When it comes to lovability, Hannah, the sole elephant at Seattle’s dilapidated Max L. Biedelman Zoo, is off the charts. Rescued as a baby by the zoo’s founder while on safari in Africa, Hannah has been cared for by Samson Brown for her 41-year captivity.

Theirs is an empathetic, symbiotic relationship as Samson transfers all the love deflected by the death of his only child into caring for this slightly needy, somewhat neurotic, but always affectionate creature. But Samson is aging and his health is failing, and the zoo needs a plan. Enter Neva Wilson, an energetic young zookeeper whose creative ideas for Hannah’s well-being immediately put her afoul of Harriet Saul, the zoo’s petty, tyrannical administrator. To save Hannah’s life, Samson and Neva scheme to transfer her to an elephant sanctuary, though their plan comes with great personal risk. Irresistibly touching, delectably uplifting, Hammond’s understated yet gargantuan tale of devotion and commitment poignantly proves that love does indeed come in all shapes and sizes. –Carol Haggas

A Marley and Me-type story for elephant lovers

Love comes in all shapes and sizes

An elephant never forgets…

This is the story of Hannah the elephant and soon-to-be-retired keeper, Samson Brown.  For forty-one years Hannah has been held in captivity at a dilapitated zoo, with Sam’s company the one thing keeping her going.  Sam’s terrified of what will happen to Hannah when he’s gone, so rejoices when elephant expert Neva Wilson arrives on the scene.

But can she dream…
Neva quickly discovers what Sam already knows: that despite their loving care, Hannah’s isolation and worsening health could be her undoing.  So together they hatch a plan, to send Hannah to an elephant sanctuary – just as the zoo’s spiteful director launches a campaign that spotlights Hannah as the main attraction, intricately tying Hannah’s future to the fate of the zoo.

Diane Hammond, the author of two previous novels, GOING TO BEND and HOMESICK CREEK, is the recipient of an Oregon Arts Commission literary fellowship and served as a spokesperson for the Free Willy Keiko Foundation and Oregon Coast Aquarium.  She lives in Ben Oregon, with her husband and daughter.

 Published by Piatkus   4 February 2010     £7.99   Paperback