Hannah’s Dream audiobook

Every so often you will come across a book that truly touches your heart and for me it was this book, Hannah's Dream. A really beautiful, heartfelt story about an elephant named Hannah and her keeper named Samson Brown (Sam). Sam has been taking care of Hannah for forty one years in a rundown zoo. Sam's love for Hannah is heartwarming and there isn't anything Sam wouldn't do for his Hannah, but Sam isn't getting any younger and his health is beginning to deteriorate. It's time for Sam to find somebody to take care of Hannah, but that may not be that easy and can or will Sam be able to hand Hannah over to someone else? I absolutely LOVED this book so much so that it's going into my favorites shelf. Yes, I'll admit I'm an animal lover, so I do enjoy reading animal stories, but Hannah's Dream was a cut above the rest in my opinion. If you enjoy reading animal stories or just love a really good story, then PLEASE do yourself a favor and read this book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I hugged this book when i was finished.

this book has to be one of the best books I've ever read, honestly, I didn't want it to end. You fall in love with the main characters & can so picture everything actually happening, I want a sequel!!!! Thanks Diane for such a wonderful read!!!

I'd heard about this book on NPR and put it on my To-Read List, so when I saw it on sale I snatched it up and started it even though I have a generally strict rule about reading only one book at a time...I've heard it called a love story, and it is- but the thing I like most is the development of each of the characters right up until the end. I love Miles the pig and he and Truman's budding relationship. I laughed out loud so many times because I felt as though I had known a miniature pot bellied pig at some point and that Hammond has written about him from my point of view. I would love to know an animal as large and intelligent as an elephant and it's very likely that I wont, but that's ok because I feel as tough I have known Hannah.On NPR there was talk of the possibility of turning this into a movie and I must say that my vote for Sam is Morgan Freeman and my vote for Neva is Julianne Moore- I'm still thinking about who to cast as Truman and Harriet and the boys, but I'll let you know ;)

Another wonderful book about an elephant...The characters are beautifully realized. I loved the subtle ironies, like how one character's ex-wife keeps accusing him of being deadly boring while he's in the middle of secreting an elephant out of a zoo. There is much to learn from this book on the art of crafting a distinctive voice for each character.The book is remarkable for a literary adult novel--the characters are likable, and the ending is uplifting.Plus I could believe in the people Hammond creates and the politics that whorl around Hannah the elephant because of the years Hammond spent as spokesperson for Keiko the Killer Whale.

I absolutely loved Hannh's Dream. At the top of my favorites list along with Water for Elephants. You will fall in love withSam, Hannahs' caretaker, Hannah the elephant and his wife Corinna. Every character will live onin myheart. I imagine what they're doing now. Such a feel-good story. The author, Diane Hammond, has truly written one of the best stories I've ever read.

Very enjoyable novel about an aging elephant and her aging handler. I love it when a story unfolds effortlessly and doesn't make you think the author is trying hard to make it so. This book does that. It is beautifully written.

This book was amazing ... I love books about elephants and Hannah was exceptional. How beautiful!

A wonderfully written tale which tells the story of an elephant, Hannah, and her keeper for 41 years, Sam. The character development is tremendous and gives the reader a visceral insight into the true nature of Sam and Hannah. The caring dynamic of their relationship is skillfully portrayed and the reader cannot help but love both characters. Sam and Hannah are surrounded by a secondary cast of characters that further enhance the book. They include, but are not limited to, Sam's headstrong and independent wife, a lonely and desperate zoo director, a new assistant keeper to Sam, a teenage boy with no father or mother that Sam takes under his wings, and a director of zoo operations along with his quirky son. The author proficiently synthesizes their stories with the story of Hannah and Sam. The relationships that develop between some of these characters, to some extent, mirror the relationship between Hannah and Sam. Specifically, all the relationships written about poignantly demonstrate complex concepts of love, devotion, commitment and selflessness. In the end, these concepts will lead to the triumphant effectuation and realization of Hannah's dream..and leave you with a tear or two.

This is truly one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read, I didn't want it to come to an end. Somewhat reminiscent of "Water for Elephants" or the children's novel "The One and Only Ivan". The story is about an aging elephant, Hannah, and her aging caretaker, Sam, they have been together for 41 years and Sam has passed on retirement twice because he worries what will happen to his "baby" when he's gone and will not leave until he knows she will be safe and well cared for. It is simple story about love, doing the right thing, and the art of letting go. An excellent book with lovable and well developed characters, this is one that I will always remember.

I really enjoyed "Hannah's Dream." I became very involved with all the characters and was charmed by them and how their relationships evolved. They all care deeply about Hannah, the aging elephant in a run down zoo and work together to assure the remainder of her life is lived peacefully. The characters are all lovable (except one) and the story is wonderful. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to get lost between the pages of a truly lovely story.

This book was amazing. There isn't a lot more to say about it. She captured what all of us who work with animals already know about how brilliant they are, and how very like us... Beautiful. Every animal lover should read this.

Hannah is an aging elephant at the Max L. Biedelman Zoo in Washington state. She has been cared for by Sam Brown for 41 years. Sam's diabetic feet are ulcerated which really connects him with Hannah as she has a constant abscess from her nightly shackles. Due to Sam's age and condition, he needs to retire. But what will become of Hannah? Sam is her one true friend. She has not been around another elephant for years. Surely, without placing her among other elephants, she will die. A wonderful group of caring individuals, Neva the new elephant caretaker, Truman, the zoo's administrative assistant, his son Winslow, Neva's off-the-wall artistic landlord, Johnson Johnson, Truman's parents and Sam's lovable wife Corinna unite to find help for Hannah before it is too late. Their opposition is the new zoo's administrator, Harriet Saul who runs the zoo like a drill sergeant and has taken to becoming the original owner Maxine Biedelman to increase zoo attendance. She needs Hannah or else the zoo becomes just a collection of hooved animals with a few primates thrown in. As you can tell, I loved the cast of characters in this book. I loved the description of the zoo and Hammond's word choice. I loved the drama and the way the characters connected and supported each other.

I am going to enjoy recommending this book to lots of people. Hannah's zookeeper needs to retire due to his health but after 41 years together, the elephant will die without him. A new zookeeper comes on the picture and convinces him to help get Hannah to a new home with a new herd. A gentle read--easy to recommend to anyone. This story was inspired by Keiko the killer whale and its journey from captivity to the Antarctic. This is a good Water for Elephants readalike.Hannah's Dream

It's all about soulExcellent character development in a sweet multilevel love story.Sam and Hannah a love story for the ages. They have been together for 41 years, never mind that Sam is an ailing 68 year old caretaker of Hannah a declining elephant. Their love and devotion is as strong and heartwarming as any I've read about.I appreciated that the author chose to focus on the important aspects of the characters: heart, steadfastness, fears, generosity, while the less important aspects (race, sexual orientation, etc) are left to be gleaned a long the way if at all.I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from this author.

In Hannah's Dream, author Diane Hammond takes a snippet of news footage about an aging elephant and her keeper and expands it into a marvelous novel. Hammond creates a vibrant and believable cast of characters to fill her fictional world not the least of which is the amazing elephant Hannah whose uncertain future is pivotal to the story. I was quickly and completley absorbed by the story and so will any reader who has ever looked into the eyes of an animal and seen a familiar soul looking back.