A predecessor to 1984 (the most awesome book in existence), it also deals with a vision of a dystopia far in the future. Zamyatin depicts a controllist state governed by something as impermeable as mathematics. No emotion is involved and the soul is seen as a disease. Although the situation is much more dispairing than the one shown in 1984, it also offers some hope as one still gets the impression of a resistance outside the green wall. Despite the "numbers" being completely brainwashed, the One State is a society on the brink of collapse. The Guardians are ultra paranoid of any abnormal activity, spying on the citizens more than normal. The book is written in the form of a journal addressed to the people of another planet. It justifies the One State and is an attempt to socialize the other planet's people before a possible invasion by men.

The animals around the misty Isles of Scotland get to tell this tale of adventure as escape of Bonnie Prince Charley through the Highlands in 1746. He's now a Scottish deerhound, beholding to Skye terrier Fora MacDonald. Robert Hutchinson and Rob Brown join forces to tell and illustrate the story beautifully. I especially liked the way Flora communicates with "free" animals who bravely come to her aid. Such a talented lady--she speaks otter, owl, porpoise, marten, and deer! A lovely, lyrical journey sure to delight parents and children alike.