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Bad Elephant Far Stream
Bad Elephant Far Stream is an elephant’s life story, told from her own perspective, through her own eyes.
Inspired by the life of a real elephant known as Topsy, it follows Far Stream from her birth and capture in the wild in Ceylon in the late 1860s, through her transportation to America and thirty years with the circus, which ultimately led to her being labeled as “bad.� It’s an unusual and uncompromising novel that explores the questions: What is it like to be an elephant trained for human amusement? What does such a creature think? What does it feel? What does it yearn for?
Bad Elephant Far Stream takes the reader on a voyage of discovery to find out.
Inspired by the life of a real elephant known as Topsy, it follows Far Stream from her birth and capture in the wild in Ceylon in the late 1860s, through her transportation to America and thirty years with the circus, which ultimately led to her being labeled as “bad.� It’s an unusual and uncompromising novel that explores the questions: What is it like to be an elephant trained for human amusement? What does such a creature think? What does it feel? What does it yearn for?
Bad Elephant Far Stream takes the reader on a voyage of discovery to find out.
263 pages, Paperback
Published October 28, 2013
6 people are currently reading
1502 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Hawley
14books140followersSamuel Hawley has BA and MA degrees in history from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and worked in East Asia as a teacher for two decades before becoming a full-time writer. His nonfiction books include The Imjin War, about Japan's 16th-century invasion of Korea and attempted conquest of China; Speed Duel: The Inside Story of the Land Speed Record in the Sixties; Ultimate Speed, the authorized biography of land speed racing legend Craig Breedlove; and The Fight That Started the Movies, the epic story of how the emerging technology of cinema combined with prizefighting to make the world's first feature-length film. His latest book is a novel about Japan in the closing days of WWII, Daikon, hailed by John Grisham as "a breathtaking story of what might have been. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, Daikon is a riveting tale about war, intrigue, love, and perseverance.�
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 20, 2014
A tremendously moving book written with a combination of painstaking research and heart. Hawley is a gifted writer who paints a vivid picture of the life an elephant from her capture to her death. Telling the story from the elephant's perspective is not gimmicky or childish; do not expect a simple book. The writing is clear, compelling and beautifully paced. I both wanted this book to end (to stop the suffering) and not end (to continue peering inside the mind of this amazing creature.) One of the most unusual books I have ever read and one that will stay with me for a long time.
December 4, 2013
Samuel Hawley ŷ Author & member of ALL ABOUT ANIMALS Reading group) "Bad Elephant Far Stream"
This is a meticulously researched and well told story of Circus Elephants in the USA in the late 19th & early 20th centuries. It is based on the true story of Topsy, a circus elephant who became dangerous through abuse and ill treatment, and was executed at Coney Island in 1903. The author has incorporated the real experiences of other circus elephants of the period, into his narrative.
It is a well told and important story, but very upsetting.
It describes the capture of Far Stream and her sister in Sri Lanka; and their shipment, training and the working lives of circus elephants in the USA during this period.
The level of ignorance and brutality shown by "keepers" & "trainers" is shocking. The one lesson they seem to have absorbed from the Asian mahouts, was the idea that young elephants have to be brutally “broken�, through sleep and food deprivation, along with physical abuse. This idea is totally untrue, but remains basic to the training of most domestic elephants in Asia today. It is one of the reasons that the so called domestication and training should end, because in countries such as India, Sri Lanka , Thailand and Burma, there is no effective way of educating and policing mahouts to ensure that their methods do not involve cruelty. The humane training of elephants requires a time commitment and research based level of understanding of elephants needs, which these countries are not able to achieve.
The 19th & early 20th century circus trainers and so called experts had no conception of the family social structure, communication methods and basic biological drives of the elephants, and were operating within a sphere and ignorance and arrogance. They were not even aware of the male musth in elephants, when mature males are driven crazy by their testosterone and urge to mate. This state occurs about once a year, and during it most male elephants call kill or injure their keepers or anyone else approaching them. The circus and zoo staff had no understanding of this, and attributed the behavior to disobedience and the elephant turning bad.
Many trainers and members of the public felt the urge to prove their courage and superiority to the elephant by torturing and provoking it. In case anyone thinks this ignorant mindset is a feature of a bygone age, think again. The elephant which charged into the crowd and killed Andrea Taylor, a teenage British tourist at Nong Nuch Garden near Pattaya in April 2000, was also the victim of this kind of ignorance.
The elephants were being overworked, performing in tourist shows, coupled with the fact that the tourists behind the girl were teasing the elephant with food. The tourists responsible for this provocation were Russian. The elephant charged through to get at the food, and Andrea Taylor was crushed. I would say this was due to the irresponsible and cruel use of elephants in shows, and idiotic behaviour by tourists in the audience.
One of the strengths of the Samuel Hawley’s book is that it avoids a too emotional approach, letting the facts of these elephants� lives speak for themselves. Another strength of the book is the feel for the period described. One actually gets a sense of the language and values of the late 19th century.
Distressing though the subject matter is, I urge people to read this book.
The reviewer has written about his own experience with rescued elephants in Thailand in his book: OF MICE & ZEN. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist.
Available on Amazon (for Kindle) or EPub at:
Free sample chapters on ŷ or the above.
This is a meticulously researched and well told story of Circus Elephants in the USA in the late 19th & early 20th centuries. It is based on the true story of Topsy, a circus elephant who became dangerous through abuse and ill treatment, and was executed at Coney Island in 1903. The author has incorporated the real experiences of other circus elephants of the period, into his narrative.
It is a well told and important story, but very upsetting.
It describes the capture of Far Stream and her sister in Sri Lanka; and their shipment, training and the working lives of circus elephants in the USA during this period.
The level of ignorance and brutality shown by "keepers" & "trainers" is shocking. The one lesson they seem to have absorbed from the Asian mahouts, was the idea that young elephants have to be brutally “broken�, through sleep and food deprivation, along with physical abuse. This idea is totally untrue, but remains basic to the training of most domestic elephants in Asia today. It is one of the reasons that the so called domestication and training should end, because in countries such as India, Sri Lanka , Thailand and Burma, there is no effective way of educating and policing mahouts to ensure that their methods do not involve cruelty. The humane training of elephants requires a time commitment and research based level of understanding of elephants needs, which these countries are not able to achieve.
The 19th & early 20th century circus trainers and so called experts had no conception of the family social structure, communication methods and basic biological drives of the elephants, and were operating within a sphere and ignorance and arrogance. They were not even aware of the male musth in elephants, when mature males are driven crazy by their testosterone and urge to mate. This state occurs about once a year, and during it most male elephants call kill or injure their keepers or anyone else approaching them. The circus and zoo staff had no understanding of this, and attributed the behavior to disobedience and the elephant turning bad.
Many trainers and members of the public felt the urge to prove their courage and superiority to the elephant by torturing and provoking it. In case anyone thinks this ignorant mindset is a feature of a bygone age, think again. The elephant which charged into the crowd and killed Andrea Taylor, a teenage British tourist at Nong Nuch Garden near Pattaya in April 2000, was also the victim of this kind of ignorance.
The elephants were being overworked, performing in tourist shows, coupled with the fact that the tourists behind the girl were teasing the elephant with food. The tourists responsible for this provocation were Russian. The elephant charged through to get at the food, and Andrea Taylor was crushed. I would say this was due to the irresponsible and cruel use of elephants in shows, and idiotic behaviour by tourists in the audience.
One of the strengths of the Samuel Hawley’s book is that it avoids a too emotional approach, letting the facts of these elephants� lives speak for themselves. Another strength of the book is the feel for the period described. One actually gets a sense of the language and values of the late 19th century.
Distressing though the subject matter is, I urge people to read this book.
The reviewer has written about his own experience with rescued elephants in Thailand in his book: OF MICE & ZEN. Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist.
Available on Amazon (for Kindle) or EPub at:
Free sample chapters on ŷ or the above.
May 12, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A difficult book to read, as it does contain descriptions of the brutal treatment of these magnificent animals. This book is very well-researched on the early circus/menagerie days in the United States. Far Stream, captured in Ceylon as a young elephant is transported to America to feature in many venues; after learning her routines she seems to settle down into her lifelong captivity. But the endless mistreatment of captivity takes a toll and she becomes lost in her memories, and understandably violent. Touching and heart-breaking, the various elephants she encounters are lost, piteous and tragic figures; not even shadows of their former selves. A compassionate read.
A difficult book to read, as it does contain descriptions of the brutal treatment of these magnificent animals. This book is very well-researched on the early circus/menagerie days in the United States. Far Stream, captured in Ceylon as a young elephant is transported to America to feature in many venues; after learning her routines she seems to settle down into her lifelong captivity. But the endless mistreatment of captivity takes a toll and she becomes lost in her memories, and understandably violent. Touching and heart-breaking, the various elephants she encounters are lost, piteous and tragic figures; not even shadows of their former selves. A compassionate read.
November 21, 2013
This book has haunted me since I read it. The story of "bad elephant" Far Stream/Topsy is told from her point of view, and what she suffers for the financial benefit of her various owners/lessors/handlers is heart-breaking. Samuel Hawley really displays the magnificent brains, emotional depth (yes, emotional depth), and stunning strength of these amazing creatures, and shines a harsh spotlight on their treatment in the 19th century traveling circus. I have made my husband sit and listen to me tell him the whole story of Topsy, her sister Far Stream, and the various troupe members that made up her "family" in the U.S., after she was ripped from her real family in her youth. Well done.
December 21, 2014
I got this book for free through librarything.com giveaway in Exchange for a review. I give it 2.5 stars.
Okay, so I'll be the bad one to tell that this was far from the best book I have read about wild animals and their poor life in circus and zoo. I admit that the story was well researched and depicted the time quite accurately. At first it even touched some strings of the soul but the further the story went, the more irritated I started to become.
..And I will say nothing about an elephant being a narrator of the story.. Okay, may be just that it didn't work for me at all; didn't seem real. And if you can't percieve something as real, how can you feel for it? But it was just half of the trouble.
The main problem for me was that everything was depicted like being just Black of white. I can understand that the life of the circus animals at that time was horrible but saying that there were no ray of light in those lifes seems like a bit too exagregated. Saying that all human beings are bad, no good actions frome them at all, none, nada - seems like a lie to me. Saying that the life of those animals were constant, non-stop beating and murdering is too much. It felt at times that the author's main point was to depict horrible acts of beating, poking, bleeding, dying without further purpose.
But the main problem with this book was that it seems that the author had gathered all the bad acts what had happened to many of the circus elephants and then presented it like being just one elephant's life suggesting that that's what being a circus animal means. No, it doesn't. If it was true, then you could gather all bad things that happens to people, to humanity and say that that's what being a human means. No. It doesn't. There are ups and downs, Happiness and sadness, sunshine and rain. It all blended together makes a life, not just a dark side.
My conclusion is that this is one sided Green peace activist book. But if you will read it critically you may find some beautiful things in there.
Okay, so I'll be the bad one to tell that this was far from the best book I have read about wild animals and their poor life in circus and zoo. I admit that the story was well researched and depicted the time quite accurately. At first it even touched some strings of the soul but the further the story went, the more irritated I started to become.
..And I will say nothing about an elephant being a narrator of the story.. Okay, may be just that it didn't work for me at all; didn't seem real. And if you can't percieve something as real, how can you feel for it? But it was just half of the trouble.
The main problem for me was that everything was depicted like being just Black of white. I can understand that the life of the circus animals at that time was horrible but saying that there were no ray of light in those lifes seems like a bit too exagregated. Saying that all human beings are bad, no good actions frome them at all, none, nada - seems like a lie to me. Saying that the life of those animals were constant, non-stop beating and murdering is too much. It felt at times that the author's main point was to depict horrible acts of beating, poking, bleeding, dying without further purpose.
But the main problem with this book was that it seems that the author had gathered all the bad acts what had happened to many of the circus elephants and then presented it like being just one elephant's life suggesting that that's what being a circus animal means. No, it doesn't. If it was true, then you could gather all bad things that happens to people, to humanity and say that that's what being a human means. No. It doesn't. There are ups and downs, Happiness and sadness, sunshine and rain. It all blended together makes a life, not just a dark side.
My conclusion is that this is one sided Green peace activist book. But if you will read it critically you may find some beautiful things in there.
February 18, 2014
This extremely well written novel really makes you stop and think. It was very well researched and put together, leading to a seamless whole. It is simultaneously haunting and enchanting, leading you through the life of this remarkable elephant. Hawley broke my heart with the prologue and I spent the entire novel with my heart on my sleeve. His low key descriptions paint this world infront of the audience, allowing them to immerse themselves fully into the tale. The characters in this tale were developed in a natural manner that really helped to carry the story forward. It was also very unique to read this story from Far Stream’s POV. Hawley manages to do this in a very realistic yet emotionally engaging manner.
As a whole this historically significant novel is one that will stick with me for a long while. It’s a must read for those who enjoy the genre.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
As a whole this historically significant novel is one that will stick with me for a long while. It’s a must read for those who enjoy the genre.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2013
The story of Topsy the elephant may not be a happy one, but it is extremely well told.
Written from her perspective, Samuel does a great job of showing us the world from her eyes and limited understanding. From her birth in the forests, to her capture and transport to the cities, to life as a trained performer in the 19th century circus circuit, the one constant is that our species displays a stunning lack of compassion.
Several times, I thought of how the Ringling Brothers-style of circus has fallen out of favor, replaced by Cirque Du Soliel. Seems like a good improvement.
For a close look at what that world looked like, in the age where electricity was still a wonder, give this a try.
Written from her perspective, Samuel does a great job of showing us the world from her eyes and limited understanding. From her birth in the forests, to her capture and transport to the cities, to life as a trained performer in the 19th century circus circuit, the one constant is that our species displays a stunning lack of compassion.
Several times, I thought of how the Ringling Brothers-style of circus has fallen out of favor, replaced by Cirque Du Soliel. Seems like a good improvement.
For a close look at what that world looked like, in the age where electricity was still a wonder, give this a try.
July 9, 2015
I thought this would a refreshing book on elephants. This book was rather depressing. It chronicled an elephant from captivity in Ceylon and transported by boat to the United States. She went into the circus and badly mistreated. She was retired to Coney Island and then killed because she did not adapt. Truly sad!
July 9, 2019
Exceptionally well researched historical fiction from the perspective of the elephant. Also, the intelligence, emotional, emotional capacity, and familial relationships of the elephants are directly informed by the scientific knowledge base and hypotheses about elephants available at the time of writing. There is very little content that I would describe as 'anthropomorphizing; and what little there is, is limited to minimal, brief forays into the possible spiritual aspects of death and life for elephants. I'm agnostic and found this content unnecessary. Though other reviews describe this, for those readers who are spiritual, as an additional way to emotionally connect to the elephants.
This was a very emotional read, especially as I study elephants. But I found the perspective shift remarkably refreshing and have reread it several times.
This was a very emotional read, especially as I study elephants. But I found the perspective shift remarkably refreshing and have reread it several times.
March 20, 2018
This story is based on the true life of Topsy, an elephant who was captured as a baby and spent her life in the circus. If you are an animal lover, this book may rip your heart out as it describes the horrors and abuses circus elephants encountered on a daily basis. The book is very well researched and well written. It is told from the elephant's point of view which makes it extra special. It is hard for me to understand how man can be so cruel. Even today, we have a president's son who shot an elephant just to get its tail. Cruelty must stop! I received an e-book copy for free through ŷ first Reads.
August 20, 2017
This was tremendously difficult to read, as my heart broke for Far Stream and all of the other elephants currently being tortured in circuses around America. But this is a book that everyone needs to read, especially before buying tickets to a circus with elephants in it. I've always been passionate about elephants and circus elephants, but this book brought me to a whole new level of understanding. I'm so glad that this book was finally written, as people need to know what happens to these elephants just so that they can entertain us.
December 17, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from the author via LibraryThing Members Giveaway program.
It was a bit difficult for me to read this book as it is a moving, sad story and is told from Far Stream's perspective with her limited understanding. Anyway, that makes the story vivid and gives us a bit of how an elephant views the world, and how every parting, sacrifice, and reunion stirs her emotion.
Although I found it rather difficult to keep track of time in the story, I found this well-researched novel satisfying. An enjoyable sad read.
It was a bit difficult for me to read this book as it is a moving, sad story and is told from Far Stream's perspective with her limited understanding. Anyway, that makes the story vivid and gives us a bit of how an elephant views the world, and how every parting, sacrifice, and reunion stirs her emotion.
Although I found it rather difficult to keep track of time in the story, I found this well-researched novel satisfying. An enjoyable sad read.
March 30, 2018
The opening chapter clearly demonstrates the stupid inhumanity of man. What follows is little better, and indicts the not only those who stole elephants and other animals from their homes and family but also the populace who encouraged and demanded that the practice continue for their own entertainment. The largest part of the book is told from the animal's perspective and should make every reader disgusted and angry.
I won a free ebook courtesy of a ŷ Giveaway.
I won a free ebook courtesy of a ŷ Giveaway.
August 7, 2017
This book was recommended to me, on my Amazon prime account. It is the story of an elephant captured, trained and then discarded in the late 1800s in the early 1900s. It's told from the elephants point of view. I don't want to give too much away, but I cried at the end.
March 17, 2018
Stunning, absolutely stunning, is this unusual work of fiction (or intuitive truth) about the life of a circus elephant. I received this book from ŷ.
April 27, 2018
🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘
Awesome book but sad😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 would recommend it to friends......... Will never go to circus and less they have no animals
Awesome book but sad😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 would recommend it to friends......... Will never go to circus and less they have no animals
November 25, 2020
This book was very difficult to read. How humans have treated these majestic animals is disgusting. My heart broke for poor Topsy. It's a great story and very well written. It just breaks my heart.
December 6, 2014
This is a well-researched and written piece of historic fiction that eloquently depicts the minds of elephants as similar to and yet different from those of humans.
The book opens with a scene of a so-called bad elephant about to be executed. The humans state they are doing so humanely and nothing can be done because the elephant has gone rogue and killed too many humans. The book then flashes back to see the elephant’s life from the elephant’s perspective, leaving it up to the reader to determine if the elephant is actually bad. The humans calls her Topsy, but her elephant name is actually Far Stream. What follows in the flashback is a delicately handled and clearly exquisitely researched tale of the life of a circus elephant in the late 1800s in the US.
From the beginning, the author makes it clear that elephants are intelligent, with lives, families, and emotions of their own. Quite a bit of this is backed up by science, such as elephants crying and also mourning dead members of the herd. There are also those who think that elephants might communicate via sign language and/or telepathically, and the book fully embraces both ideas. What results in telling this tale from the elephant’s perspective is a scene of one intelligent species enslaved by another that is heartbreaking to read. What really makes the story work, though, is that the author strikes the perfect balance between showing the horror of being a circus elephant and also not fully demonizing humans. There are good humans (trainers and non-trainers) who love the elephants and treat them well but simply do not understand that elephants are more intelligent and have a richer emotional life than they give them credit for and by simply keeping them away from the roaming herd life they were made for they are hurting them.
Everything about the circus in the late 1800s in the US was clearly thoroughly researched by the author. The historic setting and ways of life flow smoothly and fit perfectly within the plot. They are presented simply as reality without any unfortunate modern commentary or forcing of unnaturally modern ideas into the plot. Reading this book truly transported me back in time, and it was fascinating and enjoyable, as well as heartbreaking.
Although the reader knows from the beginning that Far Stream will be executed, how she gets there is still a mystery and is handled delicately enough that the plot has momentum.
The one bit that didn’t really work for me is how the book presents what appears to be elephant spirituality. There is one scene where Far Stream and another elephant appear to hallucinate, and it is never entirely clear what actually happened. Similarly the ending goes to an odd spiritual place that just left me confused, rather than in the strong emotional state I was in the moments immediately prior to this. I found the elephant spirituality bits to be a touch confusing that lessened the emotional strength of the rest of the book, which came across much more matter-of-fact. Some readers may enjoy and relate to the spiritual aspect more than I did, however.
Overall, this is a piece of thoroughly researched historic fiction with a smooth moving plot and an empathetic, well-rounded main character. It clearly demonstrates how animals humans once thought were less intelligent and less emotional than we now know them to be came to be mistreated, setting up a precedent for that mistreatment that to some extent continues to this day. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy historic fiction and animal main characters.
Check out my .
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The book opens with a scene of a so-called bad elephant about to be executed. The humans state they are doing so humanely and nothing can be done because the elephant has gone rogue and killed too many humans. The book then flashes back to see the elephant’s life from the elephant’s perspective, leaving it up to the reader to determine if the elephant is actually bad. The humans calls her Topsy, but her elephant name is actually Far Stream. What follows in the flashback is a delicately handled and clearly exquisitely researched tale of the life of a circus elephant in the late 1800s in the US.
From the beginning, the author makes it clear that elephants are intelligent, with lives, families, and emotions of their own. Quite a bit of this is backed up by science, such as elephants crying and also mourning dead members of the herd. There are also those who think that elephants might communicate via sign language and/or telepathically, and the book fully embraces both ideas. What results in telling this tale from the elephant’s perspective is a scene of one intelligent species enslaved by another that is heartbreaking to read. What really makes the story work, though, is that the author strikes the perfect balance between showing the horror of being a circus elephant and also not fully demonizing humans. There are good humans (trainers and non-trainers) who love the elephants and treat them well but simply do not understand that elephants are more intelligent and have a richer emotional life than they give them credit for and by simply keeping them away from the roaming herd life they were made for they are hurting them.
Everything about the circus in the late 1800s in the US was clearly thoroughly researched by the author. The historic setting and ways of life flow smoothly and fit perfectly within the plot. They are presented simply as reality without any unfortunate modern commentary or forcing of unnaturally modern ideas into the plot. Reading this book truly transported me back in time, and it was fascinating and enjoyable, as well as heartbreaking.
Although the reader knows from the beginning that Far Stream will be executed, how she gets there is still a mystery and is handled delicately enough that the plot has momentum.
The one bit that didn’t really work for me is how the book presents what appears to be elephant spirituality. There is one scene where Far Stream and another elephant appear to hallucinate, and it is never entirely clear what actually happened. Similarly the ending goes to an odd spiritual place that just left me confused, rather than in the strong emotional state I was in the moments immediately prior to this. I found the elephant spirituality bits to be a touch confusing that lessened the emotional strength of the rest of the book, which came across much more matter-of-fact. Some readers may enjoy and relate to the spiritual aspect more than I did, however.
Overall, this is a piece of thoroughly researched historic fiction with a smooth moving plot and an empathetic, well-rounded main character. It clearly demonstrates how animals humans once thought were less intelligent and less emotional than we now know them to be came to be mistreated, setting up a precedent for that mistreatment that to some extent continues to this day. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy historic fiction and animal main characters.
Check out my .
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 15, 2013
It's the around the 1860s and in the Ceylon forests, a baby elephant known as Far Stream is playing with her siblings. With a foreboding sense, her grandmother tries to steer the herd away from danger. But before they know it, they are trapped. Man and his fire have penned them in the place they call home.
Now captured, Far Stream and her sister Red Moon along with another family of elephants are on a voyage to a new land. Chained and feeling seasick, Far Stream wonders what is happening, where are they going? After several months, they land in America and Far Stream is separated from her sister. Confusion settles in as she is led away to lead a new life. Joining the Adam Forepaugh Circus in Philadelphia Far Stream is cajoled, prodded and subject to intense training.
Known as Baby Annie the young pachyderm embarks on her new career in entertainment with resignation. For thirty years she travels around North America performing as part of a dance troupe at the mercy of her trainer's temperaments. As she grows, she no longer can be called Baby Annie and becomes Topsy. The arduous journey she makes from town to town is tolerated when she reunites with her sister Red Moon. Together they make imaginary journey's to warmer climes where the food is plentiful and they can frolic in cooling waters.
However, there are times when Far Stream is forced to be back in real time. And when she out weighs 'her keepers by a factor of forty', it won't be long before she is feared and then her reputation is that of a dangerous animal. What is Far Stream's fate? And how long can she withstand her mistreatment at the hands of man.
Told through the eyes of Far Stream, the story of life in the circus is revealed. The long hours, daily training, the tiring journey's through rain and snow. Is it any wonder after prodding with bull hooks and teasing from a curious audience that something snaps? Hawley's novel explores the world of circus elephants in an intriguing and haunting way. The author's writing style and language moves the story along without inhibiting Far Stream's 'voice' and whilst many people are met, the main character is always the elephant.
The opening chapter is a warning of how this book will end and was therefore read with some trepidation. It was certainly an experience to read from an elephant's point of view, which made the story all the more poignant. The treatment of Far Stream by her keepers is confusing to her yet as a human it was easy to understand (but not condone) why they acted the way they did. A story based on some historical factual information which makes it all the more moving and thought-provoking. Seeing the world through an elephants eyes was just amazing. Hawley has seemingly captured the range of emotions and expressions to create this intense and emotional novel so real. A highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.
Now captured, Far Stream and her sister Red Moon along with another family of elephants are on a voyage to a new land. Chained and feeling seasick, Far Stream wonders what is happening, where are they going? After several months, they land in America and Far Stream is separated from her sister. Confusion settles in as she is led away to lead a new life. Joining the Adam Forepaugh Circus in Philadelphia Far Stream is cajoled, prodded and subject to intense training.
Known as Baby Annie the young pachyderm embarks on her new career in entertainment with resignation. For thirty years she travels around North America performing as part of a dance troupe at the mercy of her trainer's temperaments. As she grows, she no longer can be called Baby Annie and becomes Topsy. The arduous journey she makes from town to town is tolerated when she reunites with her sister Red Moon. Together they make imaginary journey's to warmer climes where the food is plentiful and they can frolic in cooling waters.
However, there are times when Far Stream is forced to be back in real time. And when she out weighs 'her keepers by a factor of forty', it won't be long before she is feared and then her reputation is that of a dangerous animal. What is Far Stream's fate? And how long can she withstand her mistreatment at the hands of man.
Told through the eyes of Far Stream, the story of life in the circus is revealed. The long hours, daily training, the tiring journey's through rain and snow. Is it any wonder after prodding with bull hooks and teasing from a curious audience that something snaps? Hawley's novel explores the world of circus elephants in an intriguing and haunting way. The author's writing style and language moves the story along without inhibiting Far Stream's 'voice' and whilst many people are met, the main character is always the elephant.
The opening chapter is a warning of how this book will end and was therefore read with some trepidation. It was certainly an experience to read from an elephant's point of view, which made the story all the more poignant. The treatment of Far Stream by her keepers is confusing to her yet as a human it was easy to understand (but not condone) why they acted the way they did. A story based on some historical factual information which makes it all the more moving and thought-provoking. Seeing the world through an elephants eyes was just amazing. Hawley has seemingly captured the range of emotions and expressions to create this intense and emotional novel so real. A highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.
December 24, 2013
Luna Park on Coney Island is the elite amusement park in NY. Not yet open at 1:00 PM the unveiling of Topsy the elephant was scheduled.
Elephants: Grandmother, Mother, Fear Wind, elder sister Red Moon, Darkness at Day, Far Stream, Sinkhole, Into the Mountains, Lightning, Man’s World’s son, Seven Were Taken, gave birth to Flowers for Lightning,
Men had set fire to the area & were going to capture some of the wild elephants. They had tame elephants. Found the Salt is the Grandmother, Long Way Down is the Mother, Far Stream (narrator) & older sister Red Moon & Fear Wind, were captured. Sinkhole charged the men but was later killed. Muni fed them. Man’s World, Seven Were Taken, Flowers for Lightning, & Darkness at Day managed to escape.
Set in 1871, Captain Sahib was the 1st. buyer. Captain Anthony Smalley of the Nehemiah Gibson was another buyer. 12 elephants were aboard his ship on their way to NY from Ceylon & Colombo. Other elephants aboard are; Three Times Falling, Earth Moves, & Lone Tree Mountain. Upon arrival in the US they were housed in a warehouse on the 13th St. pier in Hoboken, NJ. George Forepaugh elephant handler was yet another buyer. His brother Adam Forepaugh owned Zoological Aggregation, Museum & Circus. He had bought it from John Pogey O’Brien. The son was Adam Forepaugh Jr. Eph (Ephraim Parker) took Far Stream (Baby Annie) & put it on a boxcar. Romeo was paraded around in the circus ring, next was Far Stream (Baby Annie). The next circus show was in Hamilton, Ohio, & numerous towns after that. Romeo an elephant was going to be killed because it killed 5 men. He had been terribly mistreated. Romeo Jr. took its place.
What will Far Stream (Baby Annie) & Romeo Jr. have to endure for the rest of their lives? To sum this book up its the life of elephant(s) (medical/psychological demeanor, zoo’s, circus performances, parades) & the PPL (owners, trainers, handlers) that are involved with them, even a little US history (1871-1908).
Now a days Elephants for the most part are very docile, remarkable creatures. I am not overly fond of the hunting (tusks; ivory) of them, but I used to be an avid bird hunter. I have ridden them at county fairs when I was young & seen plenty of them in zoos. My 2 beautiful granddaughters love to go to their local zoo with G/P Tony in the summer. They have ridden elephants & of course their favorite are monkeys of all types.
Awesome book cover. How exciting it would have been in this era to see these exciting creatures perform. What a wonderful, wonderful story this was. It flowed from start to finish. No grammar errors or out of story line sequence. This would make a great teen movie. Easy 5 stars from me.
Thank you for the free book
Tony Parsons MSW
Elephants: Grandmother, Mother, Fear Wind, elder sister Red Moon, Darkness at Day, Far Stream, Sinkhole, Into the Mountains, Lightning, Man’s World’s son, Seven Were Taken, gave birth to Flowers for Lightning,
Men had set fire to the area & were going to capture some of the wild elephants. They had tame elephants. Found the Salt is the Grandmother, Long Way Down is the Mother, Far Stream (narrator) & older sister Red Moon & Fear Wind, were captured. Sinkhole charged the men but was later killed. Muni fed them. Man’s World, Seven Were Taken, Flowers for Lightning, & Darkness at Day managed to escape.
Set in 1871, Captain Sahib was the 1st. buyer. Captain Anthony Smalley of the Nehemiah Gibson was another buyer. 12 elephants were aboard his ship on their way to NY from Ceylon & Colombo. Other elephants aboard are; Three Times Falling, Earth Moves, & Lone Tree Mountain. Upon arrival in the US they were housed in a warehouse on the 13th St. pier in Hoboken, NJ. George Forepaugh elephant handler was yet another buyer. His brother Adam Forepaugh owned Zoological Aggregation, Museum & Circus. He had bought it from John Pogey O’Brien. The son was Adam Forepaugh Jr. Eph (Ephraim Parker) took Far Stream (Baby Annie) & put it on a boxcar. Romeo was paraded around in the circus ring, next was Far Stream (Baby Annie). The next circus show was in Hamilton, Ohio, & numerous towns after that. Romeo an elephant was going to be killed because it killed 5 men. He had been terribly mistreated. Romeo Jr. took its place.
What will Far Stream (Baby Annie) & Romeo Jr. have to endure for the rest of their lives? To sum this book up its the life of elephant(s) (medical/psychological demeanor, zoo’s, circus performances, parades) & the PPL (owners, trainers, handlers) that are involved with them, even a little US history (1871-1908).
Now a days Elephants for the most part are very docile, remarkable creatures. I am not overly fond of the hunting (tusks; ivory) of them, but I used to be an avid bird hunter. I have ridden them at county fairs when I was young & seen plenty of them in zoos. My 2 beautiful granddaughters love to go to their local zoo with G/P Tony in the summer. They have ridden elephants & of course their favorite are monkeys of all types.
Awesome book cover. How exciting it would have been in this era to see these exciting creatures perform. What a wonderful, wonderful story this was. It flowed from start to finish. No grammar errors or out of story line sequence. This would make a great teen movie. Easy 5 stars from me.
Thank you for the free book
Tony Parsons MSW
June 7, 2014
When you think of realistic fiction you probably don't think of the protagonist as being an elephant. But it was an elephant in this book. Based off of the real life circus elephant Topsy, Far Stream has a long sad story that shows much about how the circus industry was a hundred years ago.
Topsy was born Far Stream and at a very early age was captured and shipped across the seas to America where she was separated from what remaining family she had left and sold into the circus industry. Throughout her life she is passed around to different shows, either by selling or because the circus itself was sold and she encounters other elephants. Nothing remains constant in her life except the cruelty used to keep elephants in line when they don't behave and like most other elephants, Topsy grew tired of the constant abuse and started to turn "bad" and to what humans considered dangerous.
Topsy is a likable protagonist. You actually feel bad for her plight and the things she was forced to do. I'm sure more than a few people will be put off from the circus when they read this book even though it is hoped that more humane practices of animal care are followed today. Her connections to the other elephants were interesting, especially her sister Red Stream. And it shows that animals are capable of affection too, not just humans, and that they experience a range of emotions as well. The humans in this story I didn't really care for. Sure there were a few good ones, but that was just relative in terms of the bad ones. I found it hard to believe that there wasn't one person who didn't subscribe to treating the animals well no matter how they were behaving.
I've read other books about circus elephants and other books with the elephant as a protagonist, but never a book that combined the two. I think it was an interesting way to present the story. The pace flowed nicely and I found myself having a hard time putting down the book as I wanted to find out what would happen next. Topsy's story was just that engrossing. Since it is based on the real life Topsy there are a lot of true facts in this book as well, although the author admits that he borrowed from other elephant's stories to give Topsy a complete history. Which is why this is a fiction book, and not a history book. But it's still very informative on the subject.
This is a good book for animal lovers (although parts will make you sad) and very nicely written. I would definitely recommend this to people interesting in either the circus or elephants.
**This book was received as a Free Advanced Review Copy**
Bad Elephant Far Stream
Copyright 2013
263 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at
Topsy was born Far Stream and at a very early age was captured and shipped across the seas to America where she was separated from what remaining family she had left and sold into the circus industry. Throughout her life she is passed around to different shows, either by selling or because the circus itself was sold and she encounters other elephants. Nothing remains constant in her life except the cruelty used to keep elephants in line when they don't behave and like most other elephants, Topsy grew tired of the constant abuse and started to turn "bad" and to what humans considered dangerous.
Topsy is a likable protagonist. You actually feel bad for her plight and the things she was forced to do. I'm sure more than a few people will be put off from the circus when they read this book even though it is hoped that more humane practices of animal care are followed today. Her connections to the other elephants were interesting, especially her sister Red Stream. And it shows that animals are capable of affection too, not just humans, and that they experience a range of emotions as well. The humans in this story I didn't really care for. Sure there were a few good ones, but that was just relative in terms of the bad ones. I found it hard to believe that there wasn't one person who didn't subscribe to treating the animals well no matter how they were behaving.
I've read other books about circus elephants and other books with the elephant as a protagonist, but never a book that combined the two. I think it was an interesting way to present the story. The pace flowed nicely and I found myself having a hard time putting down the book as I wanted to find out what would happen next. Topsy's story was just that engrossing. Since it is based on the real life Topsy there are a lot of true facts in this book as well, although the author admits that he borrowed from other elephant's stories to give Topsy a complete history. Which is why this is a fiction book, and not a history book. But it's still very informative on the subject.
This is a good book for animal lovers (although parts will make you sad) and very nicely written. I would definitely recommend this to people interesting in either the circus or elephants.
**This book was received as a Free Advanced Review Copy**
Bad Elephant Far Stream
Copyright 2013
263 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2014
More of my reviews can be found at
April 22, 2014
Memories and Dreams, Friends and Enemies.
This is the odyssey of Far Stream, an Asian elephant caught between two different worlds: her elephant family's jungle home in Ceylon and the urban "jungle" of 19th century America as part of a traveling circus. Author Samuel Hawley has several books under his belt but this is his first novel and it's a good one. The story follows Far Stream's life, as seen through her eyes, from early babyhood and her capture by native elephant hunters, her harrowing sea voyage into the unknown world of man and her days with a turn of the century animal show/circus. Hawley explores the hidden "culture" of elephants, their love of family and how they communicate with one another on a level unknown to man. Is it true that an elephant never forgets? In the story Far Stream is sometimes troubled by dreams and memories of her past, at times she can almost hear Grandmother calling to her "Follow me!". Current research on elephant behavior seems to support the ideas that elephants do remember the events and other individual elephants in their lives. They also seem to communicate with on another through low-frequency "infrasound" but just how detailed that sound is or if it constitutes a language is open to debate. In Bad Elephant Far Stream the elephant characters do "talk" to one another, have a sense of humor, even a religion of sorts and, most importantly, they are "self aware". Far Stream progresses from a innocent baby to a troubled adult with a growing sense that something's wrong in her life. She and her sister often journey, in their minds, to a forest paradise, untouched by man, where her family seems to always be just out of sight. The humans in Far Stream's life are as varied as the elephants are, some good, some bad. But, good or bad their effect on the elephants is profound. Hawley's writing is engaging and entertaining as he takes you through the trials and tribulations of Far Stream's life, skating on the edge of real life and fantasy in a plausible, readable way. When reading this type of fiction it's important to accept what ever premise the author makes for the sake of the story. As long as the author does not violate that premise within the confines of the story it's ok. As for me I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will add it my list of favorite animal stories.
Last Ranger
This is the odyssey of Far Stream, an Asian elephant caught between two different worlds: her elephant family's jungle home in Ceylon and the urban "jungle" of 19th century America as part of a traveling circus. Author Samuel Hawley has several books under his belt but this is his first novel and it's a good one. The story follows Far Stream's life, as seen through her eyes, from early babyhood and her capture by native elephant hunters, her harrowing sea voyage into the unknown world of man and her days with a turn of the century animal show/circus. Hawley explores the hidden "culture" of elephants, their love of family and how they communicate with one another on a level unknown to man. Is it true that an elephant never forgets? In the story Far Stream is sometimes troubled by dreams and memories of her past, at times she can almost hear Grandmother calling to her "Follow me!". Current research on elephant behavior seems to support the ideas that elephants do remember the events and other individual elephants in their lives. They also seem to communicate with on another through low-frequency "infrasound" but just how detailed that sound is or if it constitutes a language is open to debate. In Bad Elephant Far Stream the elephant characters do "talk" to one another, have a sense of humor, even a religion of sorts and, most importantly, they are "self aware". Far Stream progresses from a innocent baby to a troubled adult with a growing sense that something's wrong in her life. She and her sister often journey, in their minds, to a forest paradise, untouched by man, where her family seems to always be just out of sight. The humans in Far Stream's life are as varied as the elephants are, some good, some bad. But, good or bad their effect on the elephants is profound. Hawley's writing is engaging and entertaining as he takes you through the trials and tribulations of Far Stream's life, skating on the edge of real life and fantasy in a plausible, readable way. When reading this type of fiction it's important to accept what ever premise the author makes for the sake of the story. As long as the author does not violate that premise within the confines of the story it's ok. As for me I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will add it my list of favorite animal stories.
Last Ranger
July 6, 2014
‘She was born in the year Grandmother led them to the place beyond the far stream�
At some time in the 1860s, in the forests of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), a baby elephant known by her family as Far Stream is playing with her siblings. Her grandmother senses danger, but the herd is trapped, by men using fire. Far Stream and her sister Red Moon, together with another family of elephants, are chained and sent on a long voyage. Some months later, they land in America, Far Stream is separated from her sister, and led away to join the Adam Forepaugh Circus in Pennsylvania. Initially called Baby Annie and subjected to intense training, Far Stream becomes part of a troupe of performing elephants travelling around North America. As she grows, her name is changed, but her journey becomes more tolerable when she is reunited with her sister Red Moon. Together, in their consciousness, they are able to escape the rigours of circus life for safer, warmer places where the food is plentiful and they can frolic in the water.
‘She had been Rosalind at Council Bluffs, Ophelia at St Paul, Hamlet at Fargo. It didn’t matter.�
But as Far Stream grows and confinement becomes unbearable, she is less tractable and becomes feared. How long will she be able to tolerate her mistreatment? What happens to Far Stream that causes her to become Topsy, the subject of Thomas Edison’s 1903 film: ‘The Electrocution of an Elephant? (Yes, a video is available on Youtube for those who wish to see it.)
We know, from the prologue, how this story will end. What we glean, from reading the story, is one perspective of why. This is Samuel Hawley’s imaginative and sensitive telling of the story of Topsy. As Topsy, or Annie, or Rosalind, or Hamlet, the elephant is a badly treated and ultimately doomed creature. As Far Stream, she is a sentient creature trying to make sense of an appalling set of circumstances, trying to fit in and to do what is required of her when (and while) she can. As Far Stream, she can try to endure and escape, as Topsy she must comply or be punished.
The story of life in the circus through the eyes of Far Stream involves long hours of training, tiring journeys and a lot of hardship. It is brilliantly told and unbearably sad. It’s well worth reading.
Note: I was offered and accepted a copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
At some time in the 1860s, in the forests of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), a baby elephant known by her family as Far Stream is playing with her siblings. Her grandmother senses danger, but the herd is trapped, by men using fire. Far Stream and her sister Red Moon, together with another family of elephants, are chained and sent on a long voyage. Some months later, they land in America, Far Stream is separated from her sister, and led away to join the Adam Forepaugh Circus in Pennsylvania. Initially called Baby Annie and subjected to intense training, Far Stream becomes part of a troupe of performing elephants travelling around North America. As she grows, her name is changed, but her journey becomes more tolerable when she is reunited with her sister Red Moon. Together, in their consciousness, they are able to escape the rigours of circus life for safer, warmer places where the food is plentiful and they can frolic in the water.
‘She had been Rosalind at Council Bluffs, Ophelia at St Paul, Hamlet at Fargo. It didn’t matter.�
But as Far Stream grows and confinement becomes unbearable, she is less tractable and becomes feared. How long will she be able to tolerate her mistreatment? What happens to Far Stream that causes her to become Topsy, the subject of Thomas Edison’s 1903 film: ‘The Electrocution of an Elephant? (Yes, a video is available on Youtube for those who wish to see it.)
We know, from the prologue, how this story will end. What we glean, from reading the story, is one perspective of why. This is Samuel Hawley’s imaginative and sensitive telling of the story of Topsy. As Topsy, or Annie, or Rosalind, or Hamlet, the elephant is a badly treated and ultimately doomed creature. As Far Stream, she is a sentient creature trying to make sense of an appalling set of circumstances, trying to fit in and to do what is required of her when (and while) she can. As Far Stream, she can try to endure and escape, as Topsy she must comply or be punished.
The story of life in the circus through the eyes of Far Stream involves long hours of training, tiring journeys and a lot of hardship. It is brilliantly told and unbearably sad. It’s well worth reading.
Note: I was offered and accepted a copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
February 28, 2018
So happy this book exists. A heartbreaking tale about the difficult life of a circus elephant stolen from her home at a young age. This is the reality for circus animals and it needs to stop. Very happy people are beginning to see the cruelty of the industry.
December 26, 2013
I received the book from the author for an honest review.
This book was well researched, well written and compelling. It is gripping, heart felt, and filled with compassion as you read this unique story from the elephant 'Far Stream's point of view. Starting from her capture in 1871, in the forests of India to her death in 1903, you will read about this intelligent creature, subdued to entertain people. She received cruelty at the hands of some spectators and some handlers, not willing to learn from her. Her reluctance to accept any changes, especially when she was older.
They were always pressured to learn new tricks to entertain the crowds.
The author gave us a glimpse into the circus world from that period, with its high demands for perfection, pushing the animals to comply to their rules and ways. Always on the road, touring from town to town. With dangerous places, derailed trains and bulls that became mad, placing them all in danger. You learn about their executions, strangulation and many more ways they were kept in control.
What touched me most was her constant longing for a past she could not remember, her heart-break when she realized that her family was gone and the joy when she was once again reunited by her sister. Always craving for freedom, never accepting her captured life, even if she did want to please the people that came in her life. Her different names as she grew into a matriarch of the group, not her flesh and blood but yet taking the role very seriously.
The abuse that many of her fellow elephants endured, all to tame them, subdue them to fit in a man made world. Each elephant had their own unique character, their own troubles and seeing it from their perspective gives you a new found respect for these giants that walks the earth.
A wonderful historical fiction that I can recommend to all readers.
This book was well researched, well written and compelling. It is gripping, heart felt, and filled with compassion as you read this unique story from the elephant 'Far Stream's point of view. Starting from her capture in 1871, in the forests of India to her death in 1903, you will read about this intelligent creature, subdued to entertain people. She received cruelty at the hands of some spectators and some handlers, not willing to learn from her. Her reluctance to accept any changes, especially when she was older.
They were always pressured to learn new tricks to entertain the crowds.
The author gave us a glimpse into the circus world from that period, with its high demands for perfection, pushing the animals to comply to their rules and ways. Always on the road, touring from town to town. With dangerous places, derailed trains and bulls that became mad, placing them all in danger. You learn about their executions, strangulation and many more ways they were kept in control.
What touched me most was her constant longing for a past she could not remember, her heart-break when she realized that her family was gone and the joy when she was once again reunited by her sister. Always craving for freedom, never accepting her captured life, even if she did want to please the people that came in her life. Her different names as she grew into a matriarch of the group, not her flesh and blood but yet taking the role very seriously.
The abuse that many of her fellow elephants endured, all to tame them, subdue them to fit in a man made world. Each elephant had their own unique character, their own troubles and seeing it from their perspective gives you a new found respect for these giants that walks the earth.
A wonderful historical fiction that I can recommend to all readers.
April 9, 2014
This book allows you to let yourself be taken by the hand by the narrator (yes, the elephant of the books title, Far Stream) and observe with fresh eyes, our world, as lived by one stolen as a "child" from her family and the natural surroundings of her Asian home, brought to a strange new place, beaten and forced to "perform" for the financial benefit of her human "owners" and ultimately condemned to die. While Far Stream's story can be interpreted as a cautionary tale of circus animal abuse during the late nineteenth and early 20th century it is also a view of animal emotions and social relationships.
BAD ELEPHANT, FAR STREAM, a heart-rending and harrowing novel written with great compassion by author Samuel Hawley and is based on several true stories gleened by the author from various research sources. While you may be familiar with the story of Topsy (the elephant on whom Far Stream is based) and while you may also be aware of the fate that befell this animal as well as others of her kind, the brutality faced by these wild, beautiful creatures at the hand of their owners is so shockingly sad and arresting, it will touch even the most jaded reader and leave them feeling emotionally battered.
BAD ELEPHANT, FAR STREAM, a heart-rending and harrowing novel written with great compassion by author Samuel Hawley and is based on several true stories gleened by the author from various research sources. While you may be familiar with the story of Topsy (the elephant on whom Far Stream is based) and while you may also be aware of the fate that befell this animal as well as others of her kind, the brutality faced by these wild, beautiful creatures at the hand of their owners is so shockingly sad and arresting, it will touch even the most jaded reader and leave them feeling emotionally battered.
May 17, 2015
Bad Elephant Far Stream
By: Samuel Hawley
Conquistador Press: 2013
Baby elephant Far Stream, born in the wilds of Africa, lives with her mother and the family herd in healthy peace.
Suddenly, however, Far Stream's quiet, happy life is dramatically and forever changed when men drive, corral and then transport Far Stream and other captivated elephants. Stolen from her mother, Far Stream's life will never be the same as she is quickly transported to 19th century America to become a circus elephant.
Samuel Hawley's "Bad Elephant Far Stream" is a powerful telling of the brutal captures, training and lives that circus elephants were forced to endure.
From Far Stream's life as an infant in Africa through her adult life, and multiple name changes, Samuel Hawley's "Bad Elephant Far Stream" is a tremendous story you will not soon forget.
I received this Ebook for free to review. I am a member of ŷ, Librarythng, NetGalley, and maintain a book blog at dbettenson.wordpress.com.
By: Samuel Hawley
Conquistador Press: 2013
Baby elephant Far Stream, born in the wilds of Africa, lives with her mother and the family herd in healthy peace.
Suddenly, however, Far Stream's quiet, happy life is dramatically and forever changed when men drive, corral and then transport Far Stream and other captivated elephants. Stolen from her mother, Far Stream's life will never be the same as she is quickly transported to 19th century America to become a circus elephant.
Samuel Hawley's "Bad Elephant Far Stream" is a powerful telling of the brutal captures, training and lives that circus elephants were forced to endure.
From Far Stream's life as an infant in Africa through her adult life, and multiple name changes, Samuel Hawley's "Bad Elephant Far Stream" is a tremendous story you will not soon forget.
I received this Ebook for free to review. I am a member of ŷ, Librarythng, NetGalley, and maintain a book blog at dbettenson.wordpress.com.
July 16, 2014
For disclosure: I received this book in return for reading and reviewing it. I’m giving the book 5 stars because it was so beautifully written and I know that people will love this book. This book begins with Far Stream’s birth. The time she spends with her birth herd made me feel like I knew each member of her family. I had fallen in love with Far Stream and had to quit reading when the book described shipping her to America in the hold of a ship so small that the larger elephants can only move one step forward or one step back. They were on this ship for WEEKS. All I could think of was the way slaves were treated, and these beautiful animals were being treated even more cruelly! The writing is so compelling that I couldn’t bear to read any more. Elephants are my favorite animals, and I couldn’t bear to “watch� while Far Stream is turned into the broken, exhausted elephant described in the prologue.
September 14, 2014
If you ask me, I can't tell you exactly why I asked this copy for a review, what I can already tell you is that I never thought I would be so deep into the story, it's sad and extremely well told, we can see the writer made his job researching for this book, but I definitely think that translating it into a book wasn't an easy task, especially when It is told from the elephant's perspective.
We already know about the cruelty against animals inside circus, but this book take you different level of knowing how men capture, train and treat animals in order to entertain crowds, I also found very surprising that there was a real Topsy that was executed and inspired this book.
It's hard to say that I enjoyed the reading because it's certainly a sad story based on a real one, so using the word "enjoy" it's a little bit conflicting to me but I hope you understand what I mean when I say I enjoyed this book.
We already know about the cruelty against animals inside circus, but this book take you different level of knowing how men capture, train and treat animals in order to entertain crowds, I also found very surprising that there was a real Topsy that was executed and inspired this book.
It's hard to say that I enjoyed the reading because it's certainly a sad story based on a real one, so using the word "enjoy" it's a little bit conflicting to me but I hope you understand what I mean when I say I enjoyed this book.
September 1, 2014
This is the fictional life story of a real elephant captured in India and brought to the US at a very young age as a circus performer. Separated from her family, Far Stream, as her elephant family called her, lived through many challenges during her time in the circus. She learned to trust her trainer, who then left her to pursue bigger dreams as an elephant trainer in Europe. Many other elephants came and went, some good, some bad and eventually reunited with her sister, Red Moon, and her original trainer. The story of Far Stream's life, based on the lives of numerous animals, is quite interesting.
This is not my "usual" type of read. But, after reading "Water for Elephants", I thought I'd give this one a shot. I was pleasantly surprised in how much I enjoyed it. If you like animals, elephants, or circus stories I highly recommend you read this one.
This is not my "usual" type of read. But, after reading "Water for Elephants", I thought I'd give this one a shot. I was pleasantly surprised in how much I enjoyed it. If you like animals, elephants, or circus stories I highly recommend you read this one.
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