Hannah's Dream is about an elephant keeper who strives to give his charge a better life. At the heart of the story is the life of Max L. Biedelman Zoo and the employees, notably Samson Brown that cares for a lone Asian elephant, Hannah. It all starts with meeting Samson on his morning round as the elephant keeper which entails ordering supplies, feeding and organizing rations, and playing caretaker to Hannah's splitting feet using Corinna's, his wife, homemade creams and salves; a story of devotion and companionship between animal and man.
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Then the story follows the arrival of Neva Wilson, the elephant keeper that is going to replace Samson who conveniently refused to retire until another replacement could be found that Hannah felt drawn too. Aside from Samson, there is Brenda, a receptionist, and Truman, an executive, that work under Harriet, the zoo's administrator. It is these minor figures that makeup a great deal of conflict and intrigue of the storyline. Harriet is a woman that pursued a career instead of a traditional marriage, control and pride being two of her main qualities; Truman is immediately taken with Neva from day-one, and Brenda is the simple-minded assistant of sorts that delves into paperwork, ignoring her surroundings.
Unfortunately, Hannah is lonely from being isolated from other elephants and her health is beginning to deteriorate. Samson proposes that Hannah should be removed from display at the zoo and sent to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee; however, Harriet believes that Hannah is the real money-making attraction and refrains from taking action. She is designing a program, impersonating the zoo's founder, Max L. Biedelman, to attract the public and bring-up sales. It is obvious that Harriet is business minded while Samson and Neva are scheming of a way to give Hannah a better life.
A majority of the story revolves around the staff members at the zoo. Truman starts dating Neva, and interesting couple. Before coming to the zoo, Neva had been pregnant and gave the infant to an infertile couple while Truman had a romantic partner as well that left him with a son, Winslow. Also, Samson reveals information and memories about working for Max L. Beidelman herself when she held the contents of the present zoo as a private collection of exotic animals. It is learned that Samson had been Hannah's caretaker for forty-one years. Max L. Beidelman, a woman that had grown-up in Africa and travelled to India, had adopted Hannah and another female elephant and brought them back to to the United States to live on her estate. It is hinted that Max had a lover, Ms. Effie.
Samson is having dreams of Hannah in paradise as if it were from her perspective. He spends a great deal of time with the elephant, having movie nights in her barn and feeding her all sorts of food, Hannah's favorite is donuts. Corinna is likewise fond of Hannah, treating the elephant as her own child. Neva is threatening to leave the zoo due to Harriet's inability to communicate and compromise, however, is unable to let Hannah suffer as well as her budding relationship with Truman.
The story ends with Harriet's program being a success, dressing-up and impersonating Max L. Biedelman while recounting the history and facts about the animals in the zoo; the result being a strong feeling of achievement that is the leading component in agreeing to taking Hannah off public display. Samson enrolls Hannah into a sanctuary, one with other elephants her age and gender. Neva and Truman's relationship continues and Winslow is comforted now by a new friend, an indoor pot-bellied pig. Corinna, after years of being skeptical from miscarrying a child, renews her belief in a creator.
Best part of story, including ending:
I really liked the multiple perspectives in the story and historical value that the author incorporated about the zoo itself.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scene is a movie-night with Hannah in her barn. Samson and Corinna, joined by Neva later-on in the evening, bring donuts and popcorn while watching a black-and-white film with their elephant.
Opinion about the main character:
I like that the main character is loyal to his position as Hannah's keeper.
