Customer Reviews

The Elephant and the Kangaroo

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this 1947 black comedy about the Irish, a farmer, his wife, and their English lodger believe they have met with Michael the Archangel and been instructed to build an ark to preserve against an impending flood.

They do so with comical events and consequences. Mostly, the acerbic wit of author T. H. White is in evidence as he ridicules all manner of traditions and beliefs. There in neither elephant nor kangaroo in this story. He refers to the lodger and farm wife as 'he the elephant and she the kangaroo' in explaining their repetitive disagreements about things philosophical. Possibly this refers to some known fable or legend which I have not so far been able to discover.

A funny book but not an elephant book.

Believe it or not, I discovered this book on my own shelf. After reading Once and Future King for the 3rd time, I notice that among my collection of old decorator books was this delightful item. I read it that night. The characters are charming simple minded people you can't help laughing out loud over. I just love how the innocent traveler (and narrator) stumbles into this bizarre episode of Ma and Pa meet the book of Revelations, and becomes as convinced as the rest of his doom. If you can find this book take a moment and enjoy the "boat" ride.

"THERE'S AN ANGEL IN THE CHIMNEY!"

Mrs. O'Callaghan had come up with some pretty farfetched notions; but when she came running to Mr. White with this announcement, he was convinced she'd lost all touch with reality. Yet when the sensible English writer - whose only mistake had been to set up his workshop on the O'Callaghan's rundown Irish farm - ventured into the kitchen to see what had so upset his landlady, he was shocked to discover that the Archangel Michael had come down the chimney and was hovering there, waiting to pass on a message of deep significance: there was going to be a Flood, and it was up to the O'Callaghans and Mr. White to build an Ark just the way Noah had. Well, maybe not exactly the way Noah had. After all, Mr. White didn't have the same kind of help to work with. Still, he'd find a way to manage, and a way to start the world again too - even though he'd always been a confirmed bachelor. He'd do it all - as long as he didn't have to save the elephants and the kangaroos!

The concept of this book was interesting. The Archangel Michael relays the coming of the second flood to Mr. White and his not-so-bright companions. Mr. White sets out to build a 20th century Ark out of an overturned barn.

While there are some good points to this book, they are quickly overshadowed by pages and pages and pages of lists. The author goes on long winded tangents about what items are in a room, and what has been packed into the makeshift Ark. People in one small town, thinking that Mr. White is some kind of savior, attempt to follow him in makeshift boats. A 313 word sentence is used to describe the various people, their appearances, professions, and other stuff I could care less about. By the time I got near the end of this book, I was just ready for it to be over.

If there had been more periods in this book, and less commas, I would have liked it enough to give it 3 stars.