The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
Julia Stuart
2010
304 pages
Published by Doubleday
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I purchased this book at Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara, which needs to move to Morro Bay. I promise I could make it worth their while.
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This is a cute novel, in keeping with the adorable cover. The sketches continue throughout the book, too, as each chapter ends with a little picture of an animal.
The animals also come darn close to stealing the show in the book, too.
Balthazar Jones is a Yeoman Warder (popularly called Beefeaters) at the Tower of London. His performance on the job has suffered, however, since the death of his young son. His marriage is floundering, also. The only thing that brings him any happiness is rain.
Balthazar lives in the Tower, with the other Yeoman Warders and their families, as well as a few other individuals. There’s Ruby, who runs the on-site pub, and Reverend Septimus Drew, who hates rats and has a secret life. There are also a few ghosts running around. It’s a big, not-so-happy family.
When the Queen decides to reinstate the Royal Menagerie at the Tower, everyone’s lives are shaken up. And poor Balthazar is put in charge of the exotic animals, which include disappearing penguins, vicious lovebirds, and a stinky glutton.
This was a fun read, despite Balthazar’s initial bleakness. My only advice to you, should you decide to read the book, is to skip the description on the front and back flaps, as it darn near tells the whole story!
What a bizarre-sounding book!
Amanda´s last [type] ..Bleak House- Week 3
I hate when the publishers blurb ruins a book! It sounds like the book is full of quirky characters, which I just love.
I like quirky characters, too. Thanks for the advice about not reading the blurbs – I usually don’t, but still.
Care´s last [type] ..intense developing various
I have a copy of this one to review very soon, and I am really looking forward to it! I loved her other book, The Matchmaker of Perigord, and would highly recommend it to you. It’s a really fun book!
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I just read a DNF review of this on another blog! However, I have it, and it’s short, two things that make it seem appealing to me!
I agree with you – Chaucer’s would go very well in Morro Bay!
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I really want to read this book so I’ll remember not to read the flaps
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Really like the cover. It sounds like a fun, quirky kind of story!
This sounds like an eclectic cast of characters which is definitely something I enjoy!
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I’d like to read this one, so thanks for the tip on skipping the jacket descriptions.
charley´s last [type] ..Titus Andronicus
I’m surprised Billy didn’t have something to say about this one. You know, with the animals and all.
The cover is adorable. I’d buy it for that reason alone.
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Is there a picture of a goat in the book?
I love the cover and it sounds like a cute, quick read, perhaps just the thing for these end of summer days…
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I can never understand why the book’s synopsis would ruin the entire plot! Many times I will skip reading the back of the book just in case because I really hate spoilers.
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It looks so adorable … I would have thought it was as children’s book.
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This book sounds interesting even though I am not a huge fan of zoos (strange, I know) or sketches in novels!
Adorable cover, and this is something I will definitely give a try
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This sounds like light, pleasant fun! I will have to check and see if my library has it.
Stefanie´s last [type] ..1001 Inventions and the Library of Secrets
This sounds like something I would like. Love the cover and I like that there’s a sketch for each chapter.
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I agree, Chaucers should open up a satellite store in Morro Bay. It would make going to my mom’s house much less of a chore:)
Gwen´s last [type] ..A Bit About MeMe Just Call Me Crafty
Love the cover for this one. And it sounds like a cute story. But if I do decide to pick it up, I’ll avoid the front and back flaps – thanks for the warning, I hate it when the synopsis gives away too much of the story.
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