Sunday, September 28, 2008

Hannah's Dream Review and Giveaway

I just finished Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond. What a beautiful story!!! First, here is a description of the book from the publisher:

An elephant never forgets...but can she dream?

For forty-one years, Samson Brown has been caring for Hannah, the lone elephant at the down-at-the-heels Max L. Biedelman Zoo. Having vowed not to retire until an equally loving and devoted caretaker is found to replace him, Sam rejoices when smart, compassionate Neva Wilson is hired as the new elephant keeper. But Neva quickly discovers what Sam already knows: that despite their loving care, Hannah is isolated from other elephants and her feet are nearly ruined from standing on hard concrete all day. Using her contacts in the zookeeping world, Neva and Sam hatch a plan to send Hannah to an elephant sanctuary — just as the zoo's angry, unhappy director launches an aggressive revitalization campaign that spotlights Hannah as the star attraction, inextricably tying Hannah's future to the fate of the Max L. Biedelman Zoo.

A charming, poignant, and captivating novel certain to enthrall readers of Water for Elephants, Diane Hammond's Hannah's Dream is a beautifully told tale rich in heart, humor, and intelligence.


**Disclaimer** I don't write reviews often. I just read for fun. I am not terribly good with words, and I tend not to explain myself very well. Just so you know...

I found this to be a completely charming story about a beautiful friendship. The conflict seems a bit predictable, but the characters really make the story. Each character brings with them their own history, which relates to the relationships they have formed with Hannah. These stories you read about each character add a tenderness somehow. For me, the story just seemed to have a nice flow to it. And while I wasn't surprised by the ending, I was touched - it even brought a little tear to my eye.

So, all that said - I enjoyed this book, and I am glad I read it! It touched me, and I was entertained, and really that's all that matters!

And now it's time for the giveaway!!! HarperCollins sent me a SIGNED copy of Hannah's Dream for one lucky reader!!! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. One thing, though - if you don't leave an email address or an active blog link with your comment, then I will delete your comment and you will not be entered. I'm not doing this to be mean, but hey, I've got to have a way to contact you in case you win, right?

The last day to leave a comment is Tuesday, October 7, and I'll announce the winner on Wednesday, October 8th. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only.

28 comments:

Carol M said...

I would really love to win this book! I've heard so many good things about it! When my son was a docent at our zoo, he did some work with the elephants. It was a study on their intelligence. I know he would love to read this book, too!
mittens0831 AT aol DOT com

cpullum said...

Wow I would love to read this book!
Please enter me.

Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

A. Rae said...

Katie - I am currently reading "110 People Who Are Screwing up America" (or something to that effect) by Bernard Goldberg. It's a great book so far (I'm about halfway through). Also I'm in the middle of "Godless", "Reagan's War" and "Parliament of Whores". I just ordered a metric ton of P.J. O'Rourke books from Amazon (some were a PENNY!), so I will be building a fortress with books for bricks. Hahahahaaa!!

Anyway...

-Amanda

windycindy said...

What a lovely sounding story line. I really enjoyed "Water for Elephants!"
I am an animal lover and would really enjoy reading this book. Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Azull said...

Sounds interesting, not something I would normally read. WOuld love to give it a try.

Anita Yancey said...

What a great review! I did read Water for Elphants, and enjoyed it very much. Would really like to read this book also. Please enter me.
ayancey@dishmail.net

Amanda said...

Whatever! You too can write reviews...you made me want to read this one :) Thanks!

Rebecca Hickman said...

I think you are a great review writer. Keep up the good work!

I can't wait to read this book. I've always been intrigued by elephants because they have human emotions.

roxxyandjake.blogspot.com

Mary B-hof said...

I would love to read this book!

mary
mab1224@gmail.com

Abby said...

Please enter me to win this contest!

ajcmeyer AT go DOT com

pintolinda said...

This sounds like a heart warming book. Please enter me in the giveaway.
pintolinda(at)hotmail(dot)com

Rebekah said...

I've read about this book in a few places now and it sounds wonderful. I love stories with elephants in it. I blame it all on Babar. I don't know if you remember The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy, but that was another wonderful elephant story told from the elephant's perspective.
pokeybear1 @ nyc(DOT)rr(DOT)com

Alyce said...

You wrote a great review! I would love to win a copy of this book!

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm in love with this book and I haven't even read it yet! I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

add me to the entries! Sounds like a good book

Chesh said...

I soo want to read this book. It sounds o touching and reminds me of Born Free and Living Free. Please sign me up for this book.

Angelleslament @ gmail.com

Me... said...

I enjoyed your review! You should do it more often.

daq_17 at hotmail dot com

darbyscloset said...

I enjoyed your review and yours amongst several others that I have read have all just raved about this book!!! I would love to win a copy!
Thank you for the offer!
Darby
darbyscloset (at) yahoo (dot) com

Bonnie said...

What a great review! I heard the author interviewed yesterday on The Diane Rehm Radio show on NPR yesterday and it definitely grabbed my interest! This sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter my name.


redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

bevsclark said...

Sounds like a wonderful read. I like near an elephant sanctuary and have visited there. Elephants are such amazing creatures. So enormous, yet gentle.

Lenore Appelhans said...

AWW! Sweet! I would love to read this :)

judybrittle said...

I would love the chance to read this. Thank you so much!

Annie said...

Sounds wonderful, thanks.

Anna said...

I've heard good things about this book, and I'd love to read it. Thanks for the wonderful contest!

--Anna
http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com
diaryofaneccentric[at]hotmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

This sounds like a wonderful story I love elephants, they are such amazing animals! Thanks for entering me.

unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com

/\Heather/\ said...

I've researched elephants for years now. This sounds like my type of book.
My email address is in my profile. Thanks!

calgirl said...

I love stories about humans taking animals into their care and how the animals touch the lives of humans. This book sounds wonderful.

Peggy said...

This book looks wonderful, count me in

Peggy
matternu@aol.com