Thank You!

February 27, 2014 by Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

I would like to take a quick break from blogging about wildlife and the environment for this post and thank my fellow blogger, Kevin Cooper (The Brit), for his review of Mungai and the Goa Constrictor. I am always really thrilled and flattered when someone who follows my blog actually buys my book as well, but even more so when they take the time to say what they think about it. Thank you Kev, you’ve lightened my day.

Kev’s own website, Kev’s Stuff, can be found here. Kev is an author and song-writer in his own right and shares much of his work on his fun blog. Drop by and say hello. I am sure he would appreciate it.

This is what Kev had to say about Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

“This is a very clever story. Amelia’s imagination and use of animals to tell a story is amazing. I loved the story from start to finish and would recommend it as a must read on any child’s kindle. Children will be mesmerized by this story as they follow how Mungai and Goa deceive the other animals into working for them and giving up their beloved forest. I don’t want to say too much that would give away the story. This is the kind of story teachers could have a ball with in their classrooms, bringing out all kinds of topics about wildlife and forestation in an interactive and exciting way. That’s my vision for it.”

Kev’s review can also be found here on Amazon

Thank You!

January 16, 2014 by Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

I would like to take a quick break from blogging about Endangered Species for a moment and thank two of my fellow bloggers for the new reviews of Mungai and the Goa Constrictor, which I have just discovered on Amazon.

My thanks first go to Peter Schreiner. I am thrilled with this wonderful review by Peter, whose own website is a huge favourite of mine. Peter, a staunch Vegan, writes beautiful, if not very sad, poetry about the suffering of animals at the hands of man. For anyone who has not yet discovered Peter’s blog, Crow’s Head Soup , do have a look. Peter is quite forthright in his views, and if you are animal lover you will love his work and most certainly agree with the sentiments of his poetry.

For the second fabulous review, my thanks go to Kandy Scaramuzzo, an ardent lover and rescuer of horses. Kandy’s site can be found here at Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo where you can learn about the incredible Pie, who is now pushing forty and still, with lots of love and care, plodding around the paddocks at home in Texas.

Both reviews can be found here on Amazon

Another Wonderful 5 Star Review of Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

August 11, 2013 by Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

My heartfelt thanks to author David Rowinski for this amazing review on amazon.

I finished reading Mungai and the Goa Constrictor over a week ago and though I planned on immediately posting a review I refrained, allowing myself time to consider the story.

As I closed the book, I believed I had read a simple fable about the evil of environmental exploitation, but after reflecting I realized her story is more nuanced. She resists the temptation to draw a clear line between humans and animals. Instead, she creates an amorphous creature of desire, Mungai, who allies with Goa, a constrictor. These two approach an array of animals. Seducing them with promises of comfort enjoyed by the two legged, these animals are soon in the employ of these tricksters. This is an important point. As countries emerge from poverty to seek their share of resources difficult challenges will be posed.

Ms Curzon weaves a wonderful tale, addressing pressing concerns with wit, wisdom, and sympathy.

amazon.com

amazon.co.uk

Paperback

Yipee! Another Wonderful 5 Star Review for Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

July 4, 2013 by Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

My heartfelt thanks to the fabulous Paul R Hewlett for this fantastic review of Mungai. Paul is a great writer himself, so I am especially moved by his words.

Awesome and insightful by Paul (USA)

I loved this book. Mungai is quite a character. An unidentified animal, I believe a little bit of Mungai is in every one of us in some way or another. His tricks and skullduggery are something to behold. I loved the message in this story and I think young and adult readers alike will enjoy it. The setting is vivid, descriptive and great (I am preferential to jungles). The way the jungle animals bonded together along with humans proves that we can coexist and work together. I loved, loved, loved the cover of this book! This ought to be a staple in family homes, schools, and libraries across the globe.

eBook: amazon.com

eBook: amazon.co.uk

Paperback on Createspace

Another wonderful 5 star review for Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

June 4, 2013 by Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

Huge thanks to ‘diebus’ for this fantastic review.

Educational and entertaining by diebus

“Mungai and the Goa Constrictor” by Amelia E. Curzon is as lovely a story as it is serious. Written for children and adults alike it should provide a good base for adult – child discussions on the ethics of animal welfare and nature preservation.
With a hint of Animal Farm and The Jungle Book this is a wonderful moral tale about two animals, one a boa constrictor, the other unspecified, and their ploy to use other animals and nature reserves to have an easy and wealthy life. Told from an animal perspective
There are beautiful scenes where animals use their natural abilities to create a mill and constructions and only gradually does it dawn on them what they do to their own habitat and environment.
The characters in the story are well-developed and make the story richer than just a moral tale, which I found quite a relief after reading the blurb. This is unique and intelligently written, exposing the idea behind the manipulating two, the naivety of the animals and the book distinguishes between the good and the bad ‘two-legs’.
Pleasantly sophisticated it may be too much for the very young readers, but could well be transcribed into a picture book with the right illustrator. It is a story and a book worth exploring.

eBook: amazon.com

eBook: amazon.co.uk

Paperback on Createspace

Wow, life is good! – ‘Mungai’ has been given yet another 5 stars!

January 14, 2013 by Mungai and the Goa Constrictor

I have just received the most spectacular in-depth review for Mungai and the Goa Constrictor. My heartfelt thanks to the very erudite Jane Whiteoak for taking so much time to write this review. I hope many of you will find the time and the irrepressible urge to read it.

Select a place..any where in the world and you most probably have heard stories about a pair to be very wary of, like Mungai and the Goa Constrictor! Likely, you’ll have heard them directly, from the innocent victims left strewn aside in their wake. This is a story about nature, reforestation, gold mining, animals both two-legged and four-legged and the most nebulous kind of all… that of the cold and calculating… psychological nature.
Mungai, escapes from a zoo by literally biting the hand that feeds him, to obtain his freedom. Along the way he connects with a self-centered, narcissistic snake named Goa. They instantly mirror and gravitate to the lack of conscience in each other and recognize “possibilities” of a greater future together. They exist in this world only to use everyone that they encounter to their own advantage.
They formulate a plan to exploit a group of unsuspecting animals, promising great rewards in the future, if the animals do as they request.
Having every faith in the pair, the animals work laboriously constructing tables, chairs and baskets out of wood with the promise of hope and prosperity for their respective families. They listen attentively to Mungai and Goa, as the two speak with authority and are quite erudite in their knowledge of the woodland surroundings and little gold treasures. To doubt their sincerity would be erroneous as the animals would have a falling out with their peers and thus be made to look foolish.
Through manipulation and cajoling the two cause confusion every step of the way. The woodland and jungle animals work together in good faith but they are gullible and unbeknownst to them are being terribly misled. Their gold mining endeavours, are necessary to pay for new equipment, used by humans to work at deforestation!
They’ve all been told by the amoral pair, that the “trees are too old” and need to be chopped down, in order that new ones may be replanted in their place. The animals have no concept that they are working illegally and are actually chopping down their own habitat. The two ring leaders start to show a few cracks in their armour however, when they begin to live in loftier and loftier residences. Each move is scrupulously planned, to be farther away from the ‘workers’ each time and with every move they have obtained, through smooth talk, even greater security.( e.g. wolves acting as security guards).
Finally, a very observant crow, becomes extremely suspicious and tries in vain to alert the diligent trusting foreman, the badger. Of course, the badger doesn’t believe a word that the crow tells him, as he has complete and utter “misplaced” trust in Mungai and Goa.
The book is very engaging as one ponders, if this dubious duo will ever be seen for what and whom, they truly are. Amelia E. Curzon has done us all a huge favour, by shining a spotlight on and enlightening us, to the damage done to our society by these unconscionable and despicable human beings. Her insight into this behaviour and relaying this message, through the depiction of animals is truly remarkable. This is an excellent book that would be advantageous and fascinating to read, for all ages. It is a real page turner and I highly recommend this book to all!