Gerald Durrell's cautionary tale for those who get what they wish for was the perfect book to read in order to raise my spirits. Durrell swore that the whole thing actually happened and that he merely clarified and embellished, but I really don't care one way or the other. The entire story played out on the movie screen of my mind, and I found myself laughing many times as I turned the pages. I'm even smiling as I type this review.

Adrian has a tough time steering Rosy clear of pubs on the way down to the coast, and they also come a cropper when meeting up with a local hunt club, a country house ball, and the stage at a seaside theater. Durrell's Dickens-esque names for his characters give this story the required light and charming touch that it needs, and he includes several turns of phrase that kept me laughing. You want examples, you say? Here are two. Lady Fenneltree had "eyes like those of a particularly maladjusted python." "He bristled and quivered like a small, alert terrier at a rabbit hole."

If you're in need of something light, fun, filled with a lovable elephant and other brilliant cartoon-like characters, as well as a legal trial that will have you laughing with glee, pick up a copy of Rosy Is My Relative. I can feel her trunk tapping me on my shoulder now. ( )

Indeholder kapitlerne "1. The Abominable Action of an Uncle", "2. The Interminable Wait", "3. The Shocking Arrival", "4. The Open Road", "5. The Monkspepper Holocaust", "6. The Aristocratic Entanglement", "7. Peacocks and Peaches", "8. The Party", "9. The Flight", "10. The 'Unicorn and Harp'", "11. Hue and Cry", "12. The Departure", "13. The Sea Voyage", "14. Landfall", "15. The Rehearsal", "16. First Night", "17. The Approach of the Law", "18. The Law", "19. The Law Working", "20. Final Settlement", "21. The Verdict".

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The story is about Adrian whose life is thrown into turmoil when his uncle dies and leaves him an elephant to care for. Not knowing what else to do with the enormous (but gentle) beast, he decides to travel with the elephant to the seashore where he hopes a circus will take her off his hands. Rosy the elephant is very good-natured but has a weakness for alcohol, and also having been a performer, thinks that many exciting circumstances she ends up in are an opportunity to do her tricks. They cause various kinds of innocent havoc with a foxhunt in the countryside, a high-society birthday ball and a theater performance. In the end, several outraged people who want justice for injuries and damage come pursuing Adrian. But Adrian has also gathered some friends along the way, and Rosy's friendly personality has won her even more. There are several chapters about the court appearance and trials - it was the most amusing court scene I have ever read! I was laughing out loud for pages and pages. A wonderful, fun story. I do believe it is based on a real man and his elephant, but not sure how much else was true.

from the Dogear Diary ( )

The first novel from the Durrell brother who usually wrote about animals and natural history. It is a comic romp and a good laugh. Read April 2009 ( )

If you enjoy James Herriot, Farley Mowat or P.G. Wodehouse, you're bound to love this book. Adrian Rookwhistle is asked to look after and care for "Rosy" by an aging uncle. Adrian is a bit concerned, especially when learning that she is a bit fond of alcohol. When Rosy arrives, Adrian is taken aback by the fact that she is, in fact, an elephant. He decides to take her to the coast to join her up with a circus. While traveling, they have many (mis)adventures and Adrian comes to find that Rosy offers a change in his fairly staid life. Hilarious! ( )