September 24, 2008

Hannah's Dream

Written by Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

I was an English major in college, but not one of those high-falutin' intellectuals looking for symbolism and political subcontexts on every page. I liked to read. I liked to write, so I majored in English and did a good bit of each in college.

I like books about people. No, not biographies, but books that invite his into the lives and hearts of people — ordinary or extraordinary. I'm drawn to stories — to characters — to themes of friendship, personal growth, internal or external struggles. I know that's why memoir has quickly become my favorite genre. I enjoy a great character-driven novel in the same way (if not more).

Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond is this sort of novel. Hammond delicately deals with the human experiences of love, lack of love, loss, hope, duty, growing up and growing old.

And when I this is a character-driven novel, let me go one step further and say that this book is full of characters — Max Biedelman, a sort of androgynous woman who lived in the early twentieth century; Harriet, the director of the zoo which Max founded, who taps into the confidence and spirit of Max as she tries to find acceptance for herself and financial success for the zoo; Sam Brown, a man who has given his life and his heart to two women, his wife Corinna and the elephant Hannah.

Sam has spent the last forty-one years of life caring for Hannah, at the dying wish of Max Biedelman, but he is old and sick and needs to retire. He just can't do it until he finds someone who will properly care for Hannah as he has done. Will that person be Neva, the new elephant keeper that Harriet has hired? None of the others have worked out, but Sam sees signs in the beginning that she just may be different.

This book reminded me a bit of another book dealing with an elephant (Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, which I enjoyed), and also Life of Pi, which delved a bit into the debates about zookeeping. However, this novel is not the result of an author trying to jump on the bandwagon of the popularity of books about animals (Marley and Me also comes to mind, though I haven't read that one).

No, no, Diane Hammond has her own reasons for telling this story. Tomorrow in our Books on Screen column, the author will be writing about her work with the real whale upon whom the movie Free Willy was based and how it helped birth this novel (updated: here is a link to that column).

I loved this story, and if you enjoy stories such as I've described, I think you'll enjoy it too.

We have three signed copies of Hannah's Dream to give away. Please leave a comment if you'd like to win (U.S. addresses only), and we'll announce the winners next Wednesday.

This giveaway is closed.

Managing Editor Jennifer Donovan is a contributing editor at 5 Minutes for Mom. She has been blogging at Snapshot for over two years. You'll almost always find her holding either a book, a fork, a child's hand, her laptop, or some combination therein.

Filed under 5 Star Reads, Fiction, Jennifer by Jennifer (5 Minutes for Books)

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

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188 Comments

Comments on Hannah's Dream

September 24, 2008

Yasmin @ 1:05 am

This sounds like something I would enjoy reading. Thanks for sharing!

junglewife @ 1:11 am

I'd love to win! I'm always looking for new good books to read =)

Michele @ 1:22 am

Sounds great! Count me in.

Krista @ 1:34 am

Sounds like it would be a really fascinating book! I'm in!

Alyce @ 1:36 am

I'm in the middle of listening to the Water For Elephants audio book right now. I would love to be able to compare and contrast!

Jackie @ Our Moments Our Memories @ 2:22 am

I could definitely use a good book to read now that the weather is turning cool and cozy. Thank you so much!

Lori @ 7:19 am

This sounds great! And I loved Water for Elephants, too. Add my name in for the giveaway — thanks!

Michael Capp @ 7:36 am

I want to win!

Heather Brandt @ 8:02 am

I'd love to win this book to enjoy this fall

heatherlbrandt (at) verizon (dot) net

Roseann Kies @ 8:06 am

Looks like a wonderful book! Thanks for the contest!

Evelyn Murray @ 8:22 am

I'd love to read it.

Corinne @ 8:50 am

This looks interesting; not one I'd be inclined to pick up on my own. Thanks for the recommendation and the giveaway. I'd love to give it a try.

Courtney @ 8:57 am

this sounds very interesting and right up my alley. I am sure it would be a exciting read. Sign me up to win this one pls. Thanks!!!

Leann @ 9:27 am

I'd love to receive a copy!

charline s @ 9:40 am

I love to read it is the one thing that can get my mind off everyday life problems.

Ana @ 10:04 am

I'd love to win it.

Karen Gonyea @ 10:08 am

Sounds Great

Amy N. @ 10:09 am

Your first paragraph made me smile. It sounds exactly like me since that's why I majored in English also. Thanks for the review on this book. I'll definitely have to check it out.

Sandy @ 10:14 am

would love to read, gonna put it on my list..great review

Annette Gallagher @ 10:15 am

I want to read this!!!

Bernadette Holbrook @ 11:28 am

AH!! Finally a book after my own heart!! and struggle!! I hope I win!!!

john iavarone @ 11:47 am

Hope I win.

Nancy @ 11:59 am

Sounds great! Love to win.

Denise @ 12:11 pm

Count me in!

Gina Stratos @ 12:41 pm

Perfect — I need a new book
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Go Amie @ 1:28 pm

This sounds wonderful. Thank you.

Ann Fantom @ 1:35 pm

I would like to read me. Please enter me.

Jenn S. @ 1:52 pm

Count me in! Always look for a good read.

john pratt @ 1:56 pm

i am interested to win the book and then read it. if you would like a book report i could do one after reading the book. johnpratt@ecologyfund.net with daytime #: 202 564 8272 belongs to john pratt living at 700 7th st. s.w. # 333 in washington, d.c. 20024. thanks in advance and have a blessed day.

Debbie @ 2:01 pm

I think I would love this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.

Wendy @ 2:32 pm

Please enter me! Thanks:)

Karen B @ 2:38 pm

I'd love to win!

Laura @ 3:47 pm

Sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the review.

susan varney @ 4:03 pm

love to have a copy

Angela J @ 4:08 pm

Sounds like a good read.

karen c. @ 4:14 pm

I was an English major in college too, but somehow only read two books start to finish. Now that I'm home with my baby boy, I read all the time. It's the most relaxing way to spend nap time.

Julie @ 4:50 pm

Great review, Jennifer. I really liked both Water For Elephants and Life of Pi (although I'm still reeling over that ending lol) and would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the opportunity!

Adrienne Gordon @ 6:01 pm

enter me.

shannon Baas @ 6:27 pm

Sounds like a good book.

Kari @ 6:32 pm

Sounds great….ELEPHANTS are my FAV animal!!!!! Thanks so much!!

Meredith Peters @ 6:34 pm

This sounds like a delightful crisp Fall night book!

Alice Hansen @ 6:58 pm

Thanks for your review – sounds like a wonderful book!

Susan Smith @ 7:09 pm

Please enter me

Hil'Lesha @ 7:41 pm

Sounds good!

Rosanne Morrison @ 8:39 pm

I love to read to and I agree to not go too deep

Cindi @ 8:42 pm

Hello, My brother was a Veterinarian for over 30 years! I grew up in a family who took in any and every kind of animal that no one wanted. I have read many books about the handling of Circus animals, puppy mills and animal testing. I also have a friend who works at a zoo who would enjoy this book. Please enter me in your book drawing. Many thanks…..Cindi

Anita Yancey @ 10:02 pm

It sounds very interesting. Would love to read it.

K. Cleaver @ 10:13 pm

Good review. I'd be interested in reading this too.

September 25, 2008

Giveaway City @ 12:08 am

Sounds like some good reading! Would love to "check it out"
Please include me in your giveaway!

C. Clemens @ 1:07 am

i love your web site.

Chrysa @ 2:45 am

This sounds really good.

Holly @ 3:03 am

Great review. It sounds like a terrific book. I blogged about the giveaway too.

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/giveaways_25.html

Belinda Shaw @ 3:46 am

This sounds like gread reading material!

Carol Lawrence @ 4:04 am

I would like to win this book.

Carol @ 7:43 am

I would love to read this book. We just had two more baby elephants born at our zoo this summer. They are so cute!
mittens0831 AT aol DOT com

Kathy Scott @ 7:44 am

Thanks for the chance.

david basile @ 7:45 am

sounds like a good one

Janice Golden @ 8:34 am

My sister in law was talking about getting this book the other day

Susan C @ 9:16 am

I love elephants and would love to read this book!

Nicole C. @ 10:05 am

Sounds like a great book!

sarah b @ 10:40 am

sounds like a good book

DeeAnn S @ 12:02 pm

I'd like to read this book. Enter me please.

beth shepherd @ 12:05 pm

Thank you for having this! Sounds like an excellent read. Thank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

veronica sandberg @ 12:22 pm

want to win this

Patty @ 12:27 pm

Thank you for having this contest. I really appreciate it.

Rebecca Snodgrass @ 12:33 pm

Sounds like a great read.

Wendy @ 1:07 pm

Love this site. I just finished reading Water for Elephants and would really like to win this book. Thanks!

Cilfton Wade @ 1:19 pm

Did you intentionally use a derivative of your last name as the name of the character in this book?
Thanks for this great contest and prize. A book/books are the best prizes for they keep on giving!

Valerie Mabrey @ 1:35 pm

thanks for the contest

Evelyn @ 1:42 pm

sounds good

gwendolyn @ 1:43 pm

Please enter me — I am most eager to read this book! Thank you for the chance!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Desmond @ 2:37 pm

Count me in!

Jennifer Hedden @ 3:44 pm

enter me

kristi blackstone @ 3:48 pm

I'd love to win and read this, sounds great!

Linda @ 3:52 pm

I'd like to win, looks great!

Mia J. @ 4:40 pm

I love to read and would love the opportunity to win this.

Susan Ledet @ 5:13 pm

I really enjoy reading your reviews.

Brent Dotson @ 6:13 pm

I would love to win this for my wife

Vicky Boackle @ 7:10 pm

i love to read.

Barbara Fox @ 7:40 pm

Sounds like a really good book!

kathy pease @ 8:19 pm

PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY

Kimberly V. @ 8:37 pm

This sounds like a very intersting read and I would very much love the opportunity to read it.

Thank you so very much for the giveaway and please thank Diane Hammond too.

djp @ 11:00 pm

my niece will love this

Gary Osborn @ 11:06 pm

Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!

Danielle @ 11:47 pm

I'd love to read it. I'm currently an English major in college, and I am always looking for recommendations from fellow English majors!

September 26, 2008

Sylvia Belle @ 12:09 am

I would enjoy reading this book

Terra Heck @ 1:45 am

I'd like to read this book.

Felicia @ 2:20 am

It sounds like a really good book, please enter me, thank you.

Janet F @ 3:42 am

I would love to win a copy.

Thanks!

Sharon Jones @ 5:28 am

sounds great…please count me in. THANKS

Tiffany @ 10:41 am

I would love to read it!

Cassandra Janda @ 12:46 pm

Sounds like a great book–thanks!

Michele C @ 3:30 pm

Please enter me, this sounds really good. Thank you.

Lori Barnes @ 4:21 pm

I would love to win one of these books. I have always been fascinated with Elephants. I think this is gonna be a wonderful story. Please enter me. Thanks photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

M.A. @ 6:40 pm

Sounds good!

Julie Donahue @ 7:14 pm

Looks very interesting.

amandasue @ 8:22 pm

sounds like an excellent book, please enter me!

Charlotte @ 9:44 pm

Sounds like a great book!

Cindy Ellis @ 9:57 pm

One could never have enough books

Lydia Wilson @ 11:58 pm

Thanks for the giveaway!

September 27, 2008

Bev Iyoha @ 3:20 am

This seems like a very touching story. Thanks for the contest.

Belinda @ 3:29 am

This sounds like a really good book. Thanks!

kari f @ 6:16 am

Thanks for the chance, looks like a great read!

kari f @ 6:16 am

Im also a subscriber!

Renee Jobe @ 6:17 am

Please add me, I love to read!

ouachitagurrl @ 8:39 am

Hannah's Dream sounds like a wonderful book. I've read Water for Elephants twice, I enjoyed it so much. I'm like you…I love a novel that pulls you into a character's life. Those are the novels I remember for years.

Christina Almond @ 10:29 am

Sounds like a wonderful book! I've really picked up on reading recently and would love to read this one!

tim brown @ 12:51 pm

THANK YOU GOD BLESS

Linda Moeller @ 1:19 pm

Pick me please

Peggy Doty @ 3:19 pm

Enter me please.

Gaye McGill @ 6:24 pm

This sounds like a special kind of love story. I'd love to read it and pass it along to others who would appreciate it too.

Michele @ 7:43 pm

Sounds wonderful, count me in!
Thanks!

Jana (sidetrack'd) @ 8:50 pm

This sounds like a great read. I would love to win a copy, but will definitely look for it at the library if I don't. Thanks for the review and a chance to win!

September 28, 2008

John Mizell @ 12:41 am

I would like to read this book

Michele @ 3:54 am

Thank you for the great review!! This sounds like a wonderful book!!! Would love to read it!!

Thanks so much!
Michele R.(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com

Sharon Trimble @ 10:46 am

This book sounds interesting. Would love to read it.

Paula S @ 11:11 am

Sounds like a wonderful book!

Patricia Wagner @ 1:01 pm

Sounds like a book I would enjoy.

Jaime C. @ 6:05 pm

Please count me in! Thank you!!

Chrissy @ 6:13 pm

Please enter me.

L Knott @ 6:15 pm

Love to read-had not heard of this book. Thanks for the chance to WIN!!

Renee G @ 8:47 pm

I'd love to read a copy of this. It sounds interesting.

Karrie @ 9:21 pm

sounds great

william causey @ 10:22 pm

please count me in

R Hicks @ 11:55 pm

CANT WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON IT

September 29, 2008

Deanna @ 2:41 am

I'd like to win! Thanks!

Jacqueline O. @ 3:54 am

Pick me, I wanna win

Elizabeth M. @ 4:48 am

What an incredibly interesting character mix. Sounds fabulous!

Pat Connors @ 6:08 am

I would love to win this. Thanks for the chance.

Amy W @ 8:58 am

I too like books that take me into the life of a person. This sounds great!

Becky @ 9:26 am

I would love to read this book

Marion B @ 9:37 am

Looks like a good book to read!!

Erma Hurtt @ 9:55 am

Sounds like a good book.

Elizabeth Baer @ 10:03 am

I love reading. Please enter me!

Karen P @ 10:04 am

Thanks for the contest ~ have a great Monday.

sarah @ 10:08 am

enter me!

g. l. penrod @ 10:52 am

sweet

Mariann Hudson @ 11:19 am

I would love to win this – sounds like just the sort of book I need to get myself back in the reading habit!

Thank you for the opportunity!

Annie G @ 11:45 am

Please and thank you!

shawna @ 12:05 pm

Would love to win!

nancy @ 12:40 pm

Thanks so much for chance to win!

Heather B @ 1:54 pm

Sounds like a great read thank you for the opportunity!

Linda Pinto @ 2:26 pm

This sounds like a book I want to read as soon as it comes into my hands. I like a book with well drawn characters and I love stories with animals at their core. Now I really want to know what happens to Hannah.