Basic Information : Synopsis : Characters : Expectations : Thoughts : Evaluation : Book Group : New Words : Book References : Good Quotes : References
Basic Information:
Author:
Julia Stuart
Edition:
ePub on Libby from the San Francisco Public Library
Publisher:
Doubleday
ISBN:
0385533284 (ISBN13: 9780385533287)
Start
Date: February 3, 2020
Read
Date: February 23, 2020
304
pages
Genre:
Fiction
Language
Warning: Low
Rated
Overall: 2 out of 5
Fiction-Tells
a good story: 2 out of 5
Fiction-Character
development: 3 out of 5
Synopsis (Caution: Spoiler Alert-Jump to Thoughts):
Setting
is in the Tower of London with a Beefeater and his wife being the
main characters. He has been delegated the job of bringing back the
Royal Menagerie back to the Tower. But he has to deal with the
effects of his son’s sudden death a year before which neither him
nor his wife wants to address.
There
are other characters in this book, such as the Ravenmaster, the
barkeeper, a clergyman and the Beefeaters supervisor. Each chapter
has several sections, each dealing with a character.
The
zoo gets starts, sans a couple animals. It is a big success. But the
rift between the Beefeater and his wife widen until they separate.
Each realizes that they miss each other.
Buckingham
Palace decides that they want to Royal Menagerie back in the London
Zoo. And the Beefeater and his wife reunite. The sub stories get
tidied up.
Cast of Characters:
See
the beginning of the book for this.
Expectations:
- Recommendation: Laura S, Book Group
- When: December 2019
- Date Became Aware of Book: December 2019
- How come do I want to read this book: Book group selection
- What do I think I will get out of it?
Thoughts:
You
can tell if you will like this book or not from the first page. If
after reading it and you think, this is nonsense, rubbish-it is best,
by all means, just to put this book down and enjoy some other story.
On the other hand, if this thing appeals to you, then this may be
your book.
The
albatross and Jones seem to be paired-Stuart's way of saying Jones is
lost without his wife.
One
of the thoughts I was having is that Stuart seems to go overboard
with the adjectives. Such as He
left the fortress as fast as his excessively
long legs could carry him…
Why the excessively word? I think she was trying to paint a picture
of him. But this quote is in chapter 12. The chaplain is described
again this way in 13 and 17-twice. But she has already said this in
chapter 4-twice. She also used the word in chapter five to talk about
an elephant, I believe, and chapter 12 again about reading a
magazine. I guess the thought is to give me a break.
I
am under the impression that this is not a book to be read but to be
watched. I wondered as I read this story if she was writing with John
Cleese in mind? It sort of read like something of a Faulty Towers
type story, but without the quality actors to make it pleasurable. I
was reminded of a sentence from Annie Dillard, Novels
written with film contracts in mind have a faint but unmistakable,
and ruinour, odor.
Chapter
1
The
chapter opens with Beefeater Batlhazar Jones collecting rainwater
samples. It then goes on and talks about some of the characters and
the background of the Tower of London.
Beefeater
Balthazar Jones collects rainwater, different types of water
according to the type of rain.
While
ravens are not a major part of this story, they do serve as a
backdrop of unpleasantness. There is another side to this story in
the book, The
Ravenmaster.
This is a non-fiction book, told from the Ravenmaster’s
perspective.
The
Ravenmaster and Jones do not get along due to a raven attacking his
turtle, Mrs. Cook. But even before that his wife did not like them.
She felt that they got better living accommodations than they did.
I
know this is a bit puerile, but Stuart gets points just mentioning a
Moleskine journal. Of course she loses points by saying that Jones
is recording his types of rain drops in this journal. My thought was,
what a waste of a Moleskine.
Chapter
2
Hebe
Jones is the wife of Batlhazar Jones. She works in the Underground
(subway) Lost and Found. Tells about how he became a Beefeater. Years
previous they lost a child-the reason is a mystery until the end of
the book. Also talks about the clergyman in the Tower. The Queen has
now decided to restore the Royal Menagerie, the zoo at the Tower.
Jones will be the head keeper.
She
then hunted around, searching amongst the rubble of their
relationship for past hurst that she held up again in front of him.
A picture of a marriage waiting to be broken apart. When you examine
what is wrong and not what is good about your partner.
This
is both what could have been right about the book and what is wrong
with it. Stuart brings in a character, and I think it is mostly so
she can talk about Thomas Crapper. The character Samuel Crapper is a
distant descendant of Thomas Crapper. Crapper is known as the
inventor of the modern toilet, which is false and Stuart notes that.
But what does it matter in this book? It does not. She also gets it
wrong that a Sir John Harington dis-according to The
Plumber
web site, it is an Albert Giblin. But why is Stuart so worked up
about this? I do not know.
I
learned something new. Elevenses is not just a Tolkien word.
Evidently it is very British as Stuart uses it. Originally I thought
she was just bringing Tolkien.
Chapter
3
Description
of the Underground’s Lost and Found, including the misplaced
cremation ashes, an unopened safe, and a magician’s box. Hebe has a
co-worker Valerie Jennings. Also a ticket inspector by the name of
Arthur Catnip who has a latent interest in Valerie. Describes
collecting their son’s remains.
Chapter
4
The
Tower Zoo and his involvement is hidden from Jones’ wife. Jones
and the chaplain have been friends, but since Jones’ son’s death,
they have been drifting apart. The plans for a zoo moves forward.
Chapter
5
Talks
about the process of returning lost items to their owners. (Sounds
like they have a lot of time to do their jobs.) Preparations for the
zoo. A section on Milo’s life at the Tower.
Finally
a statement which I can agree to. Jones is remembering a conversation
with his son Milo about Sir Walter Raleigh. Potatoes are a
questionable vegetable. But, personally,
I would have locked up the person discovering brussels sprouts.
I so much agree.
Chapter
6
The
clergyman write erotic stories on the side. Life at the tavern. The
zoo is announced to the other Beefeaters and families. The
Ravenmaster is having an affair with the cook.
Chapter
7
The
animals arrive at the Tower Zoo. Ruby Dore, unmarried, is pregnant.
More Lost and Found. Story of Jones and Hebe’s engagement and
Miloo’s birth.
Chapter
8
The
penguins are missing.
Chapter
9
The
interface with the Crown is informed of the status of the zoo before
it opens. Four giraffes were mistakenly taken. Penguins are still
missing. Hebe leaves her husband.
Chapter
10
Jones
discovers his wife has left. Does not feel like working. More on how
he and Hebe got together.
Chapter
11
Hebe
wanders the streets of London alone, seemingly misplaced. More
Lost&Found stories. Jones wonders what Hebe did last night. Ghost
stories of the Tower of London an a need for exorcism.
Chapter
12
The
chaplain has started a ministry for those who are engaged in prostitution with the money he received from erotica. He asks Ruby
Dore out. More tales from the Lost and Found-including opening of a
locked safe. Jones is missing his wife. History of Mrs. Cook, the
tortoise.
There
is a slam on men. One of the lesser characters notes she doesn't know
why men talk about themselves when a story about a parrot would be
much more interesting. Funny, and yet, where did this come from?
Hebe
says that the only person who can really make her laugh is her
husband. But since they lost their son but the laughter has gone out
of their lives. And now they have lost each other. This seems like
the most depressing line in the whole book. But it is also probably
the deepest and most thoughtful line also.
Chapter
13
Looking
for Mrs. Cook. Missing his wife still.Time to do the exorcism. The
clergyman is making every excuse in the book not to perform one. Hebe
is staying at her co-workers place. More Lost and Found stories.
Jones goes into Milo’s room for the first time since his death.
Wonder
what Stuart’s thoughts on religion is? In a scene where someone
wants their place exorcised, the clergyman acts like a dufus. That
someone feels like they have been duped during this whole exercise.
Chapter
14
Opens
with the Ravenmaster and the Tower’s cook having sex. The
Ravenmaster finds one of his raven’s dead. The zoo animals are
accused. Jones still misses his wife and writes a love letter and
tears it up. More Lost and Found. Somebody has opened the cages to
the zoo and the chase for the animals is made.
Chapter
15
Results
of the breakout. Ruby Dore finds the chaplain's erotic writings.
Hebe rents out a place. More Lost & Found stories.
A
good line For
years, she [Hebe]
and her husband had remained in a state of blissful delusion, seeing
many more virtues in each other than really existed.
That is a good marriage then.
Chapter
16
As
the days go on, Jones is doubting that he and his wife will ever be
reunited. The Etruscan
shrew dies.
The budding love between the clergyman and Ruby Dore is cooling. More
Lost & Found stories. Then talking about how Milo died.
Chapter
17
Another
Etruscan shrew has been procured. The chaplain talks with Jones
about love and his wife. More Lost & Found stories. More emotions
on her son’s death The chaplain gets an award for his writing-he
dresses up in drag.
As
loneliness sets in after Hebe left, Jones realizes that he will never
be in bed with anyone else. It is the times apart in which a person
realizes how much their spouse means to them. He confesses to the
chaplain that he does not know how to love anymore. But in reality,
he does as he cares. He just did not show it to Hebe. Maybe not the
most pungent of thoughts in the world. And that is the theme of the
chapter. When a husband is reunited with his wife’s ashes, he talks
with Hebe and notes that they retired to spend time together.
Chapter
18
The
decision is made to transfer the menagerie back to the London Zoo.
History of the menagerie. And of course, more Lost&Found stories.
One of interest to Hebe is a cabinet full of rain samples.
Chapter
19
The
removal of the animals affected Jones more than he thought it
would.The farewells. Ravenmaster was leaving. The chaplain was
leaving-but the relationship with Ruby Dore was picking up. Hebe
returns and they clear up the misunderstanding about Milo’s death.
His ashes are scattered on the Thames.
Evaluation:
I
do not know if this is true or not, but I am under the impression
that this is not a book to be read but to be watched. I was reminded
of a sentence from Annie Dillard, Novels
written with film contracts in mind have a faint but unmistakable,
and ruinous, odor.
Anyway, that is the impression I am left with after reading this
story.
There
are moments where this book is witty and funny. But there is so
much of the “strange” that there is little basis in the normal.
Also, much of the book is a showcase for how witty the author can be.
There are moments where Stuart succeeds, but they do not overcome the
rest of the book.
Addendum:
I do not know the reason for the question, but it really made me
start to wonder. In the Reader’s Guide, there is a question which
says:
The novel is strewn with historical anecdotes. Which do you think are
true, and which do you think the author made up, if any?
I have not gone through and checked her references, but it makes me
wonder what is true and what is not in the book which she portrays as
being historical.
Notes from my book group:
When
we read The
Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper,
I asked if it had a
“profound” thought in this book? Or is it mostly trying to be a
feel good story? What did you find which had depth in the book?
What seemed real about the book
and what seemed contrived? (Collecting rainwater samples.)
Did her usage of adjectives work
for you? (I am thinking of her repeated use of the same adjective for
the same object. For example the excessively
long legs
of the chaplain.
Is there any symbolism in
collecting rainwater?
Did
the Lost&Found stories help with the book? Was there a
relationship to the stories and the chapters they were in? Did they
add to the characters?
How
did Beefeater Jones cope with becoming the royal menagerie keeper?
What do you think it would take to be it?
Did
her humor work? How did the heartache and humor intertwine?
Was
the loss of Milo portrayed realistically?
What
do you think about the line For
years, she [Hebe]
and her husband had remained in a state of blissful delusion, seeing
many more virtues in each other than really existed.?
Do
you think Hebe’s reasons for leaving Balthazar Jones were
plausible? What were they?
And
then there is the Rev Drew and his erotica stories. Is there a
contradiction in narratives? Are these reconciled? If so how? If not,
then does the tension add to the story?
After
going out a few times, the chaplain and Ruby Dore get cold towards
each other. Why do they get back together? Is the author trying to
tell us something?
Does
Stuart present any serious ideas about what she thinks of religion?
If so, what are they?
The
novel is strewn with historical anecdotes. Which do you think are
true, and which do you think the author made up, if any? {Reader’s
Guide Question] How do we know the difference? If there are false
narratives in the story, how does it make you feel about the author’s
integrity?
Jones
realizes that he does not know how to love. What is the chaplain's
response? What would your response be?
How
does this book bring closure?
Many
of these questions are either from or adapted from LitLovers.
- Why the title of The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise?
- Does this story work?
- Did the ending seem fitting? Satisfying? Predictable?
- Which character was the most convincing? Least?
- Which character did you identify with?
- Which one did you dislike?
- Every story has a world view. Were you able to identify this story’s world view? What was it? How did it affect the story?
- In what context was religion talked about in this book?
- Was there anybody you would consider religious?
- How did they show it?
- Was the book overtly religious?
- How did it affect the books story?
- Why do you think the author wrote this book?
- What would you ask the author if you had a chance?
- What “take aways” did you have from this book?
- Describe the culture talked about in the book.
- How is the culture described in this book different from where we live?
- How did this book affect your view of the world?
- Of how God is viewed?
- What questions did you ask yourself after reading this book?
- Talk about specific passages that struck you as significant—or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...?
- What was memorable?
From
Reading
Group Guides
by
Julia Stuart
1.
While filled with humour, The Tower, the Zoo and the Tortoise has an
undercurrent of heartache. Why do you think the author included the
tragic element --- could the story have survived without it?
2.
The novel is strewn with historical anecdotes. Which do you think are
true, and which do you think the author made up, if any?
3.
Much is made of British humour. Do you think that there is any
difference between British and American humour? If so, how is it
demonstrated in the book?
4.
Explain the correlation between Balthazar’s inability to cry about
Milo’s death and his obsession with collecting rain drops.
5.
Hebe Jones sarcastically states that “It’s every woman’s dream
to live in a castle.” (p. 22) How is this statement not true for
Hebe. What do you think is Hebe’s dream?
6.
What is the main attraction between Arthur Catnip and Valerie
Jennings? How are they a well-suited match?
7.
How is the lost safe significant to Hebe and Valerie? Is their any
significance to the timing of when the lock is opened?
8.
Reverend Septimus Drew seems to be a walking contradiction. Outside
of his hidden hobby, what else is surprising/contradictory about his
character?
9.
All of the characters seem to be in search of something --- whether
lost love, items, loved ones, or animals. Who do you think is the
most fulfilled character in the book, if there is any? Why?
10.
Sir Walter Raleigh and many other spirits claim to haunt the Tower.
What element do these ghosts add to the book? Is it more spiritual or
superstitious?
11.
What is the significance of the urn that Hebe finds in London
Underground’s Lost Property Office? Why is she so resolved to find
its owner?
12.
Explain how infidelity affects various characters in the book.
13.
How does working in the menagerie make Balthazar feel closer to Milo?
14.
What role does Mrs. Cook play in the novel? She is in part
responsible for Balthazar’s job at the menagerie --- how else has
she played an integral role in Hebe and Balthazar’s lives?
15.
What role does storytelling and letter writing play in the book?
Balthazar won both Hebe and Milo’s hearts with his grand
storytelling. Who else from the Tower is a raconteur?
New Words:
- Parapet (1): a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.
- Snub-nosed monkey (2): Snub-nosed monkeys live in Asia, with a range covering southern China (especially Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou) as well as the northern parts of Myanmar. Wikipedia
- Elevenses (2): a short break for light refreshments, usually with tea or coffee, taken about eleven o'clock in the morning.
- Eau du toilette (2): literally translated as toilet water (but more appropriately described as "grooming water") is a lightly scented cologne used as a skin freshener.
- Mousaka (6): is an eggplant- (aubergine) or potato-based dish, often including ground meat, in the Levant, Middle East, and Balkans, with many local and regional variations. Wikipedia
- Hirsute (7): hairy.
- Flagrante (9): blatant
- Japonicas (15): common camellia
- Froideur (16): coolness or reserve between people.
- Bergamot (17): the bergamot orange, is a fragrant citrus fruit the size of an orange
- Plie (18): a movement in which a dancer bends the knees and straightens them again, usually with the feet turned out and heels firmly on the ground.
- Zorilla (18): also known as the African Skunk, African polecat, Cape Pole Cat, zoril or zorille. In Spanish, the name “Zorro” means Fox and this is the word that name Zorilla has been derived from. It is nocturnal and likes to live in rocks and crevices.
- The Historie of the World. in Five Bookes by Sir Walter Ralegh
- Vice Versa: A Lesson to Fathers by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
Good Quotes:
- First Line: Beef*eat*er \’be-fe-ter\: the popular name for the official guardians of the Tower of London.
- Last Line: And such was their contentment, neither of them heard the creaks as Mrs. Cook returned from her travels, an odious black feather still caught in her ancient mouth.
- We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. Immanuel Kant, Lectures on Ethics
References:
- Author's Web Site
- Wikipedia-Author
- Amazon-Book
- Amazon-Author
- GoodReads-Book
- GoodReads-Author
- Kirkus Review
- Off the Shelf Review
- Washington Times review
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