Elephant Moon
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Get 3 months for £0.99/mo
Elephant Moon
Buy Now for £15.99
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Narrated by:
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Helen Johns
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By:
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John Sweeney
About this listen
As the Second World War rages, the Japanese Imperial Army enters Burma, and the British rulers prepare to flee.
But the human legacy of the British Empire will be left behind in the shape of 62 Anglo-Burmese children, born to local women after affairs with foreign men.
Half castes, they are not acknowledged by either side, and they are to be abandoned with no one to protect them. Their teacher, Grace Collins, a young Englishwoman, refuses to join the European evacuation and instead sets out to deliver the orphans to the safety of India. She faces impossible odds because between her and India lie 1,000 miles of jungle, mountains, rivers, and the constant, unseen threat of the Japanese.
With Japanese soldiers chasing them down, the group's chances of survival shrink - until they come across a herd of 53 elephants who, with their awesome strength and kindness, quickly become the orphans' only hope of survival.
Based on a true story, Elephant Moon is an unforgettable epic tale of courage and compassion in the midst of brutality and destruction.
John Sweeney is a reporter for BBC Panorama. He has won many journalism awards and is the author of five previous books. Elephant Moon is his first novel.
©2012 John Sweeney (P)2015 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"If you were to relocate Michael Morpurgo's War Horse to Burma in the Second World War, with elephants taking the sentimental role from the horses, you might end up with something like Elephant Moon by John Sweeney. It is a tender and loving tribute to 'Nature's great masterpiece.... The only harmless great thing', as John Donne described the elephant, as well as an insight into one of the forgotten battlegrounds of the war." (Literary Review)
Where does Elephant Moon rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This story was compelling, exciting and heartwarming all at the same time. A great read and one I will return to more than once.What other book might you compare Elephant Moon to, and why?
The author gives credit to Elephant Bill (still sitting on our bookshelf from 40 odd years ago) which is the true life account of refugees and elephants and more.Which character – as performed by Helen Johns – was your favourite?
Mother and little Oomi were my favourites - how could you not love the elephants?Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
When Oomi was caught in the flash flood I just had to read on to discover his fate.Any additional comments?
Although this is fiction, it is based on fact. The elephants' skill and knowledge is well documented as is their close relationship with their handlers. The story put me through a whole range of emotions - much the same as Grace, the heroine, would have had.Heartwarming
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Averaging average
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Engrossing, didn't want it to end.
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Great story & excellent narration
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There were quite a few poor reviews on this book which put me off when I looked at it on numerous occasions, however my curiosity and the fact that you can return books to get your credit money back, made me return and purchase it.
I was not disappointed, this is a little known true story of a British school teacher taking her half caste Burmese pupil’s to safety in India over the jungle mountains and difficult terrain whilst being pursued by the Japanese army in 1942.
Yes I will agree that it could do with a bit of an edit, however it really does not detract from this adventure full of tragedy, love and bravery.
Nicely read by Helen Johns
Little known true story.
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