Elephant Moon

This was a novel I really enjoyed on many levels. I had a vague idea of the contradictory reviews of the readers, but I seldom let negative opinions influence me when it comes to historical fiction, if I am really interested in the era and the subject.

I hadn't read any work of fiction or non - fiction, before I started reading Elephant Moon, about Burma and the region as a whole during the Second World War, so I was completely invested in the story. John Sweeney's writing is simple and beautiful at the same time. When he describes the jungle, the city market, the suburbs and the school, I am able to envision the scenes without feeling as if I am reading Travel Literature. The dialogue flows naturally with a nice touch of '40s English colloquialisms and tasteful hints of humour. It is a difficult, unusual subject, and delicate, since Grace Collins, a young, British schoolteacher, has the duty of leading 60 children out of the jungle - that can become a battlefield anytime - aided by a few brave men and some astonishing, beautiful creatures, the elephants. However, the real danger lurked much closer to them than they had imagined.

I liked Grace as a heroine. She was believable, brave, level-headed and stood her ground against sexim and discrimination. Did she fall in love a little too easily? Yes, so? Most of us do, anyway. Sam and Bertie are fascinating gentlemen. Gregory is one of the vilest, most malicious and despicable literary creations I've ever come across, reminiscent of the Victorian evil antagonists that have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

So, my two cents about Elephant Moon? Don't be dissuaded by the polarized reviews, give it a chance and see if you enjoy it. Do not expect Forster's A Passage to India, but a well-written, refreshing novel about brave people and even braver animals.