- Hardcover: 144 pages
- Publisher: Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited (15 May 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 184697044X
- ISBN-13: 978-1846970443
- Product Dimensions: 20 x 13.2 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 845,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
Everything about this book is delightful and quirky. The construction, content and style, all of it smacks of an artful and intelligent designer, a human one. --The Courier Mail
Andrew Drummond's first two novels...have marked him out as an original and witty writer. 'Elephantina' will enhance his reputation. --The Scotsman
an extraordinary skilful work of fiction...a thoroughly amusing satire of every example of historic pedantry around. --Launceston Examiner
Andrew Drummond's first two novels...have marked him out as an original and witty writer. 'Elephantina' will enhance his reputation. --The Scotsman
an extraordinary skilful work of fiction...a thoroughly amusing satire of every example of historic pedantry around. --Launceston Examiner
Product Description
An elephant sighs forlornly and dies by the side of the road, just outside Dundee: It is April 1706 and discussions are beginning for the proposed Act of Union. Closet Jacobite sympathiser Dr Patrick Blair, an ambitious local surgeon-apothecary, embarks on a mission to become the first man in Britain to dissect an elephant. He employs Gilbert Orum, harassed debtor, surgeon's assistant and skilled copper engraver, to help him. After the dissection, the skeleton is reassembled as the centre-piece for a new 'Hall of Rarities' in the town and Blair writes up his findings for the Royal Society in London, hoping to make his name as a great scientist. Ten years later, however, Blair languishes in a dungeon in London, condemned to death for his participation in the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. Gilbert Orum grasps the opportunity to write his own account of the dissection of the unfortunate elephant.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
Through the journal of one Mr Orum we learn of the truly bizarre (but true) tale of Dr Blair, who in 1702 was the first man in Britain to dissect an elephant. This 'journal' is presented to us by our stalwart editor, a man hopelessly at odds with Mr Orum's slovenly ways and who inserts himself into the story through frequent outraged footnotes.
So what we get is an amusing tale of three men at philosophical odds, two unreliable narrators and one poor elephant. It's a slim volume but the contrasting (yet equally silly) characters that fight over Dr Blair's good name make it a worthwhile read. I am not overly familiar with Scottish history but this didn't detract and whilst its not for the faint of heart it's not at all graphic. Currently its beautiful published in hardback form
So what we get is an amusing tale of three men at philosophical odds, two unreliable narrators and one poor elephant. It's a slim volume but the contrasting (yet equally silly) characters that fight over Dr Blair's good name make it a worthwhile read. I am not overly familiar with Scottish history but this didn't detract and whilst its not for the faint of heart it's not at all graphic. Currently its beautiful published in hardback form
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