The Story of Dr. Dolittle, Hugh Lofting
The Story of Dr. Dolittle, Hugh Lofting
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The Story of Dr. Dolittle

Author: Hugh Lofting

Narrator: Randal Schaffer

Unabridged: 2 hr 28 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/13/2020


Synopsis

The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts is the first of the classically loved Doctor Dolittle series by Hugh Lofting.
Doctor John Dolittle is a physician living in England who loves animals. He acquires many animals in his small home, but the volume of animals causes his human patients to be uncomfortable and seek out other practitioners. Doctor Dolittle does the most sensible thing in that situation – learns to speak to the animals from his pet parrot, and takes up veterinary medicine instead of human medicine.
Soon after, many animals seek him out and take residence in his home, causing all sorts of problems, but giving Dolittle the fame he needs to travel the world as a special doctor to animals. He begins adventuring throughout the world to help sick and injured animals, and runs into animals and mythical creatures who benefit from his expertise.
This story is charming and has been the basis for many movies over the years. Its humor and adventurous spirit are sure to delight readers of all ages.

About Hugh Lofting

Hugh Lofting (1886–1947) was a British author, trained as a civil engineer, who created the character of Dr. Dolittle-one of the classics of children's literature. After serving in World War I as an officer in the Irish Guards, in which he was seriously wounded, he and his family moved to Connecticut. He was married three times and had three children.

Lofting's doctor from Puddleby-on-the-Marsh who could speak to animals first saw light in the author's illustrated letters to children, written from the trenches during World War I when actual news, he later said, was either too horrible or too dull. The stories are set in early Victorian England. The Story of Dr. Dolittle is the first title in the series. The sequel, The Voyages of Dr. Dolittle, won Lofting the prestigious Newbery Medal. Eight more books followed, and the series has been adapted for film and television many times, for stage twice, and for radio.

Lofting produced a number of other books in addition to his Dr. Dolittle titles. Among his publications are the children's picture books The Story of Mrs. Tubbs and Tommy, Tilly, and Mrs. Tubbs; Porridge Poetry, a light-hearted book of poems for children; Noisy Nora; The Twilight of Magic; and Victory for the Slain, an epic poem and the only work Lofting wrote for adults.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Robin on January 30, 2020

From time to time, I look back at all the books I've given stars to, but never reviewed. I think it I tried to put up a review of each and every one, I'd never get to my own writing. So why review Dr. Dolittle now? Because of all the movies I've seen made from this wonderful set of books (there are mo......more

Goodreads review by David on August 11, 2013

Oh dear. How many of you have seen the 1967 film, or the Eddie Murphy remake, and remember this adorable childhood classic about a kindly English doctor who talks to animals? How many of you have actually read the book and know that it was really, really racist? I mean, whether you want to excuse it......more

Goodreads review by Louie the Mustache on February 20, 2023

I sometimes like to have background noise while I'm running errands in my car or while I'm doing chores around the house. During the holidays, The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting fit the bill nicely. Doctor Dolittle is a gifted veterinarian that has learned how to communicate with the anima......more