Matt McAvoy Book Review

Exceptionally articulate and hard worked, this is an admirable piece of investigative fiction by Madeleine Dale.  It is also, sadly, an incredibly depressing yet vitally important exposé into the despicable world of endangered animal poaching.  The author knows her subject intimately, and reports in detail on the human, corporate, law-enforcement and political aspects of the trade in, most specifically in this book, pangolin parts, this particular creature being one of the most ancient, cruelly exploited and tragic of all the traffickers’ victims.  There is little sympathy for the practitioners or their customers, as well there shouldn’t be.  In my opinion, the way we treat our fellow creatures is the single most telling feature of our collective and individual character; someone in the book comments on his shame at being human, and I heartily agree.

Madeleine is passionate, and clearly well educated in the matter, and indeed the culture of the Tibetan people, many of whom so desperately want to save the animals they share their home with.  In A Pangolin Slept on Buddha’s Lap, an animal conservationist from New Zealand is sent to Nepal to brainstorm ways with the locals and other professionals and local figures to shine a light on the evil trade, and find ways to stop it.  Of course, cultural and ideological differences make it a more difficult and emotional task than he imagined.  The author leaves no stone unturned in exploring the options and discoursing their merits. 

To be honest, the book is heavy reading, and incredibly wordy.  Scenes are detailed and interaction between the characters in-depth, debated extensively and sometimes repeatedly.  It is fair to say this book feels like a very slow burner at times.  There is a gripping story arc brewing, but it takes a very long time to come to fruition.

The real star of this book is Madeleine’s knowledge and articulation of the subject matter and the backdrop.  She is also a tremendously eloquent author, with an exquisite use of language.  The book is a vast, necessary and hugely admirable project, and it is hard to imagine that anyone other than she could have pulled it off quite so capably.  If you have any hint of humanity in your heart you will struggle not to shed bitter tears at this book, which may well leave you heartbroken, infuriated and ashamed.  But it is still a must-read.  Long, yes – in fact, perhaps feeling a little longer than it should for its relative word count – but I feel we all owe it to the beautiful endangered creatures of the world to educate ourselves in their plight.