The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence. The writer, a conservationist has penned down his life adventures with wildlife in his Thula Ghuma game reserve named situated in South Africa.
The plot of the book revolves around the mesmerising experiences of the author with the troubled wild elephants herd on his private game reserve. He has shared his wide interactions ranging from his dreadful encounters with the herd on the first day to the friendly visit by the same herd to his home. His narration tells that his interaction with these giants not only made him empathetic towards wildlife but also more spiritual in his personal life.
As the game reserve also had other wild animals, reptiles etc so he has also expressed his breathtaking interactions with wild boars, rhinos, snakes and crocs etc.
He has also shared his strenuous efforts along with his staff while doing conservation work. Some of these efforts included checking of electrical fences along the reserve regularly, keeping a vigil on poachers, bringing a consensus among the tribal communities for the preservation and saving the forest area from flood and wildfire. He stressed over the fact that his bonding with his wife gave him the emotional strength which boosted him during difficult times.
The story has the capability to keep you glued to the book. The language is simple and the writing style is fascinating. Choice of words to express any action/emotion is appropriate and it doesn't feel that the author wants to be verbose. The use of short chapters throughout the book allows the reader to read at its own pace and enjoy every action of the Thula Thula land. The book has an inherent continuity in the story and that's why it doesn't feel abrupt at any place.
Overall, a very good read and would recommend it to everybody. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you will fall in love with the book and if you are not, you will become one.
"To me, the only good cage is an empty cage."
- Elephant Whisperer
