Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson UK 2009

Shortlisted for the 2009 Costa Whitbread Prize

Paperback Fiction, 298 pages

Harper Collins US

Book Description:

"Set in Bristol, England in 1766, this is the story of Jenny and Timothy, brother and sister baby elephants, that arrive from India half dead. Under the care of a sensitive and astute young stable boy named Tom Page, the two elephants recover their health and spirits and eventually form a remarkable bond with each other.  But it’s not until the two creatures are sold to different owners that Tom learns the true meaning of love and loyalty.

Deeply soulful and richly imaginative, The Elephant Keeper is a mesmerizing tale you won’t soon forget.  Critics and readers are united in their glowing praise for this beautiful novel, which was short-listed for the prestigious Costa Prize in the UK (and is a perfect summer read for book clubs too)"


What a heartwarming, realistic, and powerful story of devotion this is. I loved every minute of it. Set in 1770s England with just the right pace to create a feel for the times. Elephants fascinate me and I was worried that too much of the story might be taken up with people and their doings. But The Elephant Keeper really does tell the story of the elephants themselves, and their lives with their devoted keeper. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Harper Collins has generously offered three paperback copies to readers of Fresh Ink Books.

Open worldwide until midnight Friday August 6, 2010. 


To enter:

1. Go to Reviews tab at the top of the sidebar and post a relevant comment on any review on my blog.
2. Then comment on this post indicating that you'd like to win a copy of The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson and that you are a follower or subscriber.*
3. Provide your email address.

Entries not following the rules will be not qualify.


*My giveaways are for my readers. If you become a new follower/subscriber for the duration of the giveaway I have no problem with that. I am confident that a few visits may make you want to stay.


Harper Collins

33 comments:

  1. I have a thing about elephants too and this book sounds lovely. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
    I was looking through your review list when I spotted Hannah's Dream - elephants again so seemed appropriate to leave a comment there. I have it on hold at the library and looking forward to reading it.

    I'm a follower. :-)
    catsplace31(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)nz

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooohhh this book sounds wonderful and I would definitely love to win a copy. I subscribe to your RSS feed, I am a bit of a lurker though I will admit. amy.mckie[at]gmail.com

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  3. So, this sounds wonderful, but I'm a bit concerned that it'll make me cry. Are the elephants ever abused? I have such a weak stomach for that type of thing. (No need to enter me in the giveaway; my library has this one.)

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. This sounds like a great read and I am thankful for the chance to win it! Have you ever read "When Elephants Weep" by Jeffrey Masson? I thought it was wonderful.

    sbrocki(@0embarqmail(.)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. sbrockis(@)embarqmail(.)com

    left out the s in the above comment!

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  8. I posted a comment on your review of Angel's Game.

    I have joined as a follower.

    This sounds like an interesting book and I am a great animal lover, so I would like to read it.

    Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it up to worldwide entries.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love elephants and I would like to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
    I am a new follower.
    I left a comment on your review of The Gargoyle.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. The Elephant Keeper sounds wonderful. I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance.
    I am a follower and I commented on The Book Thief review.
    shishito85 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would love to read about the elephants. It sounds like a wonderful book. I subscribe in google reader.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Elephants are fascinating creatures and I do love books about them. Subscribe through Google Reader.

    Amy S.
    artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This one sounds terrific. I need to check out a copy.

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  14. I am incredibily drawn to elephants and would love to read this book. Thanks so much for putting it up for us.

    I am a new follower and left a comment on your review of Hannah's Dream.

    hiawassee04(at)aim(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. We love reading anything about elephants at my house, but I have to admit that this story set in 1770 sounds unlike anything we've previously read. We all know what strong bonds elephants form - I look forward to reading about how they fared after they were separated.

    I'm a Follower. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.

    I left a comment on TOMATO GIRL - a book I've waited much too long to read!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello - I left a comment on your "Mrs. Dalloway" review, I'm a follower and my email address is info@tribute-books - I'd love to win this book from your Got Books? giveaway.

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  17. I am follower

    vidishamun@gmail.com

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  18. I am a follower (new)

    twilightforever.edward(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I made a comment on Beatrice and Virgil.
    I would like to be entered for the elephant keeper. I am a follower. Thanks.
    caliblue7 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I have just come here from Semicolon, and intend to stay :) (Well, you know what I mean...I'll subscribe using google reader) Please enter me in the giveaway. I'm off to browse your reviews now.
    erinj773 at gmail dot com

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  21. I would like to be entered for The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. I am a follower :)

    sophiayunjin(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm new and wish I could subscribe by email.
    I follow.
    I left a comment on your A Mercy by Toni Morrison - Review ..which I need to read now.
    I would love to win The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson. Sounds so good.

    dorcontest at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would love a chance to read this book; please enter me. thanks so much

    bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Left a comment for your Swan Thieves review. I'd like a chance to read Elephant Keeper. Thanks for the giveaway.
    (just became a new follower via GFC)
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

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  25. Hi! Found your blog thru the Got Books? Event!! I am now a follower!

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  26. This really sounds good. Elephants have always fascinated me.

    I subscribe to your blog via google reader.

    Count me in for the giveaway.

    gautami.tripathy[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. This book looks amazing! I would really like to win it.
    New follower.
    Allison
    hyperallison@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. This looks like a great book. I am a new follower!! Please count me in!!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would like to win The Elephant Keeper
    I follow on GFC
    suzquiz
    9oofus(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. This book sounds beautiful Sandra. I love elephants too - I think it is how they act in such a human way with respect to their children and their commumity. People often say I have the memory of an elephant. :)

    It is such a shame I missed this giveaway, especially seeing that it was an international one - oh well, I will put it on my wishlist.

    PS: I have finally got around to adding a Favourite Book Blog list to my site and you are on it.

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  31. It sounds like a heartwarming read.

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  32. I would love to read the book. Enter me if it is also open to international follower =)

    darlyn225 at gmail dot com

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  33. That is a great review! I would love to have a chance to read this one too. Please enter me for the giveaway :)

    givingreadingachance AT gmail.com

    Wow... You have compiled a wonderful list of all your reviews! I would love to do that as well!
    I have posted my comment at - http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/2008/12/recently-read-and-recommended.html

    ReplyDelete

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