The Elephant’s Journey

By: Margaret Jull Costa - translator, José Saramago

Narrated by: Christine Williams

A delightful, witty tale of friendship and adventure from prize-winning novelist Jose Saramago.

In 1551, King Joo III of Portugal gave Archduke Maximilian an unusual wedding present: an elephant named Solomon. In Jose Saramago's remarkable and imaginative retelling, Solomon and his keeper, Subhro, begin in dismal conditions, forgotten in a corner of the palace grounds.

When it occurs to the king and queen that an elephant would be an appropriate wedding gift, everyone rushes to get them ready: Subhro is given two new suits of clothes and Solomon a long overdue scrub. Accompanied by the Archduke, his new wife, and the royal guard, these unlikely heroes traverse a continent riven by the Reformation and civil wars, witnessed along the way by scholars, historians, and wide-eyed ordinary people as they make their way through the storied cities of northern Italy; they brave the Alps and the terrifying Isarco and Brenner Passes; across the Mediterranean Sea and up the Inn River; and at last, toward their grand entry into the imperial city.

©2008 Jose Saramago (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It would be hard to more highly recommend a novel to be downed in a single draft…Simply, this books flows, and keeps on flowing." ( The New York Times)

"His most optimistic, playful, humorous and magical book, a grace note written near the end of his life...The Elephant's Journey is a tale rich in irony and empathy, regularly interrupted by witty reflections on human nature and arch commentary on the powerful who insult human dignity." ( Los Angeles Times)

"A picaresque romp that gleefully skewers the benighted souls clinging to outmoded worldviews while breathtaking new realities unfold right in front of them." ( Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)

The Elelhant's Journey

Nice to follow a story from so long ago. Nice that it was a simple plot and beautifully adorned in prose

a linguistics itinerary

loved the expressions and the interest for sound in the proper language. i count stop hearing the journey and all the critics to the society in the text.

Delightful Tale

The Elephant's Journey is fascinating, humorous, and quite enjoyable. I particularly liked the reader's interpretation.

It was fun to read and hear.

Easy to understand with deep thoughts about history, mankind, status, friendship. It keeps the legend alive about Salomon, the elephant.

Charming Journey

Admired and loved all the way, an elephant and his entourage travel, mostly by foot, from Portugal to Vienna. On the way, his accompanying humans, royally and layman alike, wax philosophical about life, religion, weather and social structures. Terrain changes, names change, weather changes, even names change, but the elephant remains, a calming and admirable edifice of a creature.
Well read by Williams, with a calm and somewhat wry voice.
Good book!