Book Review: The stories in Elephant Bangs Train are each different and unique as a fingerprint. If they were not so well-written and constructed, it would seem that no two were written by the same hand. But they were, by the masterful William Kotzwinkle, whose words flow windswept through the pages, pushing the reader along like leaves in a storm. And each story is its own story: Kotzwinkle writes of cutting mastodons from the ice, second graders, a Native American and his motorcycle, a developmentally disabled 35-year old, Boy Scouts, psychedelic Euro-trash, a boy and his dog, an angry elephant (title story), the love of a rag picker for the concubine of a Chinese Emperor, racy pulp fiction ("A True Nurse Romance"), the Northwest Mounted Police, a boy and his baby sitter, the world's greatest liar, an aging elephant and his mahout, and more. Elephant Bangs Train has something for everyone. Overall the stories are not overtly realistic, and often read more as fables, fairy tales, or anecdotes from a larger life. All astonishingly well-written. My favorite stories were "Tiger Bridge" and "Elephant's Graveyard." I've purchased every William Kotzwinkle title I've ever seen, and never been disappointed. My one caveat about the author is that at times the stories seem to lack an emotional connection, an inner life I can relate to; I can be amazed at his cleverness and skill, but still not quite reach a fully satisfying conclusion. It's as if Kotzwinkle is almost too talented and imaginative for his own good, and loses a little soul along the way. Still, Elephant Bangs Train is a wonderful and enjoyable read, brilliant in ability and creation. {note: Goodreads lists this as first published in 1969, but it was 1971}[3.5 Stars]
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