Mungai and the Goa Constrictor [Kindle Edition]

Amelia E. Curzon (Author)

Book Description

Wouldn't it be perfect to get everything you want in life without lifting a single finger or claw! Mungai thinks it would!

Mungai, a plausible and resourceful creature of indeterminate origin, and with a penchant for easy living, finds a soul mate in Goa; a lisping, greedy, self-serving  Boa Constrictor. Having explained to her "the usefulness of the lesser species" and his highly profitable master plan to find ways of passing through life without too much cost to himself, as little effort as possible, and at the expense of others not as strong-minded or as clever as he is, Mungai seduces Goa into joining him in his venture. Captivated by Mungai's mind-set, Goa conspires with him to go in search of innocents to implement these designs.

 
Set in a rainforest of an unspecified continent, Mungai and the Goa Constrictor is a tale littered with colourful and enjoyable characters, conspiracies and unlikely friendships between the various species of the animal kingdom. Told through the eyes of animals the narrative explores the predatory world of deception and greed.

 
It is an allegorical tale filled with action, adventure, humour, sadness, deceit, friendship and tolerance, and carries an important missive: Beware of predators in the guise of friends.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Superb Classic! March 16, 2013 By Christine Corretti

From the Author

Why this particular story?  

Amelia Curzon felt strongly enough about certain events to put them into words a child would recognise and enjoy. Amelia had the idea for Mungai and the Goa Constrictor after seeing how many times her own children were fooled into naively attaching themselves to situations and people without realising the potential dangers - trusting without question and following without forethought. For her it was a warning, a way of understanding that if children, and young adults, did not show vigilance or did not appreciate the dangers, they could find themselves gulled into believing things which simply are not true; people do lie and they do mislead, as a result circumstances might arise which may not be beneficial to their wellbeing.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 446 KB
• Print Length: 220 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005H2EHAA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,787 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This Story Had Me Smiling August 27, 2012

By Paulette Mahurin

Format:Kindle Edition

Amelia Curzon's Mungai and the Goa Constrictor was a surprisingly fun read, that
held my attention throughout. Curzon's clever use of animals interspersed with two legs, all the varying shades of personality along the good to evil spectrum among the forest and jungle was a cleverly written story. It has been said that there are but a few fundamental stories repeated over and over again throughout history, and what avoids tedium and boredom is the creativity in the telling, to that Curzon gets credit. The combination of the Goa and Mungai with their two leg counterparts juxtaposed with the other characters and their two leg members create a tension of good and evil, that holds interest, with scene of fermented apple juice, jungle description, fits of laughter, betrayal, human emotions and dialogue in the cast of animal characters, a narcissistic snake, a cult like following, and messages about deforestation and animal abuse, all combine into a sweet read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable May 9, 2012

By Terry R. Hartley

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an enjoyable story that is difficult to classify. The vocabulary places it above the level of a children's' book, except perhaps for very bright kids with very patient parents willing to define words. For young adults and adults the theme is a bit worn: conservation good, rapaciousness bad. What made the story work for me were the characters, who exemplified a broad spectrum of human traits. The story was reasonably rich in human (via animal characters) behaviors ranging from Machiavellianism to altruism. I give it a solid four stars.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Cautionary Tale February 13, 2012

By BookChatterCath

Format:Kindle Edition

This book is aimed predominantly at children and so its not something I would normally read or review.
However, I have to say that I loved it and can not fault the story or the writing at all.

Not since reading Animal Farm as part of my year 7 English class can I recall reading anything from the point of view of animals living in a human like society.
And just like with that book, Mungai and the Goa Constrictor takes you on a journey of intrigue and quite self discovery. To a world that, were it not for the fact that the characters are jungle animals, it could be set in any school, town, business, or city near you.
Where the top dog is always looking for ways to be bigger and better with less effort, by taking more from the less worldly and more gullible underdog.

With great dastardly characters and lovable up risers, and set amongst the glorious, if disappearing backdrop of an undisclosed jungle, Mungai and the Goa Constrictor is a cautionary tale and a must read book for all.

An engaging and subliminally educational 5 Star read.

More About the Author

Having grown up in the Mediterranean and having later lived and worked in various countries, Amelia Curzon eventually settled permanently in the United Kingdom.
She is the mother of two grown children who provide her with much of her inspiration in life. Amelia's interests include horses and all other animals, the environment, reading, and of course writing.
Amelia has been writing short stories and poems since childhood and had created and narrated many stories to her own children in their younger years. Insomuch as her stories have always been about animals it seems only natural her first novel be written for the genres children and teen and contain lots of four legged creatures.