Shammoo of the North

Shammoo is a carefree young polar bear who one day encounters an ancient and near-blind Inuit out on the tundra. After sharing the Inuit's excellent provisions and remaining few hours of life, the bear rounds off the acquaintance by feasting on his late friend's remains. In retribution, the Inuit's relatives declare him the target of a vendetta. Hounded from his native land, Shammoo embarks a gigantic iceberg in a desperate attempt to gain the shores of the fabled lucky iceberg, a.k.a. Australia, where he hopes to begin his life anew as a climate-change refugee. Unfortunately, a small but critical error in navigation lands him on the adjacent continental landmass of B'gandia, a.k.a. the lucky paddock.

After passing the country's stringent refugee-screening measures, Shammoo is permitted to take up residence in B'gandia. There, he makes the acquaintance of a succession of individuals and personalities that lead him to question whether the lucky paddock is indeed deserving of its cheerful sobriquet.

A tale of innocence corrupted, of obsession and unnatural appetite, Shammoo of the North is a riveting drama, exploring rage, destiny, gastronomy and the deepest questions of moral relevance, as well as issues of vital importance to the environment. This is truly a book with a message, and eminently suitable for reading on the porcelain throne. Please recycle.