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A review by saarahnina
An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo
5.0
Es ist wunderbar
Back when I was in primary school, we were always encouraged to read Michael Morpurgo's books. I loved them, always. His writings build around the themes of love, compassion, family, friendship, and there's almost always an animal. I've always loved the Butterfly Lion, and I plan to read it again.
This book though, the Elephant in the Garden, is equally brilliant and heart warming. When I saw the elephant on the cover, I was so drawn to it that I didn't notice the cute little boy sitting atop it until I picked it up for the fifth time. The cover is wonderful. Who wouldn't want an elephant in their garden, especially an elephant ss intelligent and wise as Marlene?
This story begins with Lizzie, she's at the elderly nursing home, where she meets Karl- the child of one of the nurses who works there. And because Karl reminds Lizzie so much of her brother, Karli, when he was younger, she tells the young Karl of her adventure with the elephant in the garden. Karl's mother, the nurse, tries to dissuade Karl from the story- she tells him they are just the rumblings of an old woman who is slowly losing her mind. But, young Karl believes Lizzie and soon, so does his mother. So there they sit at Lizzie's bedside where she recounts her tale with the elephant, Marlene, which her mother brought into their family. She tells them of Karli and Marlene's immediate friendship. Of herself falling in love with someone who couldn't be anymore unsuitable for her, she tells them of Mutti's strength when all seemed to be going awry, and Marlene's constant companionship. This is the story of one German family's determination and courage, set against the backdrop of the second world war.
It reminded me very much of those historical fiction books, the 'My Story' collection which allow you to read of various time periods and the life of one character at the time. It is books like those, and books like these, which I always chose of my own accord, that gave me such a profound liking for the study of history. This book is really brilliant, and with all historical books and adventures, it will have you expecting the worst every time. But with fiction, more so than reality, there's mostly always light at the end of the tunnel. So, don't be disheartened and have patience: just remember that, and turn one page after the other. That's all you have got to do.
Back when I was in primary school, we were always encouraged to read Michael Morpurgo's books. I loved them, always. His writings build around the themes of love, compassion, family, friendship, and there's almost always an animal. I've always loved the Butterfly Lion, and I plan to read it again.
This book though, the Elephant in the Garden, is equally brilliant and heart warming. When I saw the elephant on the cover, I was so drawn to it that I didn't notice the cute little boy sitting atop it until I picked it up for the fifth time. The cover is wonderful. Who wouldn't want an elephant in their garden, especially an elephant ss intelligent and wise as Marlene?
This story begins with Lizzie, she's at the elderly nursing home, where she meets Karl- the child of one of the nurses who works there. And because Karl reminds Lizzie so much of her brother, Karli, when he was younger, she tells the young Karl of her adventure with the elephant in the garden. Karl's mother, the nurse, tries to dissuade Karl from the story- she tells him they are just the rumblings of an old woman who is slowly losing her mind. But, young Karl believes Lizzie and soon, so does his mother. So there they sit at Lizzie's bedside where she recounts her tale with the elephant, Marlene, which her mother brought into their family. She tells them of Karli and Marlene's immediate friendship. Of herself falling in love with someone who couldn't be anymore unsuitable for her, she tells them of Mutti's strength when all seemed to be going awry, and Marlene's constant companionship. This is the story of one German family's determination and courage, set against the backdrop of the second world war.
It reminded me very much of those historical fiction books, the 'My Story' collection which allow you to read of various time periods and the life of one character at the time. It is books like those, and books like these, which I always chose of my own accord, that gave me such a profound liking for the study of history. This book is really brilliant, and with all historical books and adventures, it will have you expecting the worst every time. But with fiction, more so than reality, there's mostly always light at the end of the tunnel. So, don't be disheartened and have patience: just remember that, and turn one page after the other. That's all you have got to do.