The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival

by John Vaillant
The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival cover
Good Books rating 4.38
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  • ID: 111
  • Added: 2025-09-02
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • Formats: 34
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
quillandquire.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
excellent 4.50

The reviewer was captivated by John Vaillant's 'The Tiger', praising its vivid portrayal of history, characters, and wildlife in Primorye. They were surprised to learn it was non-fiction and felt a sense of loss upon finishing, indicating a deep emotional impact.

The reviewer was thoroughly engrossed in 'The Tiger' by John Vaillant, highlighting the author's exceptional ability to paint a vivid picture of the history, characters, and wildlife of Primorye. What stood out most was the realization that the events described were real, adding a layer of authenticity and gravity to the narrative. The reviewer expressed a sense of loss upon finishing the book, a feeling they attributed to not reading frequently. This emotional response suggests a deep connection with the material. Additionally, the reviewer mentioned a documentary based on the book's incident, indicating their intention to explore further.

Quick quotes

    Vaillant does an excellent job of painting a picture and understanding of the history, characters, and animals of Primorye.

    What surprised me the most is that it is non-fiction, so the events described actually took place.

    After finishing it I felt a sense of loss, that I couldn't go back and revisit it.

reddit.com · Unknown · 2025-09-18
enthralling 4.50

The reviewer praises John Vaillant's 'The Tiger' for its impressive research, cinematic prose, and chilling mysticism, comparing his writing to that of a literary shaman. They find the narrative spellbinding but note that excessive background information and a preachy epilogue detract from the overall flow.

The reviewer highlights John Vaillant's ability to blend fact, conjecture, and superstition, creating a captivating narrative that reads like a chilling detective novel with supernatural elements. Set in Siberia, the story follows the hunt for a vengeful tiger, which is both thrilling and well-researched. However, the reviewer feels that the extensive background information on Siberia and its wildlife, while interesting, disrupts the flow of the story. Additionally, the epilogue is seen as redundant, as the message about safeguarding Siberian tigers is already clear. Despite these flaws, the book is described as a feast of impressive research and chilling mysticism that will appeal to both hunters and nature enthusiasts.

Quick quotes

    The mixture of fact, conjecture, and superstition he concocted for 2005’s _The Golden Spruce_ was pure magic and earned him the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction.

    The story of the hunt for the murderous tiger is frequently interrupted by page after page of background on Siberia, its declining animal population, and the unwritten laws of the forest.

    Despite its flaws, _The Tiger_ is a feast of impressive research, cinematic prose, and chilling mysticism that will enthrall both hunters and tree-huggers.

abctales.com · Unknown · 2024-01-08
engaging 4.00

The Tiger by John Vaillant is a gripping account of a man-eating tiger in Russia's Far East, blending natural history, travelogue, and crime investigation. The reviewer admires Vaillant's ability to turn a conservation issue into a human interest story, highlighting the battle between good and bad men over the endangered Siberian tiger. They found the narrative engaging, though it occasionally bogs down in facts and figures.

John Vaillant's The Tiger is a compelling read that combines elements of natural history, travelogue, and crime investigation. The book focuses on the hunt for a man-eating tiger in Russia's Far East, using the death of a poacher, Vladimir Markov, as a starting point. The reviewer appreciates how Vaillant transforms a conservation issue into a human interest story, depicting the conflict between those who protect the tiger and those who poach it. The narrative is engaging and reads like a thriller, with detailed accounts of the tiger's biology and behavior. However, the reviewer notes that the book occasionally gets bogged down in facts and figures, which can slow the pace. Despite this, it's a terrific and often frightening read, highlighting the dangerous game of conservation in a remote and lawless region. The reviewer also mentions that reading the Kindle edition can be distracting due to rogue hyphens in the text.

Quick quotes

    The tiger is, literally, tattooed: if you were to shave one bald, its stripes would still be visible, integral to its skin

    Vaillant turns a conservation issue into a human interest story in which good men and bad men do battle over a beautiful but enigmatic animal

    It’s a terrific — and often frightening — read.

sciencetrio.wordpress.com · Unknown · 2012-03-04
brilliant 4.50

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant is a gripping account of a confrontation between a Siberian tiger and a Russian man in the remote Primorye region. The reviewer, Simon Winchester, praises the book for its authenticity and vivid storytelling, highlighting the raw power and excitement of the true story. The book is described as a brilliant addition to the literature of the region, with a compelling narrative that demands to be adapted into a film.

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival by John Vaillant is a remarkable piece of reportage that takes readers to the far eastern region of Russia known as Primorye Territory. The book recounts the true story of a confrontation between a tough Russian man, Yuri Trush, and a vengeful Siberian tiger. The reviewer, Simon Winchester, who has personal experience in the region, commends Vaillant for his authentic and unembellished storytelling. The book is praised for its power and excitement, with a narrative that is both memorable and impeccably right. Winchester highlights the extraordinary tale of the tiger's vengeance and the intense struggle between human and animal. The book is described as a brilliant addition to the sparse literature of the region and is highly recommended for its vivid and thrilling account.

Quick quotes

    The book manages to be at once exciting, memorable - and perfectly, impeccably right.

    This is a film that demands to be made with 3-D charges of stripes and rifle fire and Dolby-magnified thunder roars.

    Read it and be afraid. Be very afraid.

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