Hugh Lofting – Doctor Dolittle’s Return – Reprint

Author: Hugh Lofting
Price: £25
Publisher: Jonathan Cape, London, UK
Publication date: 1958
Format: Original cloth. Dustwrapper
Condition: Near fine in a very good plus dustwrapper
Edition: 1st edition, twelfth impression

Description: Reprint. Slight fading to the spine cloth. A near fine, tight, clean copy in very good plus, slightly marked, rubbed and creased dustwrapper.

Location: OSR: 002608

Doctor Dolittle’s Return: A Brief Review

Published in 1933, Doctor Dolittle’s Return is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting’s beloved Doctor Dolittle series. The novel revisits the kind-hearted animal doctor’s world after his extended absence in earlier adventures, offering readers a heartwarming and reflective story. Unlike the more grandiose narratives of previous books, this instalment focuses on Dolittle’s reintegration into life in Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, blending gentle humour with thought-provoking themes.

Plot Summary

The story begins with Doctor Dolittle returning home to Puddleby after a long voyage, during which he was presumed lost. His absence has caused concern among his friends—both human and animal—and rumours about his fate have spread throughout the village. Upon his return, Dolittle finds himself faced with a mix of joy, relief, and curiosity from those around him.

While the main plot centres on his efforts to resume his daily life, the book also features several smaller, episodic adventures. These include reunions with old friends, moments of introspection about his travels, and new interactions with the animals and people of Puddleby. The story captures Dolittle’s charm and resourcefulness as he bridges the gap between his extraordinary experiences and the ordinary concerns of his home life.

Themes

1. Homecoming and Belonging: The book explores the idea of returning to one’s roots after transformative experiences, highlighting the challenges and joys of reintegrating into a familiar setting.
2. Community and Friendship: Dolittle’s relationships with his neighbours and animal companions remain central, showcasing themes of loyalty, understanding, and the value of community.
3. Curiosity and Continuity: Despite his return, Dolittle’s insatiable curiosity and love for exploration persist, symbolising the balance between adventure and home.
4. Acceptance and Reconciliation: The villagers’ initial scepticism about Dolittle’s tales gradually gives way to admiration and acceptance, reflecting the importance of open-mindedness.

Key Characters

• Doctor Dolittle: The good doctor is as kind, empathetic, and resourceful as ever, though this book shows a more reflective side of his character as he adjusts to life back home.
• Polynesia the Parrot: Dolittle’s sharp-witted confidante provides her usual blend of humour and wisdom, helping him navigate his homecoming.
• Chee-Chee the Monkey: Chee-Chee’s loyalty and enthusiasm are evident in his excitement over Dolittle’s return.
• The Villagers of Puddleby: Their mixed reactions to Dolittle’s tales add a layer of social commentary, contrasting scepticism with eventual acceptance.

Writing Style

Lofting’s prose in Doctor Dolittle’s Return is warm and engaging, blending humour with moments of introspection. His vivid descriptions of the Puddleby setting create a cosy atmosphere, immersing readers in the everyday charm of Dolittle’s world. As always, Lofting’s illustrations complement the narrative, bringing the characters and events to life.

The tone is more subdued and reflective than in earlier books, which may appeal to readers looking for a quieter, character-driven story. Lofting’s gentle wit and ability to capture the nuances of human and animal behaviour ensure the book retains the charm that defines the series.

Strengths

1. Heartwarming Narrative: The story’s focus on Dolittle’s homecoming and relationships makes it deeply touching and relatable.
2. Rich Characterisation: Lofting delves deeper into Dolittle’s personality, showing his adaptability, humility, and enduring curiosity.
3. Gentle Humour: The light-hearted moments, particularly those involving the animals, add levity and balance to the narrative.
4. Themes of Reconnection: The book’s exploration of belonging and reconciliation resonates with readers of all ages.

Criticisms

1. Simplistic Plot: The episodic structure and lack of a central conflict make the narrative feel less dynamic compared to earlier books in the series.
2. Slower Pacing: The focus on Dolittle’s reintegration into daily life may feel uneventful to readers expecting grand adventures.
3. Repetitive Themes: For long-time fans of the series, some themes and character interactions may feel familiar or repetitive.

Impact and Legacy

Doctor Dolittle’s Return offers a reflective and intimate look at the life of the beloved doctor, providing a contrast to the high-energy escapades of previous books. Its focus on homecoming and reconnection adds depth to the series, showcasing Lofting’s versatility as a storyteller. While it may not be as widely celebrated as earlier instalments like The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, it remains an important chapter in Dolittle’s journey, bridging his extraordinary adventures with his quieter moments at home.

The book’s enduring appeal lies in its warmth, humour, and exploration of universal themes, ensuring it continues to resonate with readers across generations.

Conclusion

Doctor Dolittle’s Return is a gentle and heart-warming addition to the Doctor Dolittle series. While it lacks the grand adventures and dramatic conflicts of earlier books, it offers a richly character-driven narrative that celebrates community, friendship, and the joys of home. For fans of Hugh Lofting’s work, the book provides a comforting and thoughtful exploration of the beloved doctor’s world, reminding readers of the simple pleasures that accompany life’s grandest journeys.

Hugh Lofting: A Short Biography

Hugh John Lofting, born 14 January 1886 in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, is best known as the author of the beloved Doctor Dolittle series. A writer and illustrator with a vivid imagination, Lofting created a magical world where animals could speak and a kind-hearted doctor could understand them. His works remain timeless classics of children’s literature, celebrated for their humour, creativity, and underlying messages of compassion and respect for all living things.

Early Life and Education

Hugh Lofting was the sixth of six children born to John Brien Lofting and Elizabeth Agnes Gunning. His father was of Dutch ancestry, and the family lived in relative comfort in Maidenhead. Lofting’s early life was marked by a love of nature and animals, interests that would later inform his writing.

He was educated at Mount St Mary’s College, a Jesuit school in Derbyshire, known for its strict discipline and classical curriculum. After completing his schooling, Lofting studied civil engineering at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, graduating in 1905. This practical education seemed at odds with his later career in literature but demonstrated Lofting’s diverse talents and intellectual curiosity.

Early Career and Travels

After completing his studies, Lofting embarked on a career as a civil engineer. He worked in Canada, Cuba, and West Africa, often in challenging and remote locations. These experiences exposed him to a variety of landscapes, cultures, and wildlife, broadening his worldview and deepening his appreciation for nature.

Lofting eventually settled in New York City, where he worked as an engineer and met his first wife, Flora Small. They married in 1912 and had two children, Colin and Elizabeth.

World War I and the Birth of Doctor Dolittle

In 1914, Lofting enlisted in the British Army during World War I, serving as a lieutenant in the Irish Guards. He was stationed in Flanders, where the horrors of trench warfare deeply affected him. While in the trenches, Lofting struggled with how to explain the brutal realities of war to his children. Instead of writing letters about the grim conditions, he began crafting whimsical, illustrated stories featuring Doctor Dolittle, a physician who could speak with animals.

The character of Doctor Dolittle emerged as an antidote to the violence and cruelty Lofting witnessed, offering a vision of kindness, understanding, and harmony with nature. These stories, initially intended solely for his children, would later form the basis of his literary career.

Literary Career

After the war, Lofting returned to his family and began refining and expanding the Doctor Dolittle stories. In 1920, he published The Story of Doctor Dolittle, which introduced readers to the gentle doctor and his animal friends, including Polynesia the parrot, Jip the dog, and Chee-Chee the monkey.

The book was an immediate success, praised for its creativity, humour, and richly detailed illustrations. It was followed by several sequels, including:

• The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1922): Winner of the Newbery Medal in 1923.
• Doctor Dolittle’s Post Office (1923): A tale of the doctor’s adventures as a postman for animals.
• Doctor Dolittle’s Circus (1924) and Doctor Dolittle’s Caravan (1926): Exploring the doctor’s foray into the world of entertainment.
• Doctor Dolittle’s Zoo (1925): A heartwarming account of the doctor creating a zoo for animals to visit.

The Doctor Dolittle series eventually grew to include twelve books, written between 1920 and 1952, and became one of the most beloved children’s series of the 20th century.

Themes and Style

Hugh Lofting’s works are distinguished by their:

1. Imagination: Lofting created a richly detailed world where animals had personalities, histories, and languages, brought to life through his vivid descriptions and illustrations.
2. Humour: His writing is filled with playful dialogue, amusing situations, and endearing characters, appealing to children and adults alike.
3. Compassion: Central to the series is a message of kindness and respect for animals, promoting a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
4. Social Commentary: Beneath the light-hearted adventures, Lofting subtly critiqued human folly, colonial attitudes, and the exploitation of animals, making his stories thought-provoking as well as entertaining.

Later Life

Lofting’s wife, Flora, passed away in 1927, leaving him devastated. He later married Katherine Harrower Peters, with whom he had a third child, Christopher. After Katherine’s death in 1936, Lofting married for a third time, to Josephine Fricker.

Lofting moved between the United States and England throughout his later years, continuing to write and illustrate. Although his literary output slowed, his earlier works remained popular, earning him financial stability and enduring fame.

Death and Legacy

Hugh Lofting passed away on 26 September 1947 in Topanga, California, at the age of 61. He was buried in Killingsworth, Connecticut, where he had spent much of his later life.

Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle series has remained a cornerstone of children’s literature, celebrated for its charm, humour, and moral lessons. The books have been adapted into various forms, including stage plays, animated series, and films, the most famous being the 1967 musical film starring Rex Harrison and the 2020 adaptation featuring Robert Downey Jr.

Criticism and Modern Perspectives

While Hugh Lofting’s works are beloved, some aspects of the Doctor Dolittle series have drawn criticism in modern times for their depiction of race and colonialism. Early editions included stereotypes that reflect the attitudes of the time but are considered offensive today. Modern editions of the books have been revised to address these issues, ensuring the stories remain accessible to contemporary readers while preserving their core themes of compassion and curiosity.

Influence and Enduring Appeal

Hugh Lofting’s legacy lies in his ability to combine imagination, humour, and moral insight in a way that resonates with readers of all ages. His creation of Doctor Dolittle—a figure of empathy, wisdom, and kindness—continues to inspire children to care for animals and the natural world.

Lofting’s work set a standard for children’s literature that bridges entertainment and education, ensuring his place among the most cherished authors of his generation.

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