Dear readers,
I hope that you enjoyed my ‘Hippo Love Story’.
Feel free to add your comments on the book and share with all of us about your feelings.
Love
Karen
Welcome to a New House Hippo
Hi all. Here are some good news for those that do not use social media, and especially great news for those that adopt...
Just finished reading and Loved it! I wrote this for the Amazon review: This is one of the best wildlife stories I’ve ever read. I learned so much from this book and even better, it’s a Great Read.
Did you know that hippos often save other animals from crocodiles, and that they laugh, and that baby hippos play like puppies and frolic like porpoises? The author and her husband, in a decades-long courageous effort to save a group of these “river horses” — and defend their own home and way of life — have had an unbelievably adventurous life. Together they have withstood devastating fires, floods, poachers, political upheavals, and angry mobs. Through it all, they somehow persevere with hard work, astonishing dedication, good humor, and no doubt some good luck. It refreshed my love for animals and renewed my faith in humankind. And I couldn’t put it down. 🙂
Hello Barb thank you for your accolade as the best wildlife story you have ever read, this means a lot to me that people so far only have glowing reviews. Love Karen and the hippos
Hello Cinda
I am so impressed with your understanding of my book and the feelings I had for Bob hippo and for what we are trying to achieve here at the Turgwe Hippo Trust. Your words like so many people not only touch my heart but give me the confidence to continue here. At times Africa is not the paradise that we imagine and you have to really harden your feelings and wear a poker face in situations where you would rather cry. So Cinda thank you for your understanding and I am sure that the hippos that have passed on are smiling down on you right now in gratitude. Madam Cheeky is very happy you adopt her. Love Karen and all the hippos
I was so excited to purchase Karen’s new book, “A Hippo Love Story”. I knew that although it would be a harrowing and gripping account of her fight to save the local hippo tribes of the Turgwe River, that I would have to steel myself emotionally for all the hardships and losses that she and her husband suffered.
Through her words and photos, I was transported to Africa, to the Turgwe River- of beautiful vistas, wildlife, and the majestic laughing hippos that enthralled her so. But her story also shared the darkness that is also Africa- of harsh killer droughts and storms, arrogant game hunters and scouts, vindictive armed mobsters, and callous indifferent locals to the plight of the wildlife and environment.
Karen and her husband Jean Roger are the epitome of ambassadors. Their presence and valiant efforts to save the hippos and wildlife inspired not only the trust and loyalty from the wild animals but also remarkably their protectiveness as well.
“A Hippo Love Story” is a memorable tale not only of a courageous and fierce couple in Karen and Jean Roger but also of Bob, the great Hippo Bull who was so personable and engaging that he made Karen fall in love with him which saved his tribe.
I fear for Karen and Jean Roger’s safety and for the lives and safety of the beautiful and remarkable animals she introduced in her book because they too have become part of my family (I foster Cheeky and am damn proud of her). I strongly encourage people to read Karen and Bob’s love story, to share it, to educate others on how wonderful hippos are, to help Karen with the Turgwe Hippo Trust and honour Bob, Blackface, Happy, and Five and all the others that have passed on to the great Hippo Haven in the sky.
Dear Karen
I bought your book and currently reading and enjoying. I’m deeply touched by your story and your love for hippos. Sadly I don’t have the same historical background mine is clouded with tradegy. The most famous African hippo Huberta was shot by my grandfather in 1931. I would love to contribute towards your trust from the sale of my book Huberta the untold story.
My website will tell you more about my family involvement in this tragic story.
Kind regards
Jean Marx-Engelbrecht
Hi Jean
I actually know a bit about Huberta having picked up as much as I can about her from on line. It is actually wonderful to be in contact and I have sent you an email. Love Karen and the hippos
As a boy – I used to read books every day – sometimes under the bed sheets with a flashlight -so the parents would not notice. As an adult – due to various reasons – i was only reading newspapers/magazines but hardly any books. The motivation to read Karen’s book certainly originated from my interest and love for animals as well as the personal (e-mail !) relation I built with Karen over the last years . I can now certainly say that Karen’s book is fascinating both from a point of view of surprising revelations about Hippo behaviour – as well as the tremendous struggle Karen and Jean-Roger experienced in their successful attempts to protect hippos and other animals in the bush . I can only but recommend this book- it is adventurous / sometimes heartbreaking and very exciting to read .
Ruedi thank you for honouring my book and reading it. It is very important to a first time author to receive comments like yours and those above and know that I have managed to convey something of the reality of this life here with the hippos. I am so pleased that it appears that both men and women like my book, this is for me the icing on top of the cake.
Love Karen and the hippos
This is a tremendous story, and a book you will find hard to put down once you start As a adoptive parent for one of the hippos I had some idea of the challenges facing Karen, but they did not prepare me for the real events as told in this book. In the theme of Dame Sheldrick’s biography and the “Elephant Whisperer” it is story about the bond formed between animals and humans when survival is at stake. Not only does Karen keep the hippos alive in the face of drought and hunters, but she and her husband Jean Roger must defend themselves from “War Veterans” who occupy their land and the land of the surrounding Conservancy. It is an uplifting story of a special Hippo who puts his fate and that of his pod in the hands of a woman who is able somehow to reach across the human/animal divide and open a direct link between them. Just as importantly it opens a window on the forced redistribution of land in 2000. Karen and Jean have to fight to protect the hippos from poaching and lawlessness. As I said a tough book to put down!
Hi Steve you are a hippo supporter but thanks to you our adoption videos get to people quickly and do not have to take forty minutes to send a two minute video from Zimbabwe to UK, USA or wherever. Canada is somewhat faster than here!! I am touched that you picked up the special relationship between Bob and I and your comments are really appreciated. Love Karen and all the hippos
I have just finished reading A Hippo Love Story by Karen Paolillo and feel I must comment. This book is a real page turner. The story moves with pace and the characters both human and otherwise are so well painted without ever being long winded. The fact that this is fact and not fiction makes it all the more remarkable. Having followed Turgwe Hippo Trust’s postings on the internet over the last few years I was aware of some of the beauty and some of the terror that Karen and Jean-Roger have seen over the last two decades, but this book has put it all together for me. I now feel like a privileged friend who has been allowed to see into the lives of some amazing people, and some remarkable animals.
Whatever your views on wild life conservation you should read this book. Whatever your views on Zimbabwe and its politics you should read this book. This is not a book about big issues, this is mainly a book about small people with a big attitude making a huge difference, often battling seemingly impossible odds, but always indomitable. Along the way you may, like me, learn a little.
Thank you Karen for sharing your remarkable, terrifying beautiful story with me.
Dear Mick what can I say to you after such a magnificent review of the book. I think you should take it up professionally. I am very touched by your understanding. Love Karen and the hippos
What a wonderful story this is! Some of us dream of doing this kind of work but Karen Paolillo, through unbelievable hardships and very hard work, love and dedication, has actually done it. Thanks for this book which was heartwarming and inspirational and thank you for giving so much of yourself towards this important environmental and ecological work.
Sincerely Yours,
Karl Peters
Thank you Karl for your kind words and I am so pleased that you found my book inspirational as it is with focus and hope that we can achieve. We must never give up as Nature and animals need all the help that
we all can give to them. Love Karen and the hippos
I would suggest to any author or aspiring writer to contact Hilary Johnson’s advisory service as I believe it is thanks to Hilary that I am now an author. I am also lucky that she is now my friend as well.
Love to you Hilary and to Darius and Marie, two most beautiful greyhounds the King and Queen. xxx
Hi Karen, your book arrived today and I have already read up to chapter 3. I am so entranced in your world and must now put it down to tend to my animals here. So far it is a wonderful story and I will write a full review when I am finished. I tend to read slowly in order to absorb every thing.
xxoo, Donna
Hi Donna I will look forward to your review Love Karen and the hippos
I know I could be seen as biased, having been involved with this book from its early days, but it truly is an amazing account of a remarkable woman and her extraordinary life. Her love of animals shines through every page, but so, too, does her courage and, of course, her extensive knowledge acquired over many years living alongside hippos of these magnificent creatures and their behaviour. ‘A Hippo Love Story’ is a book which appeals on many levels, for its human story as well as its portrayal of the hippos and the other animals with which Karen and her husband, Jean-Roger, share their lives.
Despite all the trials and tribulations Karen and Jean-Roger have gone through their absolute love for the country and hippos is obvious from this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone as an excellent read. I feel honoured to have played such a very small part in helping to save these wonderful animals.
David Harrison somehow I missed your comment above and I thank you so much for your kindness. Your “small part” as you call it is a mountain of help when you add it to everyone else’s small part. Love and thanks Karen and the hippos