(This is somewhat misleading as it was actually a good listen!)
Debbie bought a set of books by Gill Lewis. I’d never heard of her before. One of her books is called The Moon Bear. The local library has an ebook and audio book loan service and I managed to get it from there.
Richard Carrington (or was it Nigel?) has a good reading voice bringing the story to life.
The book is about a boy who has to leave his village twice – the first time due to a road being built, allegedly; the second to earn money for his family as the father stepped on a cluster bomb working in a field.
It is based in Laos which is situated between Thailand and Vietnam, this makes for a colourful backdrop. The other main characters are the bears an unsavoury Doctor, an officious General and a couple of friends and family.
The book does have a happy ending but there are a few times you feel it may not. It’s a story about justice and rescue both human and animal.
I did wonder near the beginning if it was going to be a conservation story and it turns out it is (without saying too much). A lovely story of hope but at times very hard to swallow. I recommend it.
I also recommend the library service in this regard too, it’s certainly a cheaper option than buying!