England, 1766: After a long voyage from the East Indies, a ship docks in Bristol, England, and rumor quickly spreads about its unusual cargo. In the final two crates is a pair of young elephants, in poor health but alive.
Seeing a unique opportunity, a wealthy sugar merchant purchases the elephants for his country estate and turns their care over to a young stable boy, Tom Page. It takes time for Tom and the elephants to understand each other, but to the surprise of everyone on the estate, a remarkable bond is formed.
The Elephant Keeper is a captivating tale of love and loyalty between one man and the two exotic animals that change the lives of everyone who encounters them.
My thoughts
Tom Page is the son of a groom, who instead of taking care of horses, wants the task of taking care of two sickly elephants that have landed on the docks of England in 1766. The Elephant Keeper is the story of the bond between Tom and Jenny (one of the elephants he named) and their life together. He follows Jenny has she is sold to various owners and eventually ends up in a show.
Not an action filled novel, but one filled with a detailed look of life in England during that time and the separation of the classes. It is also a story of the love between animal and boy (and does Jenny really talk to Tom or is it in his mind). An intriguing tale that is thought-provoking. The author also provides an alternate ending.
Disclosure: I received this book for review from the publisher. I received no compensation for my thoughts.
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