Tolog Review: Jamrach's Menagerie

Jamrach's Menagerie
by Carol Birch 
reviewed by Sophia Wilson

Jamrach’s Menagerie by Carol Birch is a historical fiction novel comprised of intrigue, sacrifice, and friendship. Main character Jaffy Brown describes himself as being reborn during his first experience with a tiger, in which he is dragged down the dirty streets of London’s East End. This seemingly traumatizing event is seen as glorious in Jaffy’s eyes because it leads him to Jamrach’s Menagerie: the place where the events of his life will be initiated. Charles Jamrach, the owner of the Menagerie, hires Jaffy to work for him, and it becomes Jaffy’s sanctuary and second home. He befriends fellow employee Tim Linver, but there appears to be a sense of rivalry and contempt to have the top spot at the Menagerie. At sixteen, Jaffy and Tim are sent off on a whaling ship along with expert Dan Rymer and other crew; their mission being to capture a fabled dragon. Tim and Jaffy are still wary of one another, but Jaffy describes the sea “doing things” to people as their relationship deepens and grows. However, when the ship sinks and Jaffy, Tim, Skip, and Dan are left stranded on a whaleboat, their relationships are tested as they face pain and adversity. As a historical fiction novel, Birch’s deft use of simile as well as personification greatly contributes to the reader’s understanding of 19th century London and the tempestuous ocean. 

I experienced a spectrum of emotions as I read this novel. It began with a feeling of magic and joy, as Jaffy began to discover himself and the things that brought happiness to him. I felt the same anger and pain that he felt as Tim continually insulted him and made him feel less that he was. I felt the heartbreak and loss that Jaffy felt when he was forced to leave the girl he was in love with. Carol Birch created a surround-sound of feeling for me every time I opened Jamrach’s Menagerie. 

However, this book may not be right for everyone because it becomes gruesome and disturbing towards the end. A reader interested in love, anguish, and a captivating plot, who can also handle beautifully crafted yet intense emotion will find themselves enjoying Jamrach’s Menagerie.