LORD OF THE JUNGLE.

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 21

LORD OF THE JUNGLE.

A remarkable novel with a remarkable theme aptly describes Reginald Campbell's "Poo Lorn of the Elephants" (London: Hodder and Stoughton, Lta.) The book is far removed from the ordinary run of fiction m that the author has taken for his "hero an Indian elephant. But few writers, have been so successful in capturing the spirit of the wild-and transferring it to the printed page as Reginald Campbell. He has overcome the major difficulties, and. an unusual and fascinating animal: story is the result. There is an undercurrent of human drama running through the book, but across it all stalks the elephant—a dominant and terrible figure. The scene of Poo Lorn's activities is laid in the teak forrests of Siam, and the author graphically describes how this, "the mightiest elephant in the whole vast jungle throughout Burma and Siam," fights a lone battle, not only with his '' hated •' owners, but with a whole nation, to retain his freedom in the wilds. The human element in the story is elaborated with a charmingly idyllic air. How the outlaw elephant is subdued by a child's voice and the touch of a child's hand, is told effectively and with restraint. The author has a keen eye and a ready pen for the suggestion of atmosphere as some excellent pieces of descriptive writing bear witness. — G.D.M-