The Lemming Condition

The Lemming Condition

Category: (Book)

16 new, starting at $5.15

26 used, starting at $0.79

Buy Now

Editorial Reviews

The wonderful story of Bubber the Lemming that teaches everyone something about conformity and individual values

Customer Reviews

Fine for Children in the Recommended Age Range

Reviewed by Amanda, 2008-12-14

I read this book when I was about 6-7 years old. They had it at my school's library, and it was one of the first books I read (on my own, outside of class). The main pieces of the book I remember were the lemmings' mass suicide, and the main character having the intelligence and foresight to not join in. It didn't disturb or frighten me at that age, it just left me feeling very perplexed at the idiocy of the lemmings. It didn't "corrupt" my young mind in anyway, and though I don't remember there being any swear words as another reviewer had mentioned if there were they never influenced me in any manner, in other words I was never one to swear in my childhood. However, it did have enough of an impact on me that I have never forgot it, and throughout my life I have come to understand the deeper meanings of what Alan Arkin was trying to get at (not to sound conceited) at a seemingly faster rate than some of my peers who had not been exposed to such literature at the age range that I had. It's been so long (well over a decade, not quite two) that I can't really comment on how well it was actually written or the depth of the characters and such, all I can comment on is that it can be a very influential book for children in the recommended age range (4-8). Influential in a positive way, of course. On a side-note, it did prompt me to learn more about lemmings... What was disturbing for me at that age: finding out what the company who made the majority of films I was watching had done to those poor lemmings.

it is for Adults, if you give this to a child, it may disturb them for a long time

Reviewed by chris, 2008-03-27

The lemming condition is written like a Children's story but it is not.
the message in it is for more adults than Kids.
if read in schools I suggest above sixth grade, it is not descriptively Violent, it just is very unnatural for a book written like it to contain the things it does, most children will not expect such a ending do to it is a fairy tale sort of thing, and so get into the mind fix that the ending is happy, almost all the characters commit a unknowingly suicide, falling off the cliff one after another.

Sincerely,
disturbed Teenager

P.s. Read it. It is good, just not for Kids.

!! EXCELLENT Read Aloud or Read Alone!!

Reviewed by jadecrayon, 2006-09-17

As an elementary school teacher, I have read this book aloud to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. It is an amazing springboard for discussion and can be tailored to any age group--adults included. Those who arrogantly posit how simplistic this book is, apparently have not dealt with children. I have been amazed with the many themes I have been able to use in the classroom--not just life lessons (not following the crowd, thinking for yourself, friendship, tolerance, etc.), but with teaching writing.

Caveat: Make sure the children know that scientifically, it is not true that lemmings run off cliffs. Focus on the fact that because the main character chose to think for himself, he saved himself from a lot of heartache and was able to continue to grow and learn.

an old favorite

Reviewed by Sanford Shapiro, 2005-08-13

I read this book back in the eighties while I was teaching. This summer I read it again with a couple of middle and upper elementary aged kids. To me it's a classic story, written simply but with a rare combination of lightness, humor and a look at the important ideas concerning "following your own path." It's a book that parents can read with their kids and use the story lines to discuss all sorts of ideas. It's a children's book that doesn't talk down to kids. In fact, it's a simple story for all ages.

The Lemming Condition

Reviewed by Anonymous, 2005-01-20

Bubber, your average Lemming, was just another Lemming in the field. Then all of a sudden, every Lemming starts talking, and talking about one thing only. Traveling west. Every Lemming in the whole colony is heading west. They don't know why and they don't how far they're going. That is, until Bubber talks to his friend Crow. Then he realizes that he's going to need to jump off a cliff and into water to get there, which is fine except for one small thing. He doesn't know if Lemmings can swim! Bubber tries to figure out what's going on and what they should do.
This is a good book for all ages. It is easy enough for young readers to understand and has a hidden message for older people. Some readers may think that this is a book for only young kids but as you get along the way, you'll find that this is good for all ages. I was surprised to find out that Alan Arkin is an actor and an author as well. Alan Arkin puts you in a position you're not in every day. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a quick, but good story.
-Brendan Goggins