Words for Elephant Man


Book Description

Kenneth Sherman's collection Words for Elephant Man delves into the fascinating life of Joseph Merrick, the titular `Elephant Man' who came to prominence as a sideshow curiosity in England in the late nineteenth century. Sherman's spare, captivating verse gives a voice to Merrick's fraught and complex existence, and couples it with a genuine compassion quite distant from the chill of a gawking public.




Words for Elephant Man


Book Description

‘Man is a / fascinating animal’, Kenneth Sherman writes, and it is this fascination that drives the narrative in Words for Elephant Man. Written in the voice of Joseph Merrick, the ‘Elephant Man’ plagued with a disfiguring condition that ravaged much of his body, Sherman reveals his subject to be more than just a living fascination. Sherman’s Merrick, acutely observant, is equally fascinated by those around him. Using found lines from historical record interwoven with his own beautifully rendered verse, Sherman’s collection triumphs as a haunting, eloquent portrait of a man whose body was both disabler and enabler, a man who was both a commodity and a salesman, mechanical and organic, and whose extraordinary circumstances overshadowed the remarkably ordinary desires he shared with humanity. Sherman’s Merrick is observant, clever and authentic, and possessed of a voice that resonates through the years and into the hearts and minds of readers.




The Elephant Man


Book Description




The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences


Book Description

Step into the extraordinary world of human resilience with Frederick Treves's poignant memoir, "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences." This captivating collection shares the author's experiences with Joseph Merrick, known as the Elephant Man, and offers a glimpse into the lives of remarkable individuals who defied societal norms. As Treves recounts his time with Merrick, readers are invited to explore themes of compassion, dignity, and the complexities of human existence. The emotional depth of these reminiscences challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of beauty and humanity. But here’s a powerful question to ponder: How does our understanding of difference shape our interactions with others? Treves's reflections push us to confront our biases and embrace the richness of diversity. Through vivid storytelling and intimate observations, "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences" provides a window into the lives of those often marginalized by society. Treves's compassion and respect for his patients illuminate the profound connections that can be forged amidst adversity. Are you ready to be inspired by the resilience of the human spirit? This book is essential for anyone interested in the intersections of medicine, humanity, and empathy. Frederick Treves's insightful narratives will touch your heart and broaden your understanding of the human experience. Don’t miss the chance to delve into these unforgettable stories. Purchase "The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences by Frederick Treves" today and embark on a journey that celebrates the beauty of life in all its forms!




Making The Elephant Man


Book Description

The true story of John (Joseph) Merrick--a.k.a. the Elephant Man--has captured the imagination of generations of audiences, critics, actors and filmmakers. In 1978, producer Jonathan Sanger received a screenplay from two unknown writers about a hideously disfigured man who refused to fall victim to despair and instead exemplified human dignity. Reading it (twice), Sanger was determined that Merrick's story would be told. This book is Sanger's unvarnished first-person account of how The Elephant Man (1980) was made. His adventure in filmmaking--itself a study in triumph over despair--involved special effects nightmares, scheduling conflicts, location issues and many risky decisions. Assembling a team that included Mel Brooks (executive producer), David Lynch (director) and actors John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, Sanger persevered in making this inspiring, award-winning film.




Elephant Man


Book Description

“An enthralling and luminous play” about the nineteenth-century man whose physical deformity doomed him to the life of an outcast: “haunting [and] splendid” (The New York Times). The Elephant Man is based on the life of John Merrick, who lived in London during the latter part of the nineteenth century. A horribly deformed young man, a freak attraction in traveling side shows, is found abandoned and helpless and is admitted for observation to Whitechapel, a prestigious London hospital. Under the care of a famous young doctor who educates him and introduces him to London society, Merrick changes from a sensational object of pity to the urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati. But his belief that he can become a man like any other is a dream never to be realized. After premiering in London, The Elephant Man went on to Broadway where it won the Tony for Best Play in 1979. It was later revived in a Broadway production starring Bradley Cooper. “TheElephant Man is a moving drama. Lofted on poetic wings, it nests on the human heart.” —Time Magazine







The Elephant Vanishes


Book Description

In the tales that make up The Elephant Vanishes, the imaginative genius that has made Haruki Murakami an international superstar is on full display. In these stories, a man sees his favorite elephant vanish into thin air; a newlywed couple suffers attacks of hunger that drive them to hold up a McDonald’s in the middle of the night; and a young woman discovers that she has become irresistible to a little green monster who burrows up through her backyard. By turns haunting and hilarious, in The Elephant Vanishes Murakami crosses the border between separate realities—and comes back bearing remarkable treasures. Includes the story "Barn Burning," which is the basis for the major motion picture Burning.




The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences


Book Description

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.




The Elephant Man


Book Description

John Merrick had lived for more than twenty years imprisoned in a body that condemned him to a miserable life in the workhouse and to humiliation as a circus sideshow freak. But beneath that tragic exterior, within that enormous and deformed head, thrived the soul of a poet, the heart of a dreamer, the longings of a man. Merrick was doomed to suffer forever—until the kind Dr. Treves gave him the first real home in the London Hospital and the town's most beautiful and esteemed actress made possible Merrick's cherished dream of human contact—and love.