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Alex Lasker
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The Memory of an Elephant Kindle Edition

by Alex Lasker (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,424 ratings
#1 Best Seller in African Literature
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"The Memory of an Elephant" is an epic saga told by an aging African elephant as he makes a last, perilous journey to find the humans who rescued him as an orphan some fifty years ago. Interwoven with his narrative are the tumultuous lives of the family who raised and then lost him. This timeless story is alternately heartwarming and heartbreaking, spanning east Africa, Great Britain and New York from 1962 to 2015.
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  1. Print length
    238 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    June 23, 2021
  5. File size
    1274 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09545F1D4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (June 23, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 23, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1274 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,424 ratings

About the author

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Alex Lasker

Alex Lasker

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After graduating from UCLA Film School I became a screenwriter for the next 30+ years, living in Venice, then in Marina del Rey where I happily raised a wonderful, complicated family. I wrote films that starred such actors as Clint Eastwood, Bruce Willis and Patricia Arquette, among others. As insiders know, screenwriters are generally well-paid but have no control over their material, and watch helplessly as their projects are changed to meet a director's or actor's whims, rarely for the better. So, I got out of films and began writing novels. It sure is a better life as an artist.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
3,424 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Eric Bruck
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming, Hearbreaking, Inspiring…I felt so good after reading this book.
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
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I finally read “Memory of An Elephant” after friends had been extolling its heartwarming story to me for months. I’m so glad that aI did. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I can’t ever remember being so moved by a story that I welled up in parts while reading it. It has so much heart! I’ve enthusiastically recommended it to many friends.
It occurred to me after that this would be a wonderful book for young adults…high school students reading curriculum, perhaps? We desperately need stories extolling the good in humanity, and Isha (the elephant) is a wonderfully inspiring and heartwarming (at times heartbreaking) main character.
One person found this helpful
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sumnertime
5.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly touching and inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
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This was a gift to both my mind and soul.
Ishi's voice touched my heart deeply. I fell in love with this book and, even more, with Ishi, the Incredibly wise and big hearted bull elephant.
I loved learning more about the amazingly complex life of elephants.
Five stars and highly recommended.
2 people found this helpful
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Bonnie J. Clark
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving and emotional end of life story
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2023
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I I have been an elephant lover for so many years. I love going to the zoo or the wildlife parks to see these most beautiful creatures. I love them so much, that I’ve even surrounded myself with them in my home… Not the real thing obviously, but beautiful pieces of sculptures, wood carvings, pictures, pillows, etc.

This is the story of Ishi whose mother and clan are murdered by African poachers for their ivory tusks. Ishi survived his first few years because he is rescued by a family who have a wild animal rescue farm in Kenya.

This novel, much to my surprise, was so very heartwarming and endearing that I am so glad I read it. It made me smile, it made me cry. What a surprise ending to the book. We knew Ishi would have to died as the novel spans over 50 years of Ishi life and those of his friend ( both animal and human). But it was most pleasantly told.

Kudos to Alex Lasker.
2 people found this helpful
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Ronald Goldberg
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting elephant centered story.
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023
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The story was interesting. Elephants are amazing. Lots of anthropomorphic traits and language attributed to elephants which the reader needs to accept.
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JB
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming and eye opening
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
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Having always been a lover of elephants and all animals I found this such an inspiring story. Ishi captures your heart and never lets it go. The tragedy and horror of poaching for ivory is at the forefront of the story and is told through Ishi’s story and those of the “two leggers”…the humans.
It is also a beautiful love story that transcends species. I would highly recommend this book that will touch your heart and make you appreciate that we are not the only animals with feelings and love.
3 people found this helpful
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Timothy Fall
5.0 out of 5 stars The Fifty-Year Journey of an Elephant Who Must Survive Humankind's Assaults Upon His Species
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
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 If you've read this far down the reviews of this novel then you're already sitting with plenty of summaries. "The Memory of an Elephant" tells the story of the elephant Ishi: the slaughter of his family at the hands of poachers, as depicted in a vivid early scene; his rescue by a British family who operates a Kenyan animal orphanage; his return to the wild; his transportation to an English zoo; and his eventual return to Africa where he seeks, at great risk, to return to the place of his birth.

Ishi's own first-person perceptions begin the novel. Another reviewer more accurately called this voice "first-Elephant". Author Alex Lasker, in his curiosity and empathy, searches for the voice and language elephants might deploy for the rich and intelligent communication we know they share. Lasker uses both science (sensing vibrations through the soles of their feet) and conjecture (their taxonomical schemes, their observations about Nature, even about Humanity) to construct Ishi's internal monologue — reflecting on his present-day actions, his desires, and his memories.

Lasker's other tool is to alternate Ishi's "I" perspective with a broader, omniscient third-person narrative voice. From this proximity Lasker further depicts scenes of the brutality and joy in Ishi's life; and with this voice he builds the framework within which Ishi's voyage takes place — the world between 1962 and 2012. In sweeping sequences reminiscent of the generational sagas of Garcia-Marquez or Irving, we are introduced to the scattering and unfurling lives of the humans who surround Ishi, both his protectors and his tormenters. As we follow characters around Kenya, to London, to New York, and back again, Lasker seems to be showing us that these humans' individual emotional experiences — their joys and griefs — are no more or less valid than Ishi's.

Even if you already stand in awe and respect of the noble and innocent creatures we are are systematically, savagely erasing from the Earth, Alex Lasker's book, with its generosity of imagination and its spirit of empathy, will re-focus the elephant in your heart.
44 people found this helpful
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Lynda Hester
5.0 out of 5 stars What an incredible surprise!
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2023
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Five stars is about half of what this book deserves. In a time when there are so many books, so many stories, this one stands high above the rest. The author captures the voice of Ishi and every experience the elephant has is transmitted beautifully to the reader. The life experiences of his ‘two legger’ friends complete the tale and make it even more meaningful. As happy endings go, this story doesn’t have many. On the other hand, the endings are meaningful, timely and interesting.
This is without a doubt the best book I have ever read from the Kindle unlimited offerings. If it had cost , I would gladly have paid. What a wonderfully fresh approach aided by beautiful descriptions and technically and grammatically correct writing. Kudos to Alex Lasker and his editors.
Amazing!
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Ishi The Elephant
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023
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What a wonderful book! It warmed my heart. There were hard times too but the author dealt with them respectfully for men and beast and I was sad for both.
I was also horrified at the cruelty some human can display without remorse nor feelings. And yet others can have such compassion and understanding.
This book will stay with me for a long while and I highly recommend it!
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Plentynine
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in Canada on January 8, 2023
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One of the most touching books I’ve ever read and should be a must read for all.
It’s very interesting to read it from an Elephants perspective. It really makes you think.
Lately I’ve been fascinated with Elephants and following a few groups. One being Sheldrick Trust.

Well done!
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Patrizia Leone
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in Italy on May 19, 2023
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One of the most moving books I have read in my life. Highly recommended to animal and elephant lovers like myself.
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Joan Hindbo
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book
Reviewed in Canada on February 21, 2024
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Loved it
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Charlene
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! Simply WOW!
Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2023
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A beautiful story of love, friendship, family, survival and justice. I loved every minute of this, despite some hard portions to read. I fell in love with elephants and Ishi
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Leola Meagher
5.0 out of 5 stars Very touching
Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2022
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This book is well written and draws the reader into the lives of elephants and how these beautiful animals can be touched by caring people and terribly hurt by poachers. I highly recommend the book.
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