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Nancy E. (Whitehouse Station, NJ)
A Novel About Elephants
This novel is set in the second half of the 18th century and is about a young teenager becoming the caretaker of two elephants in England and follows his life with the elephants as the only person who had the skills to take care of these beautiful but strange animals which most people had never heard of much less seen at that time.
The first half to three quarters of the book is very interesting and detailed and rings true to what life would have been like during the time period. The last part of the book skims over the greater part of the caretaker's life and the story became much less interesting to me. I have
…more been interested in elephants for a long time and have read extensively about their social structure. The author captures the behavior of the elephants very well and also what it was like for a young man to grow up interacting with them.
This book is a coming of age story at least at the beginning and should appeal to teenagers and adults who are interested in animals and animal behavior and how they interact with humans. The story is lovely in many ways and is well researched historically. I would recommend the book but with some reservations. (less)I liked reading this book....a story within a story. Even though Tom (the protagonist) thought writing The History of The Elephant would be "a dull affair", it was anything but dull.
This is a captivating story of a boy and two elephants he takes care of and raises. At times it made me smile and other times, brought tears to my eyes. I will always think of Tom and Jenny disappearing in the fog.
Anyone who has an appreciation and fascination for elephants or animals, will like this book.
Melissa W. (Savage, MN)
A Touching Story
Although I was drawn into the story at the beginning, near the middle it started to slow down for me. The relationship between Tom and Jenny showed how intense Tom's affection toward Jenny and his love of elephants had become. I was not surprised by the cruelty towards elephants during that time period, especially after having read Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants," but I was surprised at how little I knew about elephants and their habits. Mr. Nicholson really did his homework for this book, and I was impressed.
Susan B. (Rutledge, MO)
this is a Keeper!
I really enjoyed this book. I found the style engaging and consistent with the time frame and location (18th century England). The character of the narrator-cum-hero was interesting, if occasionally perplexing, and the author did a good job of making the keeper’s near-obsession with his elephant charges seem utterly reasonable.
Readers interested in the setting, animals in general, or elephants in particular, should enjoy this one. I read it the same week I read Sara Gruen's Water for Elephant, and I think anyone who liked Water would also want to read Keeper.
Laura K. (Middletown, NJ)
Good Coming-of-Age Story
The Elephant Keeper is a coming-of-age story about two elephants in England and their young keeper. The author does a wonderful job of personifying the elephants, I really cared about what would happen to them! A well written, compelling story...it will change how you feel about zoos and their inhabitants!
Sharon V. (Chicago, IL)
The Elephant Keeper
This is really a story in a story. Tom, the boy, has been asked to write about the elephants he keeps, Jenny and Timothy. He struggles at first because he doesn’t know many facts about Indian elephants. The story he eventually writes, “The History of the Elephant” focuses on his relationship with the elephants - a timeless love story of truth and beauty and sadness.
Many of the characters are not portrayed in a flattering light and this is shown in the manner in which they treat Jenny. The main theme is the lack of understanding of the elephants by humans. The exception to this is Tom, whose understanding of
…more Jenny is so innate that he almost seems to be part elephant.
Although the plot lagged, the prose was lovely and the author’s message was clear. (less)Although the book started off slowly for me, I was quickly drawn to the sensitive portrayal of Tom Page and the elephant he cared for, lived with, and talked to as one might talk to a close friend. Jenny provided a full life for Tom in 18th Century England as he taught her many "tricks" that brought enjoyment to all who knew her. As the book went on, Tom's love for Jenny brought me to a greater understanding of pachyderms. You can't help but feel empathy for this twosome.
Laura H. (Los Angeles, CA)
The Elephant Keeper
A fun, enjoyable light summer read - it's one of those books you could read in an afternoon. The main character and his animal companions are engaging and likable but many of the characters they interact with aren't fully fleshed out and come across as stereotypes. The writing is sometimes awkward as the author tries to get across the formality of 19th century speech and expressions.
What will keep you turning the pages is the well-structured plot and the fascinating elephant Jenny. If you love stories about the special connection between animals and the humans that really care about them, this is your book.
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