Bibliography:
Montgomery, Sy. 2001. The Man-Eating Tigers of Sundarbans. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 0618077049.
Plot Summary:
Contrary to myth, nearly all animals are not known to be aggressive enough to attack man unless circumstances prompt them to do so. Creatures that invoke terror in human-kind, such as sharks, bears, and tigers have proven their avoidance of humans unless all other prey are absent. So, why then – as Sy Montgomery wonders – have the tigers in a far-eastern corner of India chosen to attack and eat hundreds of humans despite the fine conditions in which they live? Montgomery explores the tales and facts surrounding the strange happenings, particularly involving the ferocious tigers, in the Sundarbans.
Critical Analysis:
Anyone with an appreciation for animals will eagerly anticipate learning about these mysterious tigers that live in souteast asia. Montgomery provides information about the animals’ behavior as well as the peculiararities of the region itself. The narrative is written in second person, which may make the reader feel invited to join the journey. There are colorful descriptions of the mangrove forests and the variety of other creatures that live in the area.
Montgomery delves into the possibilities of why the tigers seem to be attacking humans. She explores the conditions and climate, the local population, and provides numerous facts that may contribute to the strange phenomenon. The most important idea that Montgomery tries to convey is the fact that the tigers’ predatory nature is actually a natural defense of the seaside forests in which they live. This and other mythological and historical perspectives frame the intriguing story about the tigers.
Montgomery has included photographs of the landscape, the people that live there, and of course, the tigers. However, the tigers featured in the book were photographed in captivity, which is a bit of a dissapointment considering that the entire book is based on the rare sightings of these animals.
Review Excerpts:
School Library Journal: “Montgomery invites readers to journey with her to the region to better understand these elusive animals.” – Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Booklist: “It’s the text, with as many questions as answers, that excites, as a fascinating topic meets a talented storyteller.” - Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Connections:
- Discuss with age-appropriate children (middle school) possible reasons for the tigers’ behavior.
- Read similar books by Sy Montgomery such as: Encantado: Pink Dolphin of the Amazon and Snake Scientist.
- Check out a website devoted to the same topic: http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/maneating7.html