In this down to earth, heartwarming narrative, Beth and her husband, Jack have found their dream domaine. Their new estate features a lovely abode (after renno, of course) with outbuildings to house their flocks, surrounded by lush acres of forestland.

The woods are filled with a variety of animal species that delight and enchant the new human owners and their resident fat dogs. A surprising friendship develops with a very unlikely forest inhabitant. I won't give away too much, but I guarantee you will smile and sometimes gasp as the never-a-dull-moment tales of their coexistence are revealed.

Author Haslam gives readers a heartfelt behind the scenes view of farm life at their new estate in France. It's filled with the sweet and bittersweet happenings, and the ebbs and flows of the circle of life. You'll giggle, and at times, wipe away a tear or two, but appreciate the enchantment the animals, friends, and land bring to this couple's life. An inspiring, heartwarming story, filled with life's everyday antics. A highly recommended read!

Beth writes wonderful, warm, amusing memoirs, and I've loved her books for many years. But this book is different, special. Animals always feature in Beth's books, and it's obvious that she has loved and cared for animals all her life. This book is dedicated to the animals in the Domaine in France where Beth and her husband Jack live. I enjoyed the beginning of the book which explained how they came to purchase Le Palizac: a nice refresher for fans, and a good introduction for new readers. The tales of the forest animals are delightful, and it's obvious how much both Beth and Jack care about them. Yes, crusty Jack shows his true colors in this book, as the animal lover he really is. Beth's prose is always descriptive, but she's on top form here with vivid, almost poetic descriptions of both fauna and flora. There are some poignant moments, which are so well-written, that I found myself in tears several times. You know how you really love some books, but occasionally a book comes along that you totally adore, and know you will remember and reread? This is one of those books. It is only January, but I know this is going to be one of (if not the) best books I will read this year. What a sheer delight it is. Thank you Beth, for sharing your forest with us. This is definitely the best book you have written.

I have enjoyed all of Beth's books over the years. This one is a little different, although the setting is the same. We get a closer look into Beth and Jack's relationship with their animals, wild and tame, within their forest and home. This book is highly entertaining and at the same time highly informative. Beth takes you along on their journey from day one of settling into their new home in France and the vision they have laid out for themselves as conservationists dedicated to bringing their forest back to the best it can be. This goes hand in hand with also bringing their home back to being the best it can be after becoming a tad run down over the years. The main focus of this book though is the forest, the challenges, successes, and occasional less successful attempts to repopulate their extraordinary property with native wildlife. It is absolutely fascinating to learn the steps involved, not to mention the patience, love, commitment and lengths they will go to for this to be a success. The celebrations and occasional heartaches involved have you holding your breath with them rooting for the critters to 'take hold' and multiply in healthy numbers. Beth and Jack's touching 'friendship' that develops with Tripod the 3 legged wild boar as he grows overcoming the odds against him is a wonderful tribute to the trust and caring between human animal and wild animal that continues for his lifetime, Tripod eventually bringing his litters to meet the Haslam's and teach his youngsters the same trust that he has found with them. Of course there are light and extremely funny moments throughout, plus truly touching moments with their household pets all of which have distinct personalities that shine through the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest book. Lessons in love, patience, and trust between those with two, three, and four legs! Thank you Beth!

This latest book, written by the talented Beth Haslam, is a love story involving kind, dedicated, patient, hardworking Beth and her husband Jack (who tries to play the role of a curmudgeon but keeps revealing his true softie self). Beth and Jack became the owners and guardians of a huge 400(ish) acre wooded estate, Le Palizac Domaine (written about in her delightful and humorous Fat Dog series). Her earlier books are filled with the trials and tribulations of searching for land in France, the hilarious and often maddening frustrations of trying to renovate centuries old buildings in a new language and culture, and the antics of several generations of adorable beloved dogs. But this book focuses on the challenges and learning curves of being the devoted caretakers of a massive and delicate ecosystem and the living, breathing creatures who inhabit their land. Jack and Beth's deep bonds with the wild animals who surround them is at times breathtakingly sweet and incredible, but at other times heartbreaking in the harsh realities of nature. Beth and Jack devote their lives to being the best possible stewards of their immense estate, keeping their land healthy and minimizing the suffering of animals. This book was very poignant, making me laugh and cry. It should be required reading for anyone who has a forest to manage. and well as everyone who loves both domestic and wild animals. A beautiful accomplishment.

I have read all Beth Haslam’s books and loved every one of them, so I was thrilled to be asked to beta read Beyond the Forest Fringe. However, to my mind, this latest in the Fat Dogs and French Estates series surpasses everything she written to date, because it seems to me that this book, more than any of her previous memoirs, is written straight from her heart.

With her deep-rooted and lifelong love of wildlife and animals, I believe Beth has written a masterpiece in the same league as The Elephant Whisperer. It is both superbly written and a perceptive exploration of the relationships we can build with our natural world and its inhabitants if only we take the time to nurture them.

Interspersed with these fascinating, inspiring observations, insights and information about the forest surrounding her home are Beth’s signature humorous anecdotes, her affectionate accounts of her grumpy husband’s testy behaviour and stories relating to her wonderful neighbours, but the forest and its inhabitants are the stars of this book, especially one of them. The unusual trust she and Jack build with this exceptional forest dweller gives me goosebumps even now. It’s hard to sum up such a special book but perhaps this says it: I learned, I laughed and I wept at the Haslams’ experiences, but above all, I was uplifted

In Fat Dogs and French Estates- Beyond the Forest Fringe, Author Beth Haslam creatively begins each chapter with a thoughtful quote as we revisit her French estate, Le Palizac. It's like a return to home for those who read the entire series; but here, she focuses more on the wonderful creatures in the forest on her estate. Her great descriptions offer readers the same birdseye view that she and husband Jack witnessed as they sat in their miradors. Then, enters the legendary Tripod, a three-legged boar with whom they spend many years. It is a memorable narrative that leaves readers thinking and reflecting on the beauty of nature!

I found this book to be an absolute treasure. Ms. Haslam has skillfully interwoven bits of her previous books from her wonderful Fat Dogs series into her latest book, describing life in the forest in Southwest France with her gruff but tender-hearted husband Jack and their menagerie of animals. Her ability to write in a way that puts the reader into their world is amazing, and I felt that I was witnessing their adventures first-hand. I especially loved reading about the valiant wild boar Tripod and his various adventures. I also loved her description of the Haslams’ friends and neighbors and the deep love and respect they have for each other. Ms. Haslam has an endearing way of relating with humor the various challenges she and Jack experience daily. Ms. Haslam’s deep love and commitment to the forest animals is very heart-warming and true. This book is a joy to read.

What a delightful romp through the French countryside with dogs in tow and appearances by special animals and French characters as Beth and her husband suffer the ups and downs of the renovation and protection of a beautiful but rundown property. Along with Beth’s lovely descriptions of their day-to-day life, I admire her dedication to the wildlife and the ecosystem of their land. I also adored the interplay between Beth and her “grumpy” engineer spouse, who despite his disposition, completely supports his wife. Animal lovers will be enchanted by this book, which is the latest in her series, Fat Dogs and French Estates. Thank you, Beth, for caring so well for our natural world!

Beyond the Forest Fringe is the newest addition to Beth’s terrific ‘Fat Dogs and French Estates’ series, and it's an absolute treat from start to finish!

Having thoroughly enjoyed every single book in the fat dogs’ series so far, I knew Beth’s latest would be brilliant, but it exceeded all my expectations.

For those not yet familiar with Beth's world, here's a quick potted intro: she and her husband Jack, (slightly grumpy but actually quite a softie inside) decide they want a rural property in France, and after many hilarious ‘viewings’ and just as hope was fading, they find and fall in love with a neglected Domaine in the beautiful Tarn et Garonne region of southwest France.

As the purchase of Le Palizac progresses Beth and Jack discover they have become the guardians of 168 hectares of forest. Undaunted by the challenges, they set about renovating the house, while also attempting to create a protected wildlife sanctuary in the forest. This is Beth’s dream, but long-suffering super supportive Jack proves he can rise to the occasion with just as much enthusiasm as Beth. Together with their unassuming but extremely capable forester Nathan, and with several amazingly helpful neighbours who offer advice, suggestions, and additional creatures, the forest sanctuary project at Le Palizac slowly begins to take shape.

There are many successes but there are also heartbreaking failures. Building a wildlife sanctuary is a noble goal, but nature isn’t always supportive. The weather is no friend of the forest, bringing torrential rain, strong winds and sleet. There are moments that are genuinely moving, particularly when things don't go to plan and the forest reveals its wilder, less forgiving side - so keep those tissues handy, you’ll need them!

What started as a dream of country living has evolved, book by book, into something much richer. It is a labour of love, a genuine attempt to live alongside nature, rescue animals, and build a wildlife sanctuary in the heart of the forest. This latest instalment picks up that story and takes it somewhere deeper, both literally and emotionally.

What I love most about Beth's writing is how effortlessly it pulls you in. She has this warm, conversational style that makes you feel like you're an old friend, sitting across the kitchen table from her, mug in hand, as she tells you about the latest chaos in her corner of France. There's real wit here, a dry, understated humour that creeps up on you. Beth has a unique voice, and her lyrical descriptions are full of imagery and emotion.

There are the laughs, the animal escapades, the familiar neighbours, and the beautiful descriptions of the French countryside that I love. But the forest animals are the real stars of Beyond the Forest Fringe and one amazing creature in particular shows extraordinary resilience and courage which is truly inspirational.

Once in a blue moon you come across a book that speaks to your soul and remains with you long after the last page, this is such a book. It’s an enormously satisfying read. Funny, warm, occasionally heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting. It restores your faith in human nature and is exactly the kind of book the world needs more of right now.

Bravo Beth, this is such a special book and one I will always treasure.

I have read and loved all of the Fat Dogs books, so it was wonderful to return to the French estate of Le Palizac once again.

Beth and her husband Jack share a love of all of God's creatures, and this is evident on every page of this heart warming book. The reader is taken through the highs and lows of everyday life for this enterprising couple.

A must read for all readers who share a love of animals, birds and rural life.

In this, her 7th book in the Fat Dogs series, Beth Haslam does a wonderful thing.

The story of how she and husband Jack, looking to buy a French property they could use as a second home, become gradually aware of their growing role of full-time stewards and guardians of a magical forest domain and its inhabitants, is one that has captivated readers’ imaginations since its beginning. The usual ingredients light up this latest chapter in their journey - the author’s love of life, of her new home and friends in France, of the natural world, and of the pets, waifs and strays that have become well-known characters in her joyful, life affirming books.

But this time we discover another side to her character, and another tone in her writing, through the relationship that develops between her and a creature of the wild. And not just any creature. Forget those adorable Bambis and Watership Down bunnies–this iconic, primeval animal, ranging the forests of Europe for thousands of years, has been celebrated in countless tales and legends illustrating man’s urge to pit himself against a most redoubtable foe - the boar.

Beth’s account of how she and Jack, having come across a three-legged baby boar, cast out from his family and unable to fend for himself, decide to take a hand in his destiny is extremely moving, and handled with great sensitivity. A deep connexion develops between Tripod and Beth in particular, as she observes the extraordinary details of his progress and imagines the world as seen through his eyes. It’s a connexion that leads to much self-questioning, reflections on the perils of anthropomorphism and existential concerns in general. It’s also a hard story to tell, and to tell it right, but for this reader the author has found the perfect words to illustrate what biologist E. O. Wilson called ‘biophilia’ – man’s unique bond with nature, and how this affects the way we think about the world we live in and makes our lives immeasurably richer.

Hats off to Tripod, now a local legend in his own right, and to Beth Haslam for making him unforgettable in her beautifully-written homage to this most special of the all the wondrous creatures beyond the forest’s fringe.

Beautifully written. Equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. A journey to a magical forest, it's inhabitants and the intrepid guardians who protect it.

Beth's love of animals and the countryside once again on display in this fascinating memoir. Beautifully written, a great read!