BOOK REVIEW: A Lion Called Christian by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall

A Lion Called Christian by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall

Genre: Non-Fiction/ Animals/ Autobiography

My Rating: ★★★★★

Goodreads

Goodreads Summary:

A Lion Called Christian tells the remarkable story of how Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall, visitors to London from Australia in 1969, bought the boisterous lion cub in the pet department of Harrods. 

‘A Lion Called Christian’ is a true story by Anthony Bourke and John Rendall and it is incredible! If you haven’t seen the Christian the lion reunion on youtube, the two minute clip referred to above, then you MUST watch it. The book is written by the two owners of Christian, who purchased him from the Harrod’s Department Store in London, from the exotic pets section in the 1970’s, to save him from a life of permanent and (possibly) harsh captivity. The story is full of anecdotes and is both heart-warming and touching.The trials and tribulations a pet can cause are amplified through Christian and it portrays the reality that exotic animals cannot be pets, but can love and be loved. Anyone who loves animals will adore this witty and truthful book, and even if you don’t, when you watch the video, it is likely that your heart will melt. 

There is also a television documentary on the story is anyone is interested but I would highly recommend reading the book. It’s very short, I think about 180 pages, and the wit of the author’s is highly amusing.

Youtube link - Christian the Lion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdNJUVoEQ38