charm to the overall experience.

At the heart of The White Deer is young David Gentle, a sensitive boy growing up in the 1960s. He lives with his hardworking father, John, his loving mother, Kathy, his older brother, Garden, and baby brother, Harvey. David’s life revolves around the farm, and like many children of the time, he is expected to follow in the tough, no-nonsense ways of his father. However, David is different from the typical farm boy. He has a tender heart, a love for animals, and a gentle spirit that sets him apart from the stoic masculinity of his father’s world.

The story begins during the school holidays, and David, an animal lover, forms a unique bond with a wild white deer living in the nearby bush. The deer, a rare and beautiful creature, captivates David’s heart, and he brings it back to the farm, hoping to convince his father to let him keep it. However, his father, a pragmatic man, refuses. He believes that every animal on the farm should serve a practical purpose, and thus, the deer must be released.

Devastated by the loss of the deer, David’s love for the creature doesn’t fade. He secretly takes the deer back to the farm, finding a hidden shed to care for it in secret. As he nurses the deer back to health, he discovers that it is pregnant, and the theme of pregnancy subtly weaves through the narrative as David becomes both caretaker and protector. He even goes so far as to steal food from the farm to sustain the deer. Over time, David’s devotion to the deer strengthens the bond between them, but his deception leads to inevitable consequences.

The relationship between David and his family forms the emotional core of the book. His father, John, is a traditional and strong figure who struggles to understand David's sensitivity. Over the course of the story, their father-son relationship grows, and John begins to recognize David’s worth and individuality. Meanwhile, Kathy, David’s mother, is the nurturing presence who deeply understands her son’s nature and provides him with the emotional support he needs. The tender interactions between David and his mother are some of the most heartwarming moments in the book.

At its core, The White Deer is about David’s journey of self-discovery, his search for his place in the world, and the challenges he faces as he navigates the complexities of family life. The book also touches on themes of responsibility, deception, and the natural world, all while maintaining an undercurrent of warmth and goodness.

This is a story that transcends age. Though written for younger readers, I found it incredibly moving as an adult, filled with layers of depth and emotional resonance. I would highly recommend this book for children over the age of 10, and it would also make a fantastic family read-aloud. It’s a story full of goodness, and it’s easy to get lost in the world of David Gentle and his family.

Unfortunately, the book is quite rare. I struggled to find a copy and had to have one shipped from the United States. However, if you can get your hands on it, I promise you won’t regret it. There is also a sequel, Snow in the Summer, written by a different author but following the same characters and family. I look forward to reading that and sharing my thoughts with you.

The White Deer is a hidden gem, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a heartfelt, beautifully crafted story. The full details of the book can be found on my blog, so be sure to check that out. Thanks for reading!

Example of inside pages

Copies are available online. Book Express is an excellent New Zealand online secondhand retailer. Otherwise, check the link below.

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