"The Roots of Heaven" by Romain Gary follows the story of Morel, a survivor of a Nazi camp, who travels to Africa in the 1950s with a mission to stop the slaughter of elephants and make hunting them illegal. Morel gathers followers to aid him in his campaign, facing challenges from African nationalists, European colonists, and an American journalist fascinated by the elephants. The novel delves into themes of environmentalism, unrest in Africa, and the fate of mankind, weaving a complex narrative that is both gripping and emotional.
The writing style of the book is highly praised for being well-crafted and detailed, requiring readers to take their time to fully absorb the story. It is noted for its heavy but rewarding depth, with a fine cast of characters that add layers to the narrative. is seen as a thought-provoking read that explores profound questions about freedom, nature, and the human heart, ultimately challenging readers to reflect on the roots of heaven amidst the turmoil of the world.
From The Publisher:
The Roots of Heaven takes as its subject the deliberate and relentless hunting and killing of elephants for their ivory. Morel, a former dentist whose survival in a Nazi concentration camp he attributes to his fixation on the freedom and companionability of elephants, travels to Africa intent on stopping the slaughter. He circulates a petition demanding their killing be made illegal. It attracts two signers: a disgraced American from the Korean War and a call girl described as "just another animal who needed protection." From here things get really interesting-politically, socially and culturally. Morel realizes that action is necessary; a notorious elephant hunter is shot in the buttocks, while a female trophy hunter is stripped naked and publicly whipped. "You never teach a man anything by killing him," he observes, "On the contrary you make him forget everything." He gains a following-some drawn by his cause, some by political expediency, some by a need to believe in something, anything, bigger than themselves. He is chased and cornered at Lake Kuru, where a vast assemblage of elephants has converged to drink, and where this novel concludes in a brilliant and memorable climax.
In 1956 this book exploded into the world. A huge bestseller in France, it won the country's most prestigious award, the Prix Goncourt. In the U.S. it was an immediate bestseller.
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