by Rudyard Kipling

The next time someone starts going on about an author "telling" instead of "showing", I'm going to direct them to Rudyard Kipling. There's a reason why it's called telling a story and Kipling does an excellent job of telling us about each of the most important characters that populate the jungle in this wonderful classic story.

It is told in the tone of an old fairytale with almost an Old English feel, and the events are surprisingly close to the Disney version. I understand now why the other animals in the jungle stayed away from the monkeys.

The characters are very distinctive and well-developed. I have new respect for Baloo, who was depicted as a buffoon by Disney. The biggest deviation was Kaa the snake who co-operated with the other creatures more than was suggested in the animated film.

While I wasn't overly impressed with the poetry in the song lyrics that were interspersed with many of the chapters, the prose was very engaging and I felt myself drawn into the world of the animals. The primary difference from the animated film version is that Mowgli has much more interaction with humans in the later part of the story concerning him, then his story is followed by other tales of animals, starting with The White Seal. These tales include Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, a tale of a mongoose which has also been animated.

I felt that Kipling has a unique voice that made the reader feel the culture of India where most of the tales take place, although from the animals' point of view. I'm glad that I've read this classic book now and feel that the journey was very enriching.

So here's the thing. I of course have seen the Disney version of The Jungle book cartoon. Also I have seen the cartoon about Rikki Tikki Tavi that used to play I think either on USA Network or Nickelodeon as a kid. I so wanted to live among wolves and buy a mongoose. My mom said nope to both things. So when I read this the other day, I had no idea this version had the Mowgli stories as well as a few others (I did not enjoy) and then Rikki Tikki Tavi. I am wondering If I blanked on the fact that Kipling was behind not only the Jungle Book but Rikki Tikki Tavi. 

Per usual my rating is based on my ratings for the individual stories.

Mowgli's Brothers (4 stars)-So this story tells how a man-cub named Mowgli came to live with the wolves. How Shere Khan stalked him as a child and how his wolf-mother said one day Mowgli would see Shere Khan dead. We also get Bagheera and Baloo who first stood and ensured Mowgli's way in the pack. FYI, I read parts of The Jungle Book in English class and I don't recall the writing or the way that everyone sounds like a character out of the Bible. I used to hate that in English class all we got was excerpts of work and then at the end had to answer questions. So the last thing I remember reading was that Mowgli left the jungle behind and went into the village of men. Or maybe I am getting that messed up with the cartoon. Who knows. 

Kaa's Hunting (4.5 stars)-This is a story that takes place before Mowgli's Brothers with Mowgli not listening to Baloo and getting himself kidnapped. Bagheera and Baloo request the services of a python, Kaa. FYI, I don't like snakes.

Tiger! Tiger! (5 stars)-The last tale of Mowgli and what becomes of Shere Khan. 

The White Seal (1 stars)-I was just bored. I have no idea who any of these characters were and don't recall even hearing about them as a kid. Somehow this story felt all over the place.

Rikki Tikki Tavi (5 stars)-Kind of a jerk, but I loved our little mongoose who kept this family safe and him doing what he could to take out the cobras. I did feel bad though that Nagaina lost all of her young. 

Toomai of the Elephants (2 stars)-I honestly had to re-look this one up since it totally faded from my head. Story about a young boy named Toomai who ends up seeing the elephants dance at night and is praised for it. I wish I had liked it more. Felt like Kipling was going for more of a Mowgli vibe. 

Her Majesty's Servants (2 stars)- The Viceroy of India is set to receive a visit from the Amir of Afghanistan. Various animals end up getting spooked and then talk amongst each other. I read this last before falling asleep and just scratched my head a bit. It also is kind of messed up because the animals talk about being afraid of war and death, but they are forced to be there due to man. But somehow they all march and do what is expected of them and everyone is impressed. Eh. Maybe I missed something. 

Interspersed throughout are songs that Mogwli sang and one of the birds singing of Rikki Tikki Tavi's victory, etc. 

If you're looking for the cutesy tone of the film, or even its recent live-action re-make, look elsewhere, you won't find it here. You might be better off with Winnie-the-Pooh.

I had forgotten that several of the tales collected here are not about Mowgli, or the Jungle or even India in some cases and the Second Jungle Book focuses more on Mowgli than the first. Those non-Mowgli stories are not necessarily bad, though, and perhaps my favourite story from both books is The Undertakers, about a crocodile, crane and jackal. The North Polar story is perhaps second.

There's a detectable tone of arrogant superiority both of humans over animals and the English over Indians that is unsurprising from Kipling, who was very much of his era in this regard, but it wasn't strong enough to spoil the fun for me.

Independently published (6th June 2018)

ISBN: 978-1983052606

Rating: 5*

Synopsis: 

TC is the wonder drug. Manufactured in secrecy on a remote planet at the edge of the galaxy, it makes worlds inhabitable; and Balcom Industrial lots of money. Then, suddenly, the people who need to take it to stay alive start to die! For Layla Balcom, fresh from wresting control of her father’s inheritance from those who would have destroyed it, the news is devastating. Can the drug be flawed? Or is something else going on?  

Review:

I very much enjoyed Ribbonworld, the first book in The Balcom Dynasty when I devoured it in virtually one sitting last year, so Jungle Green was an eagerly anticipated read for me. It was a real pleasure to catch up with Miles Goram again, the central character and unlikely hero of Ribbonworld.

The story piqued my curiosity from the off, the author laying a trail of breadcrumbs but there's no hand holding and leading you from one clue to the next; some things you need to work out for yourself! The plot is interesting and cast of characters varied and well rounded - some seemingly lovely, others hateful! 

Richard Dee has a wonderful way of weaving a way with words, he's a masterful storyteller and I suspect he doesn't even realise this. When I'm reading one of his books, regardless of genre, I'm utterly transfixed and lose all track of time. There could be a monsoon (or anything else) going on outside, I really wouldn't have the faintest idea! I am really pleased to see a prequel is forthcoming, I can't wait to read that!