Book Review

I just finished the book Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch. As a zoo director, a history buff, and a lover of all things English – you would think I would be drawn into a story about exotic animals that is set in 1850’s England. Actually I was prepared to be disappointed, since I am a bit of a cynic. I have written my own animal novel and I have discovered that the nuances of animal care and the ability to make accurate observations of animal behavior do not come easily. While, I must admit, it took me a while to be fully hooked on Jamrach’s Menagerie I did get well and truly hooked. This is, I believe a remarkable piece of writing.

I was enthralled with the spot-on descriptions of the impressive and diverse collection of animals in Mr. Jamrach the animal dealer’s shop, where young Jaffy Brown “grew light of mind from the gorgeous stench”. Who but an animal person would recognize that stench could be gorgeous?

 Later, at sea, as Jaffy watched a recently harpooned whale die, he declared, “It was then I truly realized a whale is no more a fish than I am.”   “So much strength dies slowly. We watched in awe, wordless. Ten minutes, fifteen, more. As she thrashed, she swam around in an ever dwindling gyre, and I begged her to die”.

 And finally, I couldn't help but be impressed with Jaffy's observations of a recently captured Komodo dragon:

“His piggy little eyes watched me suspiciously, and not a movement more I got for the rest of the day.”

“Those eyes were no more stupid than a rock is stupid. In the worst throes if its madness, those ancient eyes had remained fixed as stars, brightly aware, receiving what befell with the clarity of a sage. All life and death the same, the same pain and feeding and fighting and dying.  All of that was in the depths of the creature’s eyes. All that and all the wildness of his life. No, he was not stupid.” How do you write that unless you have spent time looking into the soul of a Komodo dragon?

 At times lyrical and poetic and at times disturbing and evening repulsive, this is one of the few books on the list of those I wish to read again someday.

Enjoying some good reviews on my Book - The Menagerie: A Zoo Story

 http://www.amazon.com/The-Menagerie-A-Zoo-Story/dp/1470106299/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334850600&sr=1-1

 

This was not what I expected from the title. I like to learn when I read and I expected a lot of zoological information. But there was more to this than just a zoo story. There were background stories and character development weaving through periods of time as well through periods of racial and gender struggles that remind us of the way things were in the not so distant (or pleasant) past. This was a good read for learning about the efforts to build and maintain a zoo and for being immersed in the sorted past of a community effort. (Don on amazon.com, April 11, 2012)

Wonderful read! If you are a fan of zoo's you will enjoy this book. (Beverly on goodreads.com May 26, 2012)

I love a story that starts with the discovery of a dead body. It just pulls you right in, but this book is more than just a mystery. The Menagerie is a “who done it” set amidst the background of a zoo, where the people are not the only ones with personalities. We get to know a little of the behind the scenes in the interesting world of a long established zoological park. Porter makes good use of his zoo experience to bring this story to life. I really enjoyed it. (Karen on goodreads.com, June 9, 2012)

Book ReviewS

By Beverly Shaff, Docent, Seneca Park Zoo

The Menagerie: A Zoo Story

J.D.Porter

Paperback & Kindle Editions

ISBN 9781470106294

Have a love for zoos, ever think about how a zoo becomes a zoo? This is a wonderfully

written story of The Dotson Park Zoo, a fictitious place but a story of one of the great American zoos. Flash back in time to a wrestling bear that kills a man in a bar-fight, a cobra in a baby carriage and chimpanzees and elephants living together in the same exhibit. Two dead bodies discovered, both murdered at the zoo. Fascinating history that gives you a new appreciation for zoos and some of the things that happen to make a zoo succeed!   (Symbiosis, Journal of the Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents, Vol. XXIV No. 3, Jul 2012)