The story of a circus elephant's journey through life
Bad Elephant Far Stream is an animal story for adults, a novel about the odyssey of a circus elephant, told from her own perspective, through her own eyes. Inspired by the true story of the circus elephant Topsy, it begins in the forests of Ceylon in the late 1860s with the capture of a baby elephant known to her own kind as Far Stream. She is taken to America and sent to the Adam Forepaugh Circus in Philadelphia. There, Far Stream embarks on a new life under the big top, appearing as "Topsy," part of Forepaugh's famed elephant dancing quadrille. She crisscrosses North America for thirty years with the circus, experiencing hardships, kidnapping, escapes and adventure. But when she comes to outweigh her keepers by a factor of forty—it's hard not to hurt somebody. It's hard not to be "bad."
Praise for Bad Elephant Far Stream
"Meticulously researched and well told...an important story...I urge people to read this book." (Stewart McFarlane, author of
Of Mice and Zen: Animal Encounters in the Life of a Wandering Buddhist) "Intriguing and haunting...Moving and thought-provoking ... an intense and emotional novel. A highly recommended read." (
Shalini's Book Reviews) "Well researched, well written and compelling...gripping, heart felt, and filled with compassion." (
Lynelle Clark Aspired Writer) "Far Stream captured my heart immediately...I enjoyed this book so much that I had to research the story further." (
The Writers Lounge) "This historically significant novel is one that will stick with me for a long while. It's a must read for those who enjoy this genre." (
Pure Jonel: Bibliographic Ramblings of a Bookworm) "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." (
If It Has Words)
