An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

by Simon Reade

An Elephant in the Garden is Simon Reade’s new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling children’s novel.1945. Dresden, Germany. Lizzie, her mother – and an elephant from the zoo, flee the Allied fire-bombing in the end-game of the Second World War.Escaping the Allies’ advance from the West – and also the advancing Russian armies from the East – this extraordinary trio of refugees a downed RAF officer, cowering in a barn; a homeless school choir on the run and their Countess saviour, harbouring them from the Nazis; and the mechanised American cavalry, appearing over the horizon.It is Lizzie’s story – but Marlene, the elephant, is the heroine. Plodding, obdurate, opportunistic, loadbearing, indestructible, cheering – Marlene embodies the stubbornness of the human will and how it will do everything to survive.

Paperback

Reviews

[Cissy Moseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book based on true events during WWII. Very easy read, written for young people but all ages will enjoy the story and love the characters!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story, like you are part of the story.

[Joseph Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vaguely remember this being decent

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read, based on two true stories combined during WWII