Jonathan Dunne (1) (1975–)

The Nobody Show by Jonathan Dunne took me a little while to get into, but once I did I found the story captivating. The multiple storylines that you know are going to connect somewhere are a little confusing until they connect. I do think that the author focuses a little too much on the story from the perspective of the main character once the storylines intersect, although that may be an artistic choice to show how Arthur's view of the situation becomes narrower as the story progresses. It show more would have been nice to get a few more glimpses from the outside from the performers as they start to notice Arthur's spiraling obsession and as they make their decisions; you do get a perspective from the townsfolk as they are drawn in to the action, so again I am led to assume that the author is trying to direct your attention to the people who are most impacted by the current action.

As I received the book as a PDF which I then converted to MOBI to read on my Kindle, I did have some distracting issues with formatting that might not be so distracting in a paperback, which might have allowed me to focus in sooner than I did.

All in all, I found the story at times fantastical and intriguing, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories of boring normal people and sleepy small towns that are quite suddenly taken in wild and inventive directions.

I received The Nobody Show through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway. show less

This is my first time to read Jonathan Dunne. I got his book as a member giveaway in Library Thing.

You may ask, is this book talking about a real elephant or just a metaphor? Like the famous elephant in the room?

This story is about Mick Munroe. He works at the zoo and is the keeper of the elephants. One of his charges is Sinbad, a 42-year old Indian elephant which is also the oldest elephant in the world. Sinbad is his best friend. Sinbad listens to Mick's stories and concerns. Sinbad show more according to Mick is a very good listener.

This is a very touching and heroic story of Mick and Sinbad. Mick is suffering from Alzheimer's and a depression that he was trying to deal, after the death of his wife. His only way of coping with the depression is working and caring for the elephants. Until he was forced to retire because he forgot to lock the enclosure and Sinbad got loose. After finding out that the person who took his place was a relative of the B**** in HR and having two hamsters in grade school was the only experience of caring for animals, Mick hang around the zoo in the hope of taking his job back. Then, Sinbad got hurt and what was supposed to be just a visit to his old friend turned into an elephant-napping.

This story talks of desperation and of loss. Mick's deep love and concern for his friend of 30 years--Sinbad, lead him to desperately save his friend from being abused and to spend his last lucid moments with his best friend, before the traitor Alzheimer finally take hold of his mind for good. These two's trek to the countryside turned out to be unexpected exploits of heroism. Their eventful journey and hilarious experiences had made them an inspiration to many.

I liked that the story ended with the unlikely pair as heroes and finally finding a home where they can both live and eventually die free and in peace.

I give this story 5/5 Indian elephants. This is a poignant story told with humor that will make your heart bleed. This is indeed an "Idiot's Guide to Hiding a Humongous Elephant in Plain Sight". Definitely, a worthwhile read that explores friendship and loyalty between humans and taxiderms. This is like the human mind's last stand against the inevitable clutches of Alzheimer's before it finally takes over. Well done Jonathan Dunne!

Alzheimer's doesn't change your personality -- it makes you forget your personality.
- Jonathan Dunne, Hide the Elephant -

Thank you again, Jonathan Dunne and Library Thing for the copy. show less

I have previously read some of Dunne's novels and in one way or another, he knew how to touch me in his own quirky way. I didn't think he could sweep me of my feet again like he did with Hide the Elephant, yet he did! Not only was I pleasantly surprised to meet certain characters again, merely did I know that - with Hearts Anonymous - he would rip my heart out, place it in front of me on the table and force me to face the battles I still seem to fight within myself.

Even though it seems I'm a show more air-hostess in this novel, I am actually Jack: When I lost my son, my whole world came crashing down. I doubted myself, wondered if I could or should have done things differently. How many times I wished I could turn back time!? Everybody had moved on, but I stayed behind and even though my daughter kept me going, time stood still. What if I had known about the clockmaker and his daughter? Would I've gone out there to track down the Count and his time machine?

Either way, just like in this beautiful story about loss, fate, destiny and love; where reality and a fairy-tale marvelously merge into one, there is no such thing as coincidence. Life can be a rollercoaster, but everything happens for a reason. It is written in the stars; you just gotta read them.

I'm very grateful, Jonathan, you believed enough in me and let me proofread this pearl, allowed me to travel to unexpected destinations AND for the kind reminder I obviously needed! Thank you! show less

Do you ever get the feeling all you want to do is give everyone and everything a nicely polished finger - yes… that finger, and get away from it all? I do, Theo did.

There's plenty of references which make this story very real, actual. How often I giggled - understanding very well the seriousness of the situation, I still whispered: #truestory ?!?

The characters reinforce this & give a bit of extra schwung. They are developed in such a way you've got the feeling you really know them, can show more easily relate to several or even be one!

Well, some of them we DO know already! Familiar faces (and places) pass the revue once more. By the way, I never realised how much I appreciated this, until now. It made me smile - and it kinda gave me the comforting feeling of coming home, being understood.

If you haven't read any other of his works and hence haven’t met all , no need to worry! Dunne magically weaves previous stories and personages into the next in a manner it won't influence your reading experience! Hard to explain and I don't have any clue how exactly he does it, but it's genius. Or rather: he is!

Now get yourself a copy, switch off your phone and jive away!! ;-) show less