杜利特医生的故事 The Story of Doctor Dolittle

杜利特医生的故事
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
休·洛夫廷
Hugh Lofting

An adventurous children’s novel, The Story of Doctor Dolittle is the first book in the Doctor Dolittle series. The novel depicts the many adventures of Dr. John Dolittle as he learns the language of animals and takes on various feats including exotic travel, a dangerous encounter with pirates, and a mission to set right from wrong.

The novel begins with the introduction of Dr. John Dolittle, an animal lover and respected physician, who lives in the small English town of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh with his unmarried sister. Due to an increase in the number of animals in his home, he loses many of his clients which results in a decline of wealth. Even his sister is repelled from the amount of animals in their home. However, one day Dr. Dolittle learns the secret to speaking with animals from his parrot Polynesia, who teaches him the language of animals. Consequently, he leaves behind his unfulfilling job surrounded by people and instead decides to take up a veterinary practice.

This career change proves to be the correct one, as Dr. Dolittle quickly becomes renowned throughout the animal kingdom. Eventually he finds himself on the way to Africa along with his most trusted animal companions to help cure a monkey epidemic. Yet, unfortunate events lead to a shipwreck and Dr. Dolittle and his animal friends are imprisoned by the king of Jolliginki, who is a victim of colonization and for this reason dislikes all Europeans. The protagonist and his escort undergo many adventures in their task to spread kindness and animal awareness throughout. An optimistic and heartwarming novel, The Story of Doctor Dolittle leaves no one feeling indifferent, as Dr. Dolittle risks losing everything including his house, family and wealth for the sake of proper care and love of animal life. Abundant with humor and a fun easy-to- follow plot, Lofting has successfully created a rich fantasy world with vivid portrayals of memorable characters which have entertained generations time after time.


《杜利特医生的故事》（The Story of Doctor Dolittle）是美国作家休·洛夫廷所著的小说。《杜利特医生的故事》共有十二集，《杜利特医生非洲历险记·杜利特医生航海记》只是其中的第一本。

和《秘密花园》的作者班纳特夫人一样，休·洛夫廷生在英国伯克郡的梅登黑德，少年时代加入美国国籍，是著名的儿童文学作家，笔下写的，也是英国人的故事。洛夫廷第一次世界大战期间在战场上他看到人受伤会得到救治，而马则被枪杀，热爱动物的他认为人应该理解马的痛苦，它们也应该有医生为它们救治。于是他塑造出一个住在英国乡村的、能听懂鸟言兽语、能给动物治疗疾病的医生形象，这就是这位后来名声远扬的杜利特医生。VX公众号/微博： iGlobalist