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Embracing the Elephant
How far would you go for love?
Undeterred by the most dire warnings, in 1848 eleven-year-old Guinevere Walker embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with her widowed father. From her home in Boston she sails to Rio de Janeiro, around Cape Horn, to the rudimentary town of San Francisco -- ultimately arriving at the California mountain range called the Sierra Nevada, known for both its beauty and brutality.
As Guine and her father struggle to forge a new relationship, they confront the most massive human migration the world has ever known: the California Gold Rush. Hundreds of thousands of fortune hunters from around the globe flood into the burgeoning territory to “See the Elephant” – to experience a great adventure, dig for a golden fortune, face the harshest realities, and search for personal truths.
Embracing the Elephant is a powerful story about one child coming of age at precisely the moment a nation enters its own new age. It is a tale of fierce determination, resilience, discovery, and best of all, hope.
Undeterred by the most dire warnings, in 1848 eleven-year-old Guinevere Walker embarks on a perilous journey to reunite with her widowed father. From her home in Boston she sails to Rio de Janeiro, around Cape Horn, to the rudimentary town of San Francisco -- ultimately arriving at the California mountain range called the Sierra Nevada, known for both its beauty and brutality.
As Guine and her father struggle to forge a new relationship, they confront the most massive human migration the world has ever known: the California Gold Rush. Hundreds of thousands of fortune hunters from around the globe flood into the burgeoning territory to “See the Elephant” – to experience a great adventure, dig for a golden fortune, face the harshest realities, and search for personal truths.
Embracing the Elephant is a powerful story about one child coming of age at precisely the moment a nation enters its own new age. It is a tale of fierce determination, resilience, discovery, and best of all, hope.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
372 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2012
2 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Lori Hart Beninger
4 books8 followersLori Hart Beninger is the author of three critically acclaimed historical novels (Embracing the Elephant , A Veil of Fog and Flames, and A Peculiar Peace). The books follow two 19th century teenagers as they struggle with survival and acceptance in the pivotal era of the California Gold Rush, survive the wilds of early San Francisco, then plunge into the American Civil War.
An Ordinary Tragedy, Lori's first foray into non-fiction, was published in October of 2016 - the true story of her younger brother's tumultuous life as a convicted felon by the age of eighteen.
Although originally from Southern California, for many years Lori has been happy to call the San Francisco Bay her home. She lives there with her husband Matt and a plethora of goofy pets, enjoying the company of diverse and interesting family members and friends. First published in 2012, Lori has nonetheless been writing since the age of 11, always looking for interesting people and circumstances with which to populate her works. She volunteers as a tutor at local grade schools to teach reading (fundamental!) and environmental awareness.
An Ordinary Tragedy, Lori's first foray into non-fiction, was published in October of 2016 - the true story of her younger brother's tumultuous life as a convicted felon by the age of eighteen.
Although originally from Southern California, for many years Lori has been happy to call the San Francisco Bay her home. She lives there with her husband Matt and a plethora of goofy pets, enjoying the company of diverse and interesting family members and friends. First published in 2012, Lori has nonetheless been writing since the age of 11, always looking for interesting people and circumstances with which to populate her works. She volunteers as a tutor at local grade schools to teach reading (fundamental!) and environmental awareness.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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July 30, 2020It’s hard to label EMBRACING THE ELEPHANT a coming-of-age novel, which would limit the scope of the book. It’s filled with historical interest and a little girl’s thoughts, love, friendship and fierce determination; and when they finally set the book down, readers will understand why the title uses the word “embracing.”
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/07/30/a-per...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2020/07/30/a-per...
October 8, 2012
Awesome book
November 6, 2012
This is an amazing book - I highly recommend this for anyone who loves adventure and history.
January 4, 2013
Amazing book ~ I highly recommend it! It is filled with such adventure and history but touched my heart at the same time.
May 16, 2013
Great story...I want more from this new author.
December 18, 2025
Embracing the Elephant is a vivid and compelling historical novel that captures the spirit of adventure, resilience, and discovery during the California Gold Rush. Lori Hart Beninger skillfully follows eleven-year-old Guinevere Walker as she navigates a perilous journey to reunite with her father, facing challenges that test her courage, determination, and heart. The story immerses readers in a pivotal moment in history, combining personal growth with the broader narrative of a nation in transformation.
What makes this book remarkable is its balance of historical authenticity, emotional depth, and narrative tension. Guine’s journey is inspiring and relatable, filled with moments of struggle, triumph, and hope. Beninger’s descriptive writing brings the Gold Rush era to life while exploring themes of family, resilience, and the pursuit of personal truths. This is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and tales of adventure.
What makes this book remarkable is its balance of historical authenticity, emotional depth, and narrative tension. Guine’s journey is inspiring and relatable, filled with moments of struggle, triumph, and hope. Beninger’s descriptive writing brings the Gold Rush era to life while exploring themes of family, resilience, and the pursuit of personal truths. This is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and tales of adventure.
August 3, 2015
As the author, my review would be prejudiced. However, for independent reviews, please see any of these reviews by The Historical Novel Society, ForeWord Reviews or a contributor to Squidoo.
The ForeWord review praises Embracing the Elephant as "...capably written, populated with well-developed characters, and thoroughly researched" as well as "...a journey worth taking." The Squidoo review is more effusive, calling the book "...an inspiring novel of the spirit of California." Best of all is The Historical Novel Society review which praises the writing, the presentation, and the story which has "something for everyone" before closing by highly recommending the book!
Embracing the Elephant in a Historical Finalist for IAN's 2015 Book of the Year Award.
The ForeWord review praises Embracing the Elephant as "...capably written, populated with well-developed characters, and thoroughly researched" as well as "...a journey worth taking." The Squidoo review is more effusive, calling the book "...an inspiring novel of the spirit of California." Best of all is The Historical Novel Society review which praises the writing, the presentation, and the story which has "something for everyone" before closing by highly recommending the book!
Embracing the Elephant in a Historical Finalist for IAN's 2015 Book of the Year Award.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews