The Elephant's Journey

Book Review

«The Elephant's Journey» by José Saramago is a captivating novel that transports the reader to the 16th century when the Portuguese king João III decides to gift the elephant Solomon to the Austrian Archduke Maximilian II. Critics note that Saramago masterfully blends historical accuracy with elements of fiction, creating a rich and multi-layered story. The author's style, with its long sentences and lack of traditional punctuation, demands the reader's attention but also imparts a unique musicality and rhythm to the text. The book is full of irony and philosophical reflections on human nature, power, and the absurdity of life. Critics also emphasize that Saramago succeeds in revealing timeless themes such as loneliness and the search for meaning through the lens of a historical event. «The Elephant's Journey» is not only a historical narrative but also a profound exploration of the human soul, making it relevant even today.