The Memory of an Elephant by Alex Lasker

How I Heard About It
*This novel was chosen for my BBC (Boy's Book Club).  This is a book club with a small group of male teachers that I have been reading with since 2000.


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:
*This novel spans the years from 1962 until present day in Africa, London, Manhattan, and Switzerland.

*An elephant is found on the open road in Africa with a definite journey on his mind.

*The story goes back and forth between time periods covering both the lives of humans and the elephants they interact with.

*Poaching is covered, and the characters that try to stop the poachers and protect the elephants.

*The lives of one family are followed and the impact that caring for elephants has on each of them.


What I Thought Of It - Five Observations/Reflections:
*This story came with RAVE reviews so we were excited to read the book for our book club selection.

*While I enjoyed the start up of the story, I found myself quickly becoming a bit bored and struggled staying engaged.

*A fellow book clubber was further in the story than myself and told me to keep going.  He was enjoying the story.

*I'm glad I stuck with it, but found myself sometimes confused by the time frame and/or which characters I was reading about.

*After finishing, I'm thinking my own mind frame wasn't in a place for this type of story because so many readers gave the novel 4 and/or 5 stars.  This may be a story I go back to at another point in time.


Who Should Read It:
*Based on all the reviews I've read online, I think this is definitely a story for most adult readers.  So many readers have nothing but positives to say about the story.  Give it a try!  Happy Reading...


Rating:  3 STARS out of 5 Stars