Book Review From Rick’s Library: Raising Hare, a Memoir

7⏱️ min read                        

What happens when an unexpected guest hops into your life—one with long ears, a twitching nose, and an undeniable presence?

Locked down in the English countryside during the pandemic, writer Chloe Dalton found herself in an unlikely companionship with a wild hare. 

Raising Hare is more than just a story about an abandoned animal; it’s a tender, beautifully written meditation on solitude, connection, and the delicate balance between human and nature.

This book explores how this unusual relationship unfolded, the lessons learned from raising a creature meant to roam free, and what the book, Raising Hare reveals about the bonds we form—even in the most unexpected circumstances.

Welcome to That's Life, I Swear. This podcast is about life's happenings in this world, that conjure up such words as intriguing, frightening, life-changing, inspiring, and more. I'm Rick Barron, your host. 

That said, here's the rest of this story 

Abstract of the book   

"Raising Hare: A Memoir" by Chloe Dalton is an appealing exploration of an unexpected bond between a woman and a wild hare, offering readers a profound reflection on our relationship with the natural world.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chloe, a political adviser, retreats to the English countryside and encounters a seemingly abandoned newborn leveret—a baby hare. She chooses to care for the fragile creature and embarks on a journey filled with challenges and revelations. 

Determined to preserve the hare's wild nature, Chloe refrains from naming it and allows it the freedom to come and go from her home. This delicate balance between care and autonomy forms the heart of their unique relationship.

Her keen observations and poetic descriptions enrich the book's narrative, bringing to life the hare's behaviors and the evolving dynamics of their bond. Chloe delves into themes of trust, freedom, and the essence of wildness, challenging readers to reconsider conventional notions of domestication and control.

The book also serves as a poignant commentary on the broader environmental challenges facing hares and other wildlife. Chloe highlights the decline in hare populations due to human activities and advocates for a more respectful coexistence with nature.

"Raising Hare" is more than just a wildlife rescue story; it's a meditation on the transformative power of nature and the profound connections that can arise when we open ourselves to the world around us. Chloe's journey with the hare invites readers to reflect on their own relationships with nature and consider the beauty of coexistence with the wild. 

About the author 

"Raising Hare: A Memoir" by author, Chloe Dalton. Courtesy of the Wall Street Journal

Chloe Dalton, a well-known author and expert in foreign policy, has built a distinguished career advising and collaborating with influential leaders. With more than ten years of experience in the UK Parliament and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, she has contributed extensively to policy and public discourse. 

She divides her time between London and the English countryside. Chloe holds degrees from Oriel College and Oxford University and recently earned an MBA from Oxford’s Saïd Business School.

Her first book, Raising Hare, became an immediate Sunday Times bestseller and has received significant recognition. 

Additionally, Raising Hare was selected as a Book of the Year by the Hay Festival, The Sunday Times, The Times, Financial Times, and The Spectator.     

What drew my interest in reading this book?  

While in a book store one day, my eyes caught the cover of this book. On the cover was a drawing of a fully grown rabbit. My draw to nature and the various creatures that populate the woods has been a constant draw for me. 

Thumbing through the pages various passages assured my gut feeling that this would be a book providing lessons of nature’s richness that sits right before our very eyes. We just need to stop, look, and listen. After reading the book in one day, my reaction was spot on.

Meet 'Hare'. Courtesy of the Wall Street Journal

My draw to "Raising Hare: A Memoir" by Chloe Dalton is that it’s a deeply reflective book that offers several key lessons:

Respect for Wildness – Dalton’s experience with the hare teaches readers about the delicate balance between care and autonomy. The book emphasizes the importance of respecting the wild nature of animals rather than imposing human expectations on them.

The Beauty of Observation – Through her poetic and detailed descriptions, Dalton reminds us to slow down and observe the natural world. The book encourages mindfulness and attentiveness to the small, everyday wonders of wildlife.

Human Connection with Nature – The memoir highlights how deeply intertwined human lives are with the natural world. Dalton’s bond with the hare serves as a reminder that even fleeting relationships with wild creatures can be transformative.

A central theme I found in Raising Hare is the necessity of letting go. Dalton nurtures the hare without domesticating it, showing how love sometimes means allowing freedom rather than control.

The book subtly raises awareness about the challenges hares and other wildlife face due to human encroachment, habitat loss, and climate change. It encourages a more responsible Environmental Awareness. 

What can we learn from this book? What's the take away?  

At its core, Raising Hare is a meditation on trust, patience, and coexistence. It urges us to reconsider our role in the natural world—not as conquerors but as stewards who appreciate, protect, and learn from the creatures that share our planet. 

So, don’t strand there, jump down to your favorite bookstore and pick up a copy. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. 

Well, there you go. That's life, I swear.

For further information covered in this episode, I invite you to visit my website, which you can find on Apple Podcasts, for show notes and the episode transcript.

As always, I thank you for the privilege of you listening and your interest. 

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