description Bless the Beasts and Children Overview
"Bless the Beasts and Children" is a 1970 Western novel written by Glendon Swarthout that explores themes of adolescent alienation and animal conservation. The plot centers on a group of socially ostracized boys, dubbed the "Bedwetters," staying at an Arizona summer camp. The youths rally together to execute a dangerous mission to free a herd of captive buffalo from a commercial shooting range. The story was notably adapted into a 1971 film of the same name and appeals to readers interested in coming-of-age narratives and critiques of American hunting practices.
help Bless the Beasts and Children FAQ
What happens in Bless the Beasts and Children?
Glendon Swarthout's 1970 novel follows six socially rejected boys at an Arizona summer camp who call themselves the Bedwetters. They run away to free a herd of buffalo marked for slaughter, turning their own outsider status into a fight for the animals.
Who are the Bedwetters?
The Bedwetters are the camp's group of misfit boys, including Cotton and the Lally brothers. Their nickname is meant to shame them, but the group becomes the central team in the buffalo rescue plot.
Why is the title Bless the Beasts and Children?
In Swarthout's 1970 novel, the title joins the vulnerable buffalo with the alienated children, whose need for protection mirrors the animals' situation. That parallel drives the book's conservation theme and its criticism of how adults treat outsiders.
Was Bless the Beasts and Children made into a film?
Yes. Stanley Kramer directed a 1971 film adaptation starring Billy Mumy, Barry Robins, and Miles Chapin, and the Carpenters recorded its title song.
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