"If Larry McMurtry had written Wind in the Willows, he might have come up with something almost as wonderful and moving as Howard Anderson's Albert of Adelaide. This is a novel that defies analysis and summaries. Trust me. Just read it."—Mary Doria Russell, New York Times bestselling author of The Sparrow and Doc "Will recall the unnerving allegories of Watership Down or Animal Farm. . . a rollicking adventure story and ultimately an exploration of the nature of prejudice."—Washington Post "One of the highest compliments a reviewer could inflict on a novel, for example, would be the sentence 'I have never read anything remotely like this, and I am older than dirt.' Which is a phrase I find that I have to use for Howard Anderson's ALBERT OF ADELAIDE... Unique... refreshing... unforgettable."—San Francisco Chronicle "This debut novel from a 69-year-old New Mexico lawyer is rich in commentary on weighty themes: power, fear, prejudice, and the fluid nature of good and evil. Most of all, Albert is a charming and compelling hero with the strength to honor his convictions while inventing a new life for himself. Readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with shades of social/political commentary will appreciate this."—Library Journal "Memorable . . . lively . . . quick to satisfy with old-fashioned pleasures: action, adventure, fast friends, and unlikely heroes." —Publishers Weekly, First Fiction Feature "Required reading....If you've been searching for an old-fashioned Western with a platypus protagonist, wait no more."—The New York Post "Trust me. You will love this book and will find yourself reading passages aloud to your loved ones, maybe even to the dog."—Hudson Valley News "Remember the poignant beauty of The Wind in the Willows? Take those characters, switch them with wombats, wallabies, dingos, a Tasmanian devil and a platypus, and then give everyone a firearm."—The Tennessean "Charming....Join Albert the platypus on a delightful, sometimes harrowing, road trip in Australia during which many things happen-not all of them good."—Shelf Awareness "Funny, touching, and entertaining. Most of all, though, it's unique. Howard L. Anderson's gun-slinging platypus is a whimsical addition to the tradition of beast epics, and, in an industry sometimes enamored of clichés, Albert of Adelaide is one of the most imaginative books published in years."—Fiction Writers Review "The novel really is at its heart a wonderfully uplifting tale of friendship, survival, and healing, against the most aggravating of obstacles. Once Albert has waddled onto store shelves in paperback, I fully expect book groups around the country to gleefully tear it apart, especially book groups with an emphasis on civic engagement."—Timestage Embassy "The sort of book for which summers on the Vineyard were created...Enough hijinks ensue to insure a sunburn, as the reader tries to get in just one more chapter before having to move to the shade."—NY Journal of Books "A pleasing adventure through the outback that tackles big themes while celebrating both friendship and independence.... Anderson has built a desert world that could be scary for a lone zoo platypus-thankfully, he is never quite alone, and his story will leave readers smiling."—Bookpage "[Albert] is a delightful character who discovers he can be more than an object to be stared at in a cage."—Kingman Daily Miner "Totally original, genre-bending... [Howard L. Anderson has]hit a home run his first time up at the plate...one of those delightful and absorbing narratives that can be taken on a number of levels... You won't soon forget the time you spend with Albert of Adelaide."—Bookloons.com "Howard L. Anderson's novel is an uproarious introduction to the menagerie of characters living just outside our enclosures."—Barnes and Noble "This was one of the best books I have read all year. I enjoyed every moment and hope you will pick it up and join Albert on his journey for self and utopia. And you have to love that cover!"—Pub Writes "The sort of book for which summers on the Vineyard were created . . . Enough hijinks ensue to insure a sunburn, as the reader tries to get in just one more chapter before having to move to the shade."—New York Journal of Books
"The sort of book for which summers on the Vineyard were created . . . Enough hijinks ensue to insure a sunburn, as the reader tries to get in just one more chapter before having to move to the shade."
New York Journal of Books
"This was one of the best books I have read all year. I enjoyed every moment and hope you will pick it up and join Albert on his journey for self and utopia. And you have to love that cover!"
"Howard L. Anderson's novel is an uproarious introduction to the menagerie of characters living just outside our enclosures."
"Totally original, genre-bending... [Howard L. Anderson has]hit a home run his first time up at the plate...one of those delightful and absorbing narratives that can be taken on a number of levels... You won't soon forget the time you spend with Albert of Adelaide."
"[Albert] is a delightful character who discovers he can be more than an object to be stared at in a cage."
"A pleasing adventure through the outback that tackles big themes while celebrating both friendship and independence.... Anderson has built a desert world that could be scary for a lone zoo platypus-thankfully, he is never quite alone, and his story will leave readers smiling."
"The sort of book for which summers on the Vineyard were created...Enough hijinks ensue to insure a sunburn, as the reader tries to get in just one more chapter before having to move to the shade."
"The novel really is at its heart a wonderfully uplifting tale of friendship, survival, and healing, against the most aggravating of obstacles. Once Albert has waddled onto store shelves in paperback, I fully expect book groups around the country to gleefully tear it apart, especially book groups with an emphasis on civic engagement."
"Funny, touching, and entertaining. Most of all, though, it's unique. Howard L. Anderson's gun-slinging platypus is a whimsical addition to the tradition of beast epics, and, in an industry sometimes enamored of clichés, Albert of Adelaide is one of the most imaginative books published in years."
"Charming....Join Albert the platypus on a delightful, sometimes harrowing, road trip in Australia during which many things happen-not all of them good."
"Remember the poignant beauty of The Wind in the Willows? Take those characters, switch them with wombats, wallabies, dingos, a Tasmanian devil and a platypus, and then give everyone a firearm."
"Trust me. You will love this book and will find yourself reading passages aloud to your loved ones, maybe even to the dog."
"Required reading....If you've been searching for an old-fashioned Western with a platypus protagonist, wait no more."
"One of the highest compliments a reviewer could inflict on a novel, for example, would be the sentence 'I have never read anything remotely like this, and I am older than dirt.' Which is a phrase I find that I have to use for Howard Anderson's ALBERT OF ADELAIDE... Unique... refreshing... unforgettable."
"Will recall the unnerving allegories of Watership Down or Animal Farm. . . a rollicking adventure story and ultimately an exploration of the nature of prejudice."
"If Larry McMurtry had written Wind in the Willows, he might have come up with something almost as wonderful and moving as Howard Anderson's Albert of Adelaide. This is a novel that defies analysis and summaries. Trust me. Just read it."
"The novel really is at its heart a wonderfully uplifting tale of friendship, survival, and healing, against the most aggravating of obstacles. Once Albert has waddled onto store shelves in paperback, I fully expect book groups around the country to gleefully tear it apart, especially book groups with an emphasis on civic engagement."
Time Magazinestage Embassy
Anderson's astonishing first novel is a combination of ANIMAL FARM and a moving coming-of-age fable. Platypus Albert, tired of life in an Adelaide zoo, runs away, seeking “Old Australia,” where liberty, peace, and freedom prevail. Narrator David Franklyn inhabits Albert as he seeks his utopia, evolving in the process. Albert encounters colorful creatures and learns to fight, survive, and help those he once feared or disdained. Each wonderful critter—wombat, bandicoot, kangaroo, and more—is aptly depicted by Franklyn, further enlivening Albert's journey. Most memorable is T.J., a raccoon from San Francisco who both learns from and teaches Albert. His American accent adds fun and stands out among the heavy Aussie bush voices. The audio format is perfect for this gem! S.G.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine
Anderson's astonishing first novel is a combination of ANIMAL FARM and a moving coming-of-age fable. Platypus Albert, tired of life in an Adelaide zoo, runs away, seeking “Old Australia,” where liberty, peace, and freedom prevail. Narrator David Franklyn inhabits Albert as he seeks his utopia, evolving in the process. Albert encounters colorful creatures and learns to fight, survive, and help those he once feared or disdained. Each wonderful critter—wombat, bandicoot, kangaroo, and more—is aptly depicted by Franklyn, further enlivening Albert's journey. Most memorable is T.J., a raccoon from San Francisco who both learns from and teaches Albert. His American accent adds fun and stands out among the heavy Aussie bush voices. The audio format is perfect for this gem! S.G.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine