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Elephant Moon
- Narrated by: Helen Johns
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
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Elephant Moon
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Summary
As the Second World War rages, the Japanese Imperial Army enters Burma, and the British rulers prepare to flee.
But the human legacy of the British Empire will be left behind in the shape of 62 Anglo-Burmese children, born to local women after affairs with foreign men.
Half castes, they are not acknowledged by either side, and they are to be abandoned with no one to protect them. Their teacher, Grace Collins, a young Englishwoman, refuses to join the European evacuation and instead sets out to deliver the orphans to the safety of India. She faces impossible odds because between her and India lie 1,000 miles of jungle, mountains, rivers, and the constant, unseen threat of the Japanese.
With Japanese soldiers chasing them down, the group's chances of survival shrink - until they come across a herd of 53 elephants who, with their awesome strength and kindness, quickly become the orphans' only hope of survival.
Based on a true story, Elephant Moon is an unforgettable epic tale of courage and compassion in the midst of brutality and destruction.
John Sweeney is a reporter for BBC Panorama. He has won many journalism awards and is the author of five previous books. Elephant Moon is his first novel.
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Critic reviews
"If you were to relocate Michael Morpurgo's War Horse to Burma in the Second World War, with elephants taking the sentimental role from the horses, you might end up with something like Elephant Moon by John Sweeney. It is a tender and loving tribute to 'Nature's great masterpiece.... The only harmless great thing', as John Donne described the elephant, as well as an insight into one of the forgotten battlegrounds of the war." (Literary Review)
What listeners say about Elephant Moon
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-11-19
Wonderful
A fantastic listen. I loved the reader. I love the descriptions of all the elephants wonderful characters. The only thing not to like is finishing the book. I wantto hear more and more about the elephants I never wanted the story to end!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Shrubington
- 07-05-16
A lovely story
A lovely story read beautifully by Helen Johns. I particularly enjoyed listening to how useful the elephants were and what characters they had.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Isobel Brunt
- 18-06-16
Elephant Moon.
I loved it. Just listened for second time. Good story well read. i recommend it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Granny June
- 28-01-16
Heartwarming
Where does Elephant Moon rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This story was compelling, exciting and heartwarming all at the same time. A great read and one I will return to more than once.
What other book might you compare Elephant Moon to, and why?
The author gives credit to Elephant Bill (still sitting on our bookshelf from 40 odd years ago) which is the true life account of refugees and elephants and more.
Which character – as performed by Helen Johns – was your favourite?
Mother and little Oomi were my favourites - how could you not love the elephants?
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
When Oomi was caught in the flash flood I just had to read on to discover his fate.
Any additional comments?
Although this is fiction, it is based on fact. The elephants' skill and knowledge is well documented as is their close relationship with their handlers. The story put me through a whole range of emotions - much the same as Grace, the heroine, would have had.
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13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Di D
- 08-01-20
Why isn’t this a film
A wonderful story well read For a while it seemed that it was going to be the usual happy end to each problem encountered. But it took a darker and more complex turn.
Loved it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 26-09-20
A tale of determination and faith
I totally enjoyed this book which gives just a glimpse of the hardships that must have been suffered by those trying to escape the Japanese on the Burma to India road. Well written and well read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- julie
- 05-11-16
A subtle courageous novel
Wonderful characterisation of and connectedness between individuals, archetypes and animals. Vivid depiction of a time in history, a landscape the universal challenges between good and evil narrated with the heart and head of a brilliant journalist and gifted storyteller. I had to listen to it in one sitting , I became totally involved.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anchored
- 13-11-20
Elephant Moon ...
This book started well. Intriguing premise. But when we get to Gregory's first real character revelation the story changes abruptly and the rest isn't as believable. Disappointed with the second half.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Granny Banny
- 01-03-21
Engrossing, didn't want it to end.
Beautifully written story and such excellent narration. I must now read more about elephants, look for books narrated by Helen John's and written by John Sweeney.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Victoria Elizabeth
- 13-05-16
Wasn't expecting this!!
Totally immersive reading! The descriptions and the narration made me feel like I was on the incredible journey with them. Took a gamble with this, on the basis that I love elephants and have enjoyed stories based in the Indian subcontinent and Indian culture - this really paid off. It is a great story but made all the more fascinating in the knowledge that it''s premise is based on fact, there were elephant men who helped Burmese escape in the Japanese invasion in WW2.
First novel by John Sweeney and hopefully not his last.
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