El viaje del elefante

June 1, 2009
El viaje del elefante. (The Elephant's Journey) Saramago, Jose. tr. by Pilar del Rio. Argentina/U.S.: Alfaguara: Santillana. 2008. 270p. ISBN 978-987-04-1169-7. pap. $19.99. FICTION STAR Nobel laureate Saramago was inspired to write this novel while dining at a Salzburg restaurant called The Elephant and learning that in the mid-16th century, John III, king of Portugal, made a present to the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, who was visiting in neighboring Spain. The choice of his gift, an elephant, was novel as well as risky, but the memory of this tale lives on. Saramago takes poetic license to describe the journey made by the elephant, Salomon, from Lisbon to Vienna with his Bengali keeper, Subhro. When the Archduke Maximilian rechristens them as Soliman and Fritz, the elephant keeper shows himself to be more sagacious than the capricious archduke. The elephant is ultimately the major character of this tale and has a personality and style totally his own, gaining the admiration, love, and awe of those who come into contact with him. The elephant's great dignity and perspicacity are totally credible, making him a far wiser judge of character than the archduke himself. Light, fanciful, and wise, this is one of the most delightful of Saramago's books. Highly recommended for all libraries.-Catherine Rendon, Savannah, GA

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