Elephant Modokku of miracle (2000) ISBN: 4062099608 [Japanese Import] by Ralph Helfer

Elephant Modokku of miracle (2000) ISBN: 4062099608 [Japanese Import] Reviews

• 
  Julie G (remembering the good old days of GRs)

  The ONLY reason I read past page 3 was that this was a book club pick. If I were to teach a class in creative writing right now, I would use this book as an example of what NOT to do in your writing. First, is it fiction or non-fiction? Seems that the "author" is claiming non-fiction, but this story is terribly contrived and rings as untrue in almost every chapter. The dialogue is positively laughable. It was hilarious that all of the characters from all of the different countries all spoke the same way. Somehow, the uneducated "Bram" spoke flawless English even though he had never left his little village in Germany and had no schooling or parents who spoke English. Also, there was no character development or sense of space or time. It could have taken place in any time and in any country (and I don't mean that in a good way). When I saw this book had an average review of 4.19, I took the time to read through several of them and see what I had missed. Most of the high reviews read, "I love elephants." And, "I love animals." Really? That is not a book review. If you love elephants, go to Africa. If you love books about animals, go read Old Yeller. This was a horrible waste of my time.
• 
  Kazaan

  I gave this book one star because Mr. Helfer has passed it off as a true story, when clearly, it is not. Apparently, there was indeed an elephant named Modoc—there were six documented with that name, in fact. Yet, any reader with a critical eye can see that this is a tale of pure fantasy, with only the most distant connection to truth.
  
  The events of the story are certainly exciting and provide a good plot line, full of adventure and drama, especially for an animal lover such as myself, but there isn't an ounce of realism to it. The events unfold with one amazing happening after another, complete with a shipwreck and subsequent rescue, a secret voyage of a boy and his elephant through the Indian jungle, the killing of several bandit men by the elephant in fierce protection of the boy, a Burmese village being overtaken by renegade soldiers, the execution of a man by elephant stomping, a battle scene during which several soldiers and the boy's young bride are killed, an elephant falling off a cliff, two weddings, a fatal circus fire (this event did happen, at least), the blinding of the elephant by a drunkard with a bull hook, the poisoning of all the elephants in the circus, followed by the last minute discovery of an antidote, and finally, the reunion of the boy and elephant after ten years apart at none other than the author's ranch in CA, where through miracle of miracles, Modoc the elephant has found refuge. (Oh, Please!)
  
  Meanwhile, the two love stories within this tale are terribly embarrassing and schmaltzy. The dialogue has an awkward, artificial quality, and lacks realism. And not surprisingly, the characters fall into two camps: the good guys and the bad guys. The good guys are really good and the bad guys are really bad! There is no subtlety, no nuance, and no complexity or personality.
  
  Now, if this book were written as a fable or a myth, especially for young readers, it would make much more sense. As a fable, it is a wonderful tale, full of life lessons, exotic places, rites of passage, tragedy, adventure, the struggle of good versus evil, and a bit of spirituality to boot. The dialogue is more appropriate as part of a mythical story, with universal lessons. And with such high drama, it is a page turner of a tale. Shame on Mr. Helfer for misrepresenting it as fact.
• 
  Mikaela

  I really liked this book. At the end of the book, you find out who the author is and how he came to know this story. I have to say, I believe it is all true. I never knew I could come to love an elephant like this! I appreciated the simpleness of the writing. The beauty of this story was in the simpleness and in the emotions that Helfer described and in which you felt. I did feel that the book had an undertone of sadness, but it is one of those griefs that is worthy and even worthwhile. I highly recommend reading this book.
• 
  Mishka

  i think maybe i have read too many books in my life to be able to like this book. or maybe i am too jaded. but overall, i felt like the book metronomed between insultingly childlike language, unbelieveably gooey and ridonkulous "love" scenes, and near-constant celestine-prophesy-eque new-ageyness. i honestly wished the author would shut up, stop trying to make the story impressive and just talk to me about the damned elephant, who seemed pretty cool.
  
  sometimes i was able to set aside the issues i had with the book, and get into a scene.... but then the problems always came back again. yeah, i still got choked up at some of the animal abuse scenes.... i'm not a total robot. i just felt like the story was conflated and done a disservice.
  
  and then i researched it to figure out how much was true, and it all made sense. of COURSE it sounds like the celestine prophecy. of COURSE it seems like the story was somehow corrupted. the "true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived" seems to be almost entirely false.
  
  thanks for not only wasting my time, dear author, but for not even having the balls to do so honestly.
  
  
• 
  Bobbi

  I am only halfway through this book and I can hardly bear to turn one page after the other. Believe me, if this book had not been a book club book, I would burn it! It one were teaching the meaning of anthropomorphism, giving human qualities to animals, this would be right up there on the top of the list. "he knows that the chain around his foot is the right thing" for an elephant. Oh, come on!! There is so much poetic license in this "true" story that it shouldn't even be on the fiction list. Some reviews have said that every animal lover will love this story. No way!! No elephant or any other wild animal should be kept as part of a circus or zoo or in any other confinement; they're "wild"; get it? The writing is horrible. Give me a break! PS. Barnum and Bailey's is coming to town, and I'll be right there amidst the protesters. You should be, too.
• 
  Leah

  Seriously? This book was total twaddle. I wasn't touched, I didn't cry, and I didn't emotionally react to any of the one-dimensional characters. Let's get this straight -- after floating in water during a hurricane for many days, the boy refuses to get on a boat to go to safety because the elephant can't come. After a few more days of floating, he decides to give up, and just as he's dipping under the water, ready to take in a breath of water, he hears a boat motor. It's a Christmas miracle! Despite what should have been high winds and waves, he hears a motor. Under water. Am I just cynical?
  
  Also, one moment Bram is a boy, the next he's skinny dipping with a girl named Girtie. There's actually a surprising number of scenes where he's naked. Why? Doesn't seem to fit in the story at all.
  
  Now how about this writing?
  
  Actual sentences: "One afternoon as Bram dozed on his mat atop Modoc's back she stopped... abruptly!"
  
  "With great shoving and lifting of tonnage... slowly... Modoc stood!"
  
  "This was indeed the hospital... a hospital for elephants."
  
  The use of the word "din" multiple times reminded me of the sentences kids have to write after learning a new word. Give it a rest, man.
  
  And there's no way that most of this was fact. I should have never read the acknowledgments before I started the book. When mind reading and "energy" and "metaphysical" were mentioned, directly before the author's note that basically said that he may or may not be getting most things right, I was thinking, "Ruh roh."
  
  I noticed that several other reviewers noticed that Modoc's tusks were mysteriously absent in the pictures. Others noticed that the amount of time Helfer had with her didn't match up. One reviewer on Amazon mentioned that she tried looking into the information and couldn't find anything other than mentions of this book. No sources, no exact times or dates, and mostly inner dialogue (or dialogue with an elephant). But who knows, maybe all I've learned about finding and citing information is claptrap. Whoops, I meant to say, "Maybe all I've learned was... claptrap!"
  
  Even if this book was filed under fiction instead, nothing could save it from being poorly written melodramatic drivel. That being said, the children's book was quite lovely.
• 
  Chrissie

  An utterly amazing true story about an elephant, Mosie, and her trainer, Bram! If you like books about amazing animals and what they do - this is for you. Shipwrecks, fires, poisoning, terrorist revolutionary uprisings, teak forests, upspritualism and an anazing love story between one man and his elephant! This book is very plot driven. The bits on spiritualism didn't quite get me thinking.... I would say yup, I agree, and then that was the end. Nothing to ponder over. For example - one love never diminishes another love.
  
  I don't quite know if I pick light books over Xmas b/c I know my emotions will be fully occupied with family matters - the result being that I never find fabulous books over Christmas. Don't get me wrong, this is definitely worth the time I spent reading it, and I do recommend it, but it is no thought provoking book! The writing is clear, but that is it! I wouldn't say it sparkled. Does every book sparkle? One thing annoyed me - there was no map and dates were sparse. For example where exactly were those teak forests and where was the maharaja's Elephantarium or what city was it near? I like to know this stuff
  
  Before reading the book: I need to read something over Xmas that will grab me, usually my brain tends to stray! Check out the cover - can you see the little boy's hand around that elephant, the turn of the elephant's head, and the straightness of the little boy's back? A picture can say a thousand words.
  
  PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THIS BOOK AVAILABLE BOTHAT AMAZON AND B&N!
• 
  Amy

  Before there was Dumbo, before but not quite before there was Toomai of the Elephants, there was Modoc and there was Bram, the boy who loved her. Boy and elephant, born on the same day, in the same hour, two souls intertwined throughout a lifetime.
  
  This true story starts out in Germany, but soon travels the world. More adventures than you can count, a fearsome storm and shipwreck that rival (or maybe inspired) Life of Pi, life with princes in India, not to mention the legendary Mahout elephant trainers in the teak forests, a white elephant spiritual guide, circus time, love, loyalty...it's got it all! Bram and Modoc certainly seem to be soul mates of a sort, though Bram was lucky enough to find women who understood his love for an elephant as well as good and true friends in his lifetime. I loved the way Bram developed his on personal philosophy/spirituality that combined what he knew and what he learned from the elephant and mahouts.
  
  Ralph Helfer's style is a little stilted, but serves him well enough. He is best known as the Hollywood animal trainer who was one of the first to use affection and kindness to train the wild animals we see in movies and on TC. (Clarence the Cross_Eyed Lion is one of his most famous friends.)
  
  This book was given to me by TheSIL and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
  
• 
  Lynne

  This book reads like a novel, with the main character being an amazing circus elephant. It really speaks to the bond between people and animals... and to the very real possibility that elephants are a higher species than humans. How can I tell you how beautifully she dances?
• 
  Paul Pessolano

  This book was first published in 1997. I have been looking at it over the last several years promising myself that I would read it. I was fascinated by the cover and the reviews. The cover alone should have you reading the book. My only regret is that I did not read it the first time I saw it.
  
  "Modoc" is probably the most unusual pet book I have ever read. It is hard to believe that this is a "true story".
  
  Bram Gunterstein was the son of a circus animal trainer. He was born on his father's farm and, at the same time, an elephant to be named "Modoc" was born in the farm's barn.
  
  Bram and Modoc grew up together and formed a relationship that would be like no other. Bram's father believed that animals were to be trained with kindness and understanding, instead of with a whip. It is this context that Modoc took commands from Bram. Sometimes they seemed to be able to read each other's thoughts.
  
  The closing of the circus and Bram's fathers death caused Modoc to be sold to a circus operating in the United States. Bram was not part of the deal and his love for Modoc forced him to stow away on the ship transporting Modoc to the States. The ship runs into a typhoon and is sunk. Modoc and Bram survive and help in the rescue of other passengers. Modoc, at the point of drowning, is saved and both he and Bram are courted as heroes in India.
  
  The circus owner, in trying to find Modoc, causes Bram and Modoc to travel to the teak forests of India to work. They are captured by militants and almost die in traversing the mountains in India and engaging in a gunfight between the militants and the Indian Government. Both Modoc and Bram are injured, Modoc seriously, but they both pull through and find themselves attached to the circus in the United States.
  
  The book is filled with unbelievable love, caring, and devotion between Bram and Modoc. I cannot imagine or think of a human/animal relationship that even comes close to what they had. A magnificent read for those who just want to read a good book, or one who loves books about animals, or one who likes a book where relationships really matter.
• 
  Shannon

  For a book that is "the true story" it is amazing how much of it is complete fiction. For starters the entire first half of the book! Nothing is true until Modoc gets to the circus and then only itty bitty pieces may be true. There was a fire but no elephants were in the tent at the time.
  
  After digging just a little bit I came to realize that when I was little I saw the elephant in question at Lion country Safari.
  
  Besides not being a "true" story, the writing is very poor and I remember thinking that I could have written the book - and trust me, there is a reason that I do not write books!
  
  I think I would have liked the book better if it had a different title and did not try to make itself out to be a true story.
• 
  Beth Brekke

  On the recommendation of a friend, this book was chosen as our monthly book club read. No one, including me, had heard of this story before but agreed it sounded unique. After reading, our consensus was mainly positive.
  
  Personally, I found this easily overlooked work to be quite interesting and entertaining--once I got through the first 50-60 pages. Up to that point, I started thinking this choice was a mistake. After that point, it moved at a fast pace through multiple action-packed adventures and the incredible life story of Modoc the elephant and his trainer, Bram. I suspect the term "non-fiction" is used loosely and might better be described as "based on a true story". It wasn't clear to me until I finished the book and did a little research that the author appears near the end of the story and actually played a part in the life of Modoc and Bram. This one fact gives some credibility to the events described throughout the book. In addition to the slow start and embellishment, I questioned how the author's constant contradictions made it past an editor. Here is just one example, "Topless women carried a multitude of items on their heads. All were dressed in bright-colored apparel." Yes, it's possible they wore something bright-colored while being topless but this certainly could have been written better. The inclusion of photos in a non-fiction book is always nice but these lacked any identification or citation of a date or source.
  
  If you read this as a fictitious action novel instead of questioning the facts, it will be much more enjoyable. Some scenes are edge-of-seat drama that keep you turning the pages and some scenes are emotional and heart-wrenching, especially if you have ever had a deep attachment to an animal.
  "God is nature and as He is perfect, so is nature perfect. Those of us who are in tune with nature and animals know it is our way of life, Bram. There is a connection to all living things, a vibration of life."
• 
  Louise

  Story Description:
  
  Modoc is the joint biography of a man and an elephant born in a small German circus town on the same day in 1896. Bram was the son of an elephant trainer, Modoc the daughter of his prize performer. The boy and animal grew up devoted to each other. When the Wunderzircus was sold to an American, with no provision to take along the human staff, Bram stowed away on the ship to prevent being separated from his beloved Modoc. A shipwreck off the Indian coast and a sojourn with a maharajah were only the beginning of the pair's incredible adventures. They battled bandits, armed revolutionaries, cruel animal trainers, and greedy circus owners in their quest to stay together. They triumphed against the odds and thrilled American circus audiences with Modoc's dazzling solo performances, only to be torn apart with brutal suddenness, seemingly never to meet again. Hollywood animal trainer Ralph Helfer rescued Modoc from ill-treatment and learned her astonishing story when Bram rediscovered her at Helfer's company. His emotional retelling of this true-life adventure epic will make pulses race and bring tears to readers' eyes.
  
  My Review:
  
  “Modoc is a love story, a gut-wrenching afternoon kind of love story that should not be attempted without a full box if tissues within easy reach.” –Detroit Free Free
  
  “…sweeping across the timber land into the gray, misty valleys of the Black Forest…baby sounds! Below the fog layer, the insistent waits a baby could be heard, their temerity as if from Mother Earth herself.
  
  And then another voice arose. Deeper, brassy, trumpety, but still a…baby sound.”
  
  Thus begins the true story of Modoc. Bram, borne to Josef and Katrina Gutterstein, and named after Josef’s father, was a beautiful baby boy with blonde hair. Bram’s blonde hair and features came from the strong Nordic ide of Katrina’s family, and the sweet and gentle warmth radiated so strongly from Josef’s heritage. They lived in Hangendorf Valley, Germany and Josef just knew that Bram would be would become: “a fine elephant trainer.
  
  Josef himself is an elelphant trainer working for a small circus in the nearby
  town of Hassengross. Emma, had just given birth to her elephant up, “Modoc” and Josef was determined to make Emma’s baby the best trained elephant the world has even seen. If anyone could do it, he could as his whole family was circus and the last three generations were all elephant trainers when Josef’s own son Bram, was old enough, he would be turned over to him from training and he’d follow in his father’s footsteps.
  
  I immediately fell in love in love with “Modoc’ and “Bram”. This large mammal and young boy had a bond like no other I’ve ever seen. The closeness, the love, the depth of the relationship was beyond anything I had ever encountered. A most mesmerizing story not to be missed!
  
  
• 
  Laurie (barksbooks)

  I love true animal stories and this one came highly recommended by one of my reading friends. I know I would have enjoyed it much more if I could have read it without distractions but quiet time is impossible to come by in my house.
  
  This story is supposedly a true one about an elephant and a boy who grow up together but some of the adventures truly require a big gulp of suspension of disbelief. I'm thinking the author exaggerated a wee bit to embellish his story but maybe that's just me . . . Despite that, it's a very heartwarming tale about the bond that can develop between man and elephant. Lovely stuff.
• 
  David

  True story, my Aunt Ethel. While Modoc and Bram may have existed, this account of their lives is obviously wishful, and has little basis in reality. Helfer has apparently trained elephants for films, but he doesn't seem to know much about how they act in the wild. His account of breeding Asian elephants is full of factual errors, and he speaks of Modoc's tusks when, according to the photos included in the text, she never had tusks (as most female Asian elephants do not). What a waste of time.
• 
  Lori

  I really tried to enjoy this book, but finally put it down about halfway through. I am aware that a great deal of controversy surrounded the book because the subtitle indicates that the tale is true, although it so obviously isn't. That didn't bother me as much as the poor writing and the bizarre New Age vibe that gradually escalated throughout the first half. Although the main character, a boy named Bram, and Modoc the elephant are sympathetic, likeable characters, their personalities weren't worth wasting more of my time.
• 
  Jānis

  Pirmo reizi šo grāmatu lasīju ļoti sen un bija palikušas patīkamas atmiņas. Tagad to izlasījām vēlreiz kopā ar vecāko dēlu - joprojām ir vietas, kur acis paliek nedaudz mitras. Patiesi jauks stāsts par zēna un ziloņa mīlestību un nemaz ne tik jaukajiem piedzīvojumiem.
• 
  Heather

  GREAT story, but the writing left much to be desired.
• 
  Emma Rund

  I hated the writing... I just couldn’t do it. SO cheesy.
• 
  Elizabeth Burton, LCSW, PMH-C

  One of the most moving books I’ve ever read, I actually listened but will be buying a copy to keep and read again. This is a love story - one about an extraordinary bond between a boy and his elephant. Their mutual loyalty, love, and resilience completely captivated me. Their long journey together, then separated, and finally reunited had me tearing up, smiling, and even holding my breath at times. The emotional depth of their relationship, spanning decades, transcends anything I’ve read about human-animal bonds before. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of trust and unconditional love. If you’re looking for a story that will not only touch your heart but stay with you, Modoc is a must-read.
• 
  Mimi

  been reading this book on and off in between other things! Rereading it for the first time since I was like 12, very emotional!
• 
  Sher

  Honestly, I had to give up on what I thought would be an incredible book. It got too unbelievable and very contrived. Sorry!
• 
  Christie Bane

  This is one of my favorite books ever! It tells the story of a boy and an elephant who are born on the same day in Germany in, I think, the 1920's. The boy is the son of an animal trainer and grows up with the circus. When he is a teenager, the circus is sold and he leaves his home and family to stay with the elephant, Modoc. Their bond lasts their entire life and they have all kinds of adventures together ranging from a shipwreck to an Elephantarium in India to a job in a teak forest to running from armed fighters to going to America...
  
  Honestly I thought at first that this would just be an okay book -- enjoyable because almost all animal stories are, but just another animal story -- but I was totally wrong; I was captivated by the writing and the story immediately. There is something about the author's style that makes the story sound like it is either translated from another language, or written a long time ago, but I checked both of those things and neither one applies. The whole story has a mystical or spiritual dimension to it, having to do not only with the depth of the human-animal bond but also with a person's own ability to experience emotion and transcendence. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story!
  
  (It is supposed to be a true story. I don't know if it is or not; it reads kind of like a make-believe story but at the same time is profoundly true in essence, whether it is true in real life or not.)
• 
  Clair

  This story highlights a special relationship between an elephant and a boy who were born on the same day in Germany. Beginning as part of a circus family, the two spend the majority of their lives together surviving many obstacles and near-death experiences. The love Modoc and Bram have for each other and the way they are able to communicate is very inspiring. This part of the story I loved.
  
  I thought some parts would have best been left out- some brief but graphic descriptions are used to relate violence that occurs when an elephant defends herself. And surely I could have been spared the details of elephant breeding. Too bad there wasn't an edited version of the book.
  
  I'm not sure how "true" to life it all is, though I'm sure the storyline and plot are based on real events. Helfer, the author of the story is someone who meets Modoc and Bram near the end of their lives. I imagine the author is mostly going off of stories he's been told. In an author's note, Helfer explains that he based his writing on what he knew was true, on research that may or not be true, and on hearsay. Then, of course, there is poetic license. So, while some parts are very beautiful and touching, I kept wondering which parts are based on reality and which are embellishments.
  
  Either way, Modoc and Bram are to be admired for their courage, love, and determination.
  
  
  
  
• 
  Quidec

  10 AÑOS para terminar este libro. ASÍ de aburrido está. Y digo, de la segunda mitad para el final se pone chido, pero bien podría haber sido eso, o que con la edad me hice más condescendiente al mismo libro para poder terminarlo rápido.
  
  Para ser sincero, gran parte del libro gira en torno a un elefante. Lo entiendo. Es un libro para zoólogos, pero como no es mi caso, creo que no fue tan "excitante" seguir 70 años de la vida del paquidermo Modoc. Sí, tiene sus partes geniales, hasta digamos que un poco de acción... Pero ¡DIOS!, ¡cuánto se tarda en llegar a las partes buenas!
  
  En fin. Recomendable si te gustan los animales, y no buscas una lectura fluida. De todas maneras, su volumen engaña: La letra es grande, y las páginas pasan rápido (almenos en mi edición). Yo no lo volvería a leer jamás.
  
  Creo que, después de llevar 10 años leyendolo, este libro se merecía almenos, 3 párrafos. Gracias.