Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
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This week’s neglected book
Last Chain On Billie by Carol Bradley Published by St. Martin's Publishing Group on July 22, 2014
Genres: Nature / Animal Rights
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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Against the backdrop of a glittering but brutal circus world, Carol Bradley's Last Chain on Billie charts the history of elephants in America, the inspiring story of the Elephant Sanctuary and the spellbinding tale of a resilient elephant who defied the system even as she struggled to conquer her past, who never lost sight of the life she was meant to have.
Left in the wild, Billie the elephant would have spent her days surrounded by family, free to wander the jungles of Asia. Instead, traders captured her as a baby and shipped her to America, where she learned to carry humans, stand on a tub and balance on one leg – the full repertoire of elephant tricks. For decades, Billie crisscrossed the country, dazzling audiences as she performed breathtaking stunts. But behind the scenes she lived a life of misery: traveling in trucks, chained for hours on end, barely able to move, giving eight-minute performances under harsh lights and to the sounds of blaring music. And worse.
Finally, she got a lucky break. As part of the largest elephant rescue in American history, Billie wound up at a sanctuary for performing elephants in Tennessee, able once more to roam through open meadows and share her days with a herd. She would never be beaten again. But, overcome with anxiety, she withdrew from the rest of the elephants and refused to let anyone remove a chain still clamped around her leg. Her caregivers began to wonder if Billie could ever escape her emotional wounds. The compelling story of Billie’s battle to reclaim her old self is a testament to the intelligence, emotional complexity and remarkable strength of all elephants, captive or free.
Why did I add Last Chain on Billie to my bookshelf?
I am a huge animal lover so when I had the opportunity to download this book in my early days of reviewing, I didn’t think twice. The problem with animal books is that they often die. I have no idea if any animals die or are abused but I suspect there is abuse at a minimum since the title kind of screams abuse. I do want to read this book but I really have to be in the right frame of mind for it. I am down to my last 27 books on NetGalley that have been archived (not that I am counting) so it will be nice to scratch this one from my list.
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it?
Oh it’s the first time I hear about this one
oh man this cover just reminds me of Dumbo and that movie kills me haha I really struggle with animal abuse, and you are correct that you need to be in the correct mindset for it.
I hope its a well worth it read for you Carole!
I love animal stories, but this one would probably have me sobbing and that would be true even if Billie lives in the end.
I’m sure I would love this but I would also cry the whole time I was reading.
This sounds like non-fiction. I think it would be too brutal for me. I hope it’s great
Books about animals are always so sad