Helen Macdonald

Helen Macdonald, author and narrator of the memoir H Is for Hawk, was born and raised in England by working-class parents. She became a historian, naturalist, and falconer, and at the memoir’s outset, she is a scholar living and working in Cambridge. Her life takes a profound turn following her father’s sudden death from a heart attack, leading her to embark on a journey to raise and train a goshawk named Mabel, paralleling her journey through grief. Macdonald also intricately weaves the narrative of British author T. H. White into her own, forming a complex emotional connection with him due to their shared feelings of estrangement and their respective relationships with goshawks.

Macdonald is portrayed as introspective, compassionate, and predominantly solitary during much of the memoir. Her keen interest in justice, history, and the natural world is evident. She often describes feeling out of place within the academic culture of Cambridge, despite displaying a profound academic curiosity and interest in the intersection of social and natural history. Grieving her father’s death, she finds solace in her roles as an avid researcher and a lover of the wild, serving as a testament to her deep engagement with the world.

Throughout the memoir, Macdonald reflects on her father's influence, recalling the lessons he imparted about patience, bravery, and the importance of observing the natural world. Her narrative is punctuated by memories of her father, referred to as Dad, a respected photographer known for his work in challenging and perilous situations. These recollections underscore the depth of her mourning and the enduring impact of her father’s teachings.

Mabel

Mabel, the young goshawk that Macdonald acquires from a breeder in Northern Ireland, is of Czech, Finnish, and German ancestry, and notably small for her breed. From their first meeting, Macdonald feels an immediate connection to Mabel, and over time, they develop a trusting, affectionate bond. Mabel, through learning to jump to Macdonald’s fist, fly with jesses, and eventually soar freely, becomes integral to Macdonald’s navigation of her grief over her father’s death.

Frequently marveled at for her "prehistoric" appearance and sharp gaze, Mabel exhibits intelligence and shrewdness. Her quick learning impresses Macdonald, revealing a playful and sweet side not commonly associated with goshawks. As the memoir progresses, Mabel’s growing hunting prowess moves Macdonald, who notes Mabel’s remarkable ability to identify prey, even within book illustrations. At the memoir’s conclusion, Mabel is placed temporarily in a friend’s aviary to undergo moulting—a poignant farewell, yet a necessary hiatus for both.

Dad

Though deceased before the memoir’s events, Macdonald’s father, known simply as Dad, remains a vivid presence throughout H Is for Hawk. His sudden death leaves a profound impact on Macdonald. As a photojournalist, his renown stemmed from capturing exceptional shots under daunting circumstances. Macdonald recalls various life lessons from him, including patience, fear management, and valuing the natural world’s intricacies.

During his memorial, Macdonald shares a telling anecdote about her father’s ingenuity: as a boy, he photographed a new US Air Force plane model, only to have authorities confiscate his film and destroy his notes. Ingeniously using a pencil, he retrieved the plane’s serial number imprinted on the next notebook page—a testament to his curiosity, determination, and resourcefulness. Both he and Macdonald found solace as "watchers," attentively observing their surroundings.

T. H. White

T. H. White, a prominent British writer, is renowned for his Arthurian novel The Once and Future King. In The Goshawk , White candidly recounts his challenging experience training a hawk, a narrative that significantly influences Macdonald, who revisits the book following her father’s death. Despite its...