The Breaking

By: Irma Gold

Narrated by: Taryn Ryan

Hannah Bird has just arrived in Thailand. Disoriented and out of her depth, she meets Deven, a fierce and gutsy Australian expat who sweeps her into thrilling adventures rescuing elephants.

As they head deeper and deeper into the fraught world of elephant tourism, their lives become tangled in ways Hannah never imagined. But how far will they go to save a life?

Hannah is about to make a critical decision from which there will be no turning back, with shattering consequences.

The Breaking is an extraordinary debut. Sharply observed and richly vivid, it is an intensely moving story about the magnetic bond between two young women and the enduring cost of animal exploitation. It is at once devastating and exhilarating, and ultimately transformative.

©2021 Irma Gold (P)2021 W F Howes

Critic reviews

"Evocative and urgent, The Breaking shows Gold's talent and heart." (Kate Mildenhall, author of The Mother Fault)

"Bold, passionate and fierce. A plea against powerlessness and indifference. I loved every minute." (Karen Viggers, author of The Orchardist's Daughter)

"Heart-stopping, unforgettable. The Breaking will blow your mind." (Angela Savage, author of Mother of Pearl)

Engaging and intentional

Engaging from the very first sentence, with incredible narration and authentic characters. Best of all, the story dealt with an animal rights issue, exposing the hidden cruelties behind producing a tame elephant, so I was being educated not just entertained. The author explored this complex subject with nuance and skill, with the main characters embodying the tension between animal welfare and animal rights perspectives.