The Anthropomorphic Elephant Issue

Review of Padma and the Elephant Sutra by W L Snowden

by Bill Kieffer            

I got what I came for, namely the anthropomorphic elephants. It was very realistically accomplished. Instead of feeling like a fantasy adapted race of creatures who just happened to have trunks, the Elephants of Ceylon and Kandy come to life as the very smart creatures they really are. The human race did not do so well. They broke my heart throughout the final chapters. Padma’s adventures seemed much too straightforward until she met the old soldier, George. Maybe it is the human arrogance in me, but I think I would have liked meeting the crazy man sooner. Or, perhaps, that’s the point of the tale. Padma’s people are much better stewards of the world than man ever was and will, perhaps, never be. This may be the best magical realism book that I’ve read this year.