At the age of 14, Makbul learns a mahout's (elephant trainer's) skills from his father; when his father dies, Makbul takes his place with Vikrama, the elephant he has raised from birth. But after ten years of working together they are forced to separate. Makbul's journey north with his elephant comes to an end that leaves them both facing an uncertain future. Hathi offers many sensuous visual delights: elephants being washed in the river; the elephants and their riders rolling through a green-leaved, sun-laced forest. Most memorable, however, is the feeling Hathi gives us of the mahout's way of life and of the powerful, intelligent, and gentle animals at its center.-Sidney J. P. Hollister