wadeburch

Ordered this book by mistake. So many similar titles recently, it seems. But since I had it, and I love elephants, read it anyway. I'm so glad I did. It's a beautiful story. A brother and sister elephant arrive on docks of an English port, very dehydrated and nearly dead. They are taken to a rich man who has a stableman that takes on the care and healing of the two elephants. Much about elephant biology is revealed in the early part of the book. And the caretaker, Tom Page, becomes the main human character in the book. The elephants grow up and thrive with Tom's love and gentle care. But, the kind owner dies and they are sold to another country gentleman. Tom and Jenny, the female elephant, end up going to another estate, then to a menagerie. Early owners are kind and benevolent, but when the son of the menagerie owner decides to take Jenny in hand, the results are tragic and life-changing. This was a pleasant and believable read. Much more believable than the events in another supposed memoir that featured an elephant, Modoc, by Ralph Hefler. But this book reminded me of Modoc and some of his adventures.

2020-08-21 05:15