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THE ELEPHANT KEEPER
Fiction (Literary Fiction) 292 pages
Fourth Estate - March 2010
"It was six days ago that Lord Bidborough, accompanied by another gentleman, came to the Elephant House and, after making the usual inquiries about my charge, who was, at that moment, quietly eating hay, asked whether it was true that, as he had heard, I was able to read."
--- A novel of great intelligence, poignancy and originality, about the extraordinary relationship between a female elephant and her keeper, a young stable boy. Set in late 18th century England, it follows them from the Bristol docks to a landed estate in the countryside, and finally, to London. The novel raises questions about sexuality and violence, freedom and captivity, and about the nature of story-telling, but most of all it is the story of an unlikely but wonderful love between a man and an animal - a love which has its costs as well as its rewards.
Biography
Prize-winning radio documentary producer and author of the novel THE FATTEST MAN IN AMERICA (Constable and Robinson). THE ELEPHANT KEEPER was a lead launch title for Mistral in Holland. It's published in the UK by Fourth Estate and the US by Morrow, and also sold in China and Taiwan.
Praise for THE ELEPHANT KEEPER:
'A captivatingly original novel…This is a wonderful feat of story-telling, remarkable for its ability to wrench your heart without resorting to easy sentimentality.' Carla Mckay, Daily Mail
"Christopher Nicholson traces the arc of Tom and Jenny's surprising journey with delicate empathy. He confronts sex, violence and power but he does not shy away from less dramatic themes, such as gentleness and companionship, which help to make THE ELEPHANT KEEPER such a rewarding book." Lucy Dallas, TLS
'Charming and courageous.' Sunday Express
'Like the elephant at its centre, Nicholson's book is gentle, profound and sweet-natured…we find ourselves fascinated by a marriage like no other.' Emma Donoghue, The Observer
Related news
- THE ELEPHANT KEEPER shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award
- THE ELEPHANT KEEPER a hit with US reviewers!
- THE ELEPHANT KEEPER an Indie Next pick in the US
- THE ELEPHANT KEEPER picked as Librarians' Choice at BEA.
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