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Doctor Dolittle #9
Doctor Dolittle's Return
, 288 pages, coloured frontispiece, 14 black & white plates, illustrated endpapers
183 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1933
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514 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Lofting
318 books180 followersHugh Lofting was a British author, trained as a civil engineer, who created the character of Doctor Dolittle — one of the classics of children's literature.
Lofting was born in Maidenhead, England, to English and Irish parents. His early education was at Mount St Mary's College in Sheffield, after which he went to the United States, completing a degree in civil engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He traveled widely as a civil engineer before enlisting in the Irish Guards to serve in World War I. Not wishing to write to his children of the brutality of the war, he wrote imaginative letters that were the foundation of the successful Doctor Dolittle novels for children. Seriously wounded in the war, he moved with his family to Connecticut in the United States. Lofting was married three times and had three children, one of whom, his son Christopher, is the executor of his literary estate.
"For years it was a constant source of shock to me to find my writings amongst 'juveniles,'" Lofting reported. "It does not bother me any more now, but I still feel there should be a category of 'seniles' to offset the epithet."
Doctor Dolittle
Hugh 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, (in and around the 1840s, according to a date given in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle). The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts Never Before Printed (1920) began the series and won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958.The sequel, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1922), won Lofting the prestigious Newbery Medal. Eight more books followed, and after Lofting's death two more volumes, composed of short unpublished pieces, appeared. The series has been adapted for film and television many times, for stage twice, and for radio.
Other Works for Children
The Story of Mrs Tubbs (1923) and Tommy, Tilly, and Mrs. Tubbs (1936) are picture books aimed at a younger audience than the Doctor Dolittle books. They concern the titular old woman, her pets (with whom she can speak) and the animals who help her out of trouble.
Porridge Poetry (1924) is the only non-Dolittle work by Lofting still in print. It is a lighthearted, colorfully illustrated book of poems for children.
Noisy Nora (1929) is a cautionary tale about a girl who is a noisy eater. The book is printed as if hand-written, and the many illustrations often merge with the text.
The Twilight of Magic (1930) is aimed at older readers. It is set in an age when magic is dying and science is beginning. This work is the only one of Lofting's books to be illustrated by another person (Lois Lenski).
Victory for the Slain
Victory for the Slain (1942) is Lofting's only work for adults, a single long poem in seven parts about the futility of war; the refrain "In war the only victors are the slain" permeates the poem. It was published only in the United Kingdom.
Lofting was born in Maidenhead, England, to English and Irish parents. His early education was at Mount St Mary's College in Sheffield, after which he went to the United States, completing a degree in civil engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He traveled widely as a civil engineer before enlisting in the Irish Guards to serve in World War I. Not wishing to write to his children of the brutality of the war, he wrote imaginative letters that were the foundation of the successful Doctor Dolittle novels for children. Seriously wounded in the war, he moved with his family to Connecticut in the United States. Lofting was married three times and had three children, one of whom, his son Christopher, is the executor of his literary estate.
"For years it was a constant source of shock to me to find my writings amongst 'juveniles,'" Lofting reported. "It does not bother me any more now, but I still feel there should be a category of 'seniles' to offset the epithet."
Doctor Dolittle
Hugh 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, (in and around the 1840s, according to a date given in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle). The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts Never Before Printed (1920) began the series and won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958.The sequel, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1922), won Lofting the prestigious Newbery Medal. Eight more books followed, and after Lofting's death two more volumes, composed of short unpublished pieces, appeared. The series has been adapted for film and television many times, for stage twice, and for radio.
Other Works for Children
The Story of Mrs Tubbs (1923) and Tommy, Tilly, and Mrs. Tubbs (1936) are picture books aimed at a younger audience than the Doctor Dolittle books. They concern the titular old woman, her pets (with whom she can speak) and the animals who help her out of trouble.
Porridge Poetry (1924) is the only non-Dolittle work by Lofting still in print. It is a lighthearted, colorfully illustrated book of poems for children.
Noisy Nora (1929) is a cautionary tale about a girl who is a noisy eater. The book is printed as if hand-written, and the many illustrations often merge with the text.
The Twilight of Magic (1930) is aimed at older readers. It is set in an age when magic is dying and science is beginning. This work is the only one of Lofting's books to be illustrated by another person (Lois Lenski).
Victory for the Slain
Victory for the Slain (1942) is Lofting's only work for adults, a single long poem in seven parts about the futility of war; the refrain "In war the only victors are the slain" permeates the poem. It was published only in the United Kingdom.
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August 25, 2017
Doctor Dolittle's Return (Doctor Dolittle, #9), Hugh Lofting
Doctor Dolittle's Return, published in 1933, is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle series. The book was published five years after the publication of Doctor Dolittle in the Moon and continues the plot line begun in that book. Lofting originally intended to end the series with Doctor Dolittle in the Moon, but for some reason changed his mind and the book was published. The book tells the story of how the Doctor returns from the moon. The first half of the book covers the lives of Tommy Stubbins, the Doctor's assistant, the family of animals in England waiting for his return, and how the Doctor escaped from the moon. The second half of the book deals with the quest of the Doctor for peace and quiet, so he can write a book about the moon and his experiences there. But the constant demands of his patients make the project impossible to complete, so the Doctor attempts to have himself put in jail so he will be able to write his book.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: شانزدهم ماه دسامبر سال 2006 میلادی
عنوان: داستانهای دکتر دولیتل بازگشت از ماه جلد 11 از 12؛ شماره گذاری کتاب در گودریدز 9 است؛ نویسنده: هیو لافتینگ؛ مترجم: محمد قصاع؛ تهران، محراب قلم، 1387؛ در 248 ص، مصور؛ شابک: 9789643239145؛ موضوع: داستانهای مصور کودکان از نویسندگان انگلیسی - قرن 20 م
پژوهشهای دکتر دولیتل پس از دیدن چهار فصل ماه به پایان میرسد و او تصمیم میگیرد پس از درمان مرد ماه، به زمین برگردد. اما آیا مرد ماه به وی اجازه ی بازگشت به زمین را میدهد؟ دوستان دکتر دولیتل روی زمین از دلتنگی او بیقرار شده اند، و هر شب به امید دیدن علامت دکتر از ماه، همسایه کوچک زمین را مشاهده میکنند. اما آیا سرانجام آنها به آرزویشان میرسند، و دکتر محبوبشان را میبینند؟ اگر او را ببینند چه شكل و اندازه ای خواهد داشت؟ و اگر دکتر بازگردد در روی زمین چه کارهایی خواهد كرد؟ یازدهمین شماره از مجموعه داستانهای تخیلی «دکتر دولیتل» به شرح بازگشت او از ماه اختصاص یافته است. ا. شربیانی
Doctor Dolittle's Return, published in 1933, is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle series. The book was published five years after the publication of Doctor Dolittle in the Moon and continues the plot line begun in that book. Lofting originally intended to end the series with Doctor Dolittle in the Moon, but for some reason changed his mind and the book was published. The book tells the story of how the Doctor returns from the moon. The first half of the book covers the lives of Tommy Stubbins, the Doctor's assistant, the family of animals in England waiting for his return, and how the Doctor escaped from the moon. The second half of the book deals with the quest of the Doctor for peace and quiet, so he can write a book about the moon and his experiences there. But the constant demands of his patients make the project impossible to complete, so the Doctor attempts to have himself put in jail so he will be able to write his book.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: شانزدهم ماه دسامبر سال 2006 میلادی
عنوان: داستانهای دکتر دولیتل بازگشت از ماه جلد 11 از 12؛ شماره گذاری کتاب در گودریدز 9 است؛ نویسنده: هیو لافتینگ؛ مترجم: محمد قصاع؛ تهران، محراب قلم، 1387؛ در 248 ص، مصور؛ شابک: 9789643239145؛ موضوع: داستانهای مصور کودکان از نویسندگان انگلیسی - قرن 20 م
پژوهشهای دکتر دولیتل پس از دیدن چهار فصل ماه به پایان میرسد و او تصمیم میگیرد پس از درمان مرد ماه، به زمین برگردد. اما آیا مرد ماه به وی اجازه ی بازگشت به زمین را میدهد؟ دوستان دکتر دولیتل روی زمین از دلتنگی او بیقرار شده اند، و هر شب به امید دیدن علامت دکتر از ماه، همسایه کوچک زمین را مشاهده میکنند. اما آیا سرانجام آنها به آرزویشان میرسند، و دکتر محبوبشان را میبینند؟ اگر او را ببینند چه شكل و اندازه ای خواهد داشت؟ و اگر دکتر بازگردد در روی زمین چه کارهایی خواهد كرد؟ یازدهمین شماره از مجموعه داستانهای تخیلی «دکتر دولیتل» به شرح بازگشت او از ماه اختصاص یافته است. ا. شربیانی
October 18, 2019
Doctor Dolittle finally returns to Puddleby after having spent a year on the Moon. Tommy Stubbins has been struggling to keep the Doctor's household running in his absence, caring for the animals and the Doctor's beautiful garden. The Doctor returns with pages and notebooks full of scientific notes and information which he wants to use to write his great book about his experiences on the Moon.
Every book in this series just gets better and better! I am always fascinated by the Doctor's character. He is so energetic and intelligent and kind. Tommy is just adorable, and a very capable assistant for the Doctor. The story is hilarious, and I loved all the funny situations the animals get into. Each plot line is so imaginative and interesting!
Every book in this series just gets better and better! I am always fascinated by the Doctor's character. He is so energetic and intelligent and kind. Tommy is just adorable, and a very capable assistant for the Doctor. The story is hilarious, and I loved all the funny situations the animals get into. Each plot line is so imaginative and interesting!
June 23, 2022
This movie is extraordinary excellent, these books are totally addictive.
April 13, 2009
Doctor Dolittle's Return is the ninth book in Hugh Lofting's classic Doctor Dolittle series. Remarkably, it features some of the most memorable and funniest moments of the whole series. That's a rare thing in a long series!
The book directly continues the plot line begun in the preceeding book, Doctor Dolittle in the Moon. It should be noted that Lofting originally intended to end the series with that book, but for some reason changed his mind; five years after the publication of Doctor Dolittle in the Moon, Doctor Dolittle's Return was published.
Almost all the old favorites are here: Polynesia, Dab-Dab, Jip, Gub-Gub, Chee-Chee, Too-Too, Cheapside the Cockney sparrow, Whitey the mouse, and the old lame horse. Not to mention our narrator, Tommy Stubbins, and Matthew Mugg, the Cat's Meat Man.
The Pushmi-pullyu is entirely absent; his presence in the entire series is actually rather slight. He's a relatively undeveloped character, and vanished from view as the series progressed (my son often asked where he went). Also missing, unfortunately, is Prince Bumpo. However heis at least mentioned in the text; he's gone back to school, as I recall. On the other hand, even if he'd been included in the book modern publishers would doubtless have censored him out of current editions.
As you might guess, the book tells how the Doctor returns from the Moon. The first half of the book covers the lives of Tommy Stubbins, the Doctor's assistant, and the Dolittle family of animals in England as they wait for his return; then the exciting moment when he does return; and the Doctor's convalescence, as well as the story of how he managed to escape from the Moon. There are many extremely charming and hilarious moments.
The second half of the book deals with the quest of the Doctor for peace and quiet. He wants to write a book about the Moon, and perform Moon-related experiments, but the constant demands of his patients make his other projects nearly impossible to complete. This leads to what are undoubtedly the funniest moments in the entire series...but I'll avoid spoiling them for you.
The solution that works is both logical and very aesthetically pleasing. And the ending itself is extremely moving, for all that it is quiet and almost anticlimactic. Lofting's writing style developed considerably over the course of the series, and in Doctor Dolittle's Return he brought a greater depth of feeling and thought to his work than ever before.
Although it's roughly the same length as the other books in the series, Doctor Dolittle's Return reads very quickly indeed. In large part that's because it's one of the most lively books in the series; there are no dead spots that bog the flow of the story down. It felt as if the book flew by, far more rapidly than many of the other Dolittle books.
I read the book to my seven-year-old son, Sebastian, and he absolutely loved it - I think it is his new favorite. He enjoyed all the Dolittle books very much, but his interest in this was was on an entirely new level. He had me bring the book with us in the car, so I could read it to him every morning and every night as we drove to and from the train station (I wasn't driving, of course). He had me read it to him in the evenings, instead of watching television. He giggled and laughed...it really is the funniest book in the series, so far.
And, in many ways, it feels like the perfect closing point of the series. There are three more Dolittle books, plus a stand-alone book by Gub-Gub the pig, but by all accounts these are more grim and sad, with a darker view of both human and animal nature (well, Gub-Gub's book is probably an exception, since it's an outright work of humor).
I believe I read the entire series when I was young, with the exception of the Gub-Gub book (which is quite rare). But I don't remember anything past the end of Doctor Dolittle's Return. Is that because the later books were depressing? Or is it that I never read them? I'm not sure. I'll admit that I'm a little concerned, because Sebastian very much wants to continue reading the Dolittle series; as described, though, the final books may not be appropriate for him. We'll simply have to try and see. And if for some reason they're not appropriate for a seven-year-old, at least we'll have the pleasure of reading the first nine books all over again - at least one or two more times, before he's too grown-up to listen to stories read by his old Dad.
The book directly continues the plot line begun in the preceeding book, Doctor Dolittle in the Moon. It should be noted that Lofting originally intended to end the series with that book, but for some reason changed his mind; five years after the publication of Doctor Dolittle in the Moon, Doctor Dolittle's Return was published.
Almost all the old favorites are here: Polynesia, Dab-Dab, Jip, Gub-Gub, Chee-Chee, Too-Too, Cheapside the Cockney sparrow, Whitey the mouse, and the old lame horse. Not to mention our narrator, Tommy Stubbins, and Matthew Mugg, the Cat's Meat Man.
The Pushmi-pullyu is entirely absent; his presence in the entire series is actually rather slight. He's a relatively undeveloped character, and vanished from view as the series progressed (my son often asked where he went). Also missing, unfortunately, is Prince Bumpo. However heis at least mentioned in the text; he's gone back to school, as I recall. On the other hand, even if he'd been included in the book modern publishers would doubtless have censored him out of current editions.
As you might guess, the book tells how the Doctor returns from the Moon. The first half of the book covers the lives of Tommy Stubbins, the Doctor's assistant, and the Dolittle family of animals in England as they wait for his return; then the exciting moment when he does return; and the Doctor's convalescence, as well as the story of how he managed to escape from the Moon. There are many extremely charming and hilarious moments.
The second half of the book deals with the quest of the Doctor for peace and quiet. He wants to write a book about the Moon, and perform Moon-related experiments, but the constant demands of his patients make his other projects nearly impossible to complete. This leads to what are undoubtedly the funniest moments in the entire series...but I'll avoid spoiling them for you.
The solution that works is both logical and very aesthetically pleasing. And the ending itself is extremely moving, for all that it is quiet and almost anticlimactic. Lofting's writing style developed considerably over the course of the series, and in Doctor Dolittle's Return he brought a greater depth of feeling and thought to his work than ever before.
Although it's roughly the same length as the other books in the series, Doctor Dolittle's Return reads very quickly indeed. In large part that's because it's one of the most lively books in the series; there are no dead spots that bog the flow of the story down. It felt as if the book flew by, far more rapidly than many of the other Dolittle books.
I read the book to my seven-year-old son, Sebastian, and he absolutely loved it - I think it is his new favorite. He enjoyed all the Dolittle books very much, but his interest in this was was on an entirely new level. He had me bring the book with us in the car, so I could read it to him every morning and every night as we drove to and from the train station (I wasn't driving, of course). He had me read it to him in the evenings, instead of watching television. He giggled and laughed...it really is the funniest book in the series, so far.
And, in many ways, it feels like the perfect closing point of the series. There are three more Dolittle books, plus a stand-alone book by Gub-Gub the pig, but by all accounts these are more grim and sad, with a darker view of both human and animal nature (well, Gub-Gub's book is probably an exception, since it's an outright work of humor).
I believe I read the entire series when I was young, with the exception of the Gub-Gub book (which is quite rare). But I don't remember anything past the end of Doctor Dolittle's Return. Is that because the later books were depressing? Or is it that I never read them? I'm not sure. I'll admit that I'm a little concerned, because Sebastian very much wants to continue reading the Dolittle series; as described, though, the final books may not be appropriate for him. We'll simply have to try and see. And if for some reason they're not appropriate for a seven-year-old, at least we'll have the pleasure of reading the first nine books all over again - at least one or two more times, before he's too grown-up to listen to stories read by his old Dad.
January 5, 2010
God, I love these books!
Such a great blend of the fantastic and the real world, as the good Doctor, his helper Tom Stubbins and a boat load of animals deal with problems and adventures big and small.
Can be a bit dry and politically incorrect, but keep in mind they were written 70 years ago and just enjoy the magic here.
Such a great blend of the fantastic and the real world, as the good Doctor, his helper Tom Stubbins and a boat load of animals deal with problems and adventures big and small.
Can be a bit dry and politically incorrect, but keep in mind they were written 70 years ago and just enjoy the magic here.
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December 21, 2009Doctor Dolittle's return by Hugh Lofting (1933)
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May 27, 2010Children's
May 17, 2013
Dr Dolittle returns from the moon in a book written long before the first lunar landings. A nice gentle (if mental) read.
February 14, 2019
This story starts exactly where the last one ended, with Tommy just getting back to from the moon. Looking after the animals and earning money to keep the business going, while the Dr stays on the moon, is a hard task, so he is more than happy when after a year, they receive the signal to say that Dr Dolittle is one his way home. But the adventures don't stop there ... at 18ft tall, it takes a while for the Dr to fit back into his life, both physically and mentally. Until he hatches a plan to get arrested so that he can have some peace and quiet in jail to finish his book.
Another lovely story that completely ignores actual science and yet still works. Its funny in places and I love the whole jail episode - who wouldn't be tempted to get away from it all for free!
Really enjoyed a return to my childhood reading this.
Another lovely story that completely ignores actual science and yet still works. Its funny in places and I love the whole jail episode - who wouldn't be tempted to get away from it all for free!
Really enjoyed a return to my childhood reading this.
January 24, 2021
I enjoyed this installment of Doctor Dolittle quite a bit, it really let Stubbins shine through as a great character. The animals were all there and at their usual antics. The only thing that really made me sad and disappointed in the book was the discrimination and disrespect that the author obviously felt about cats. This was remedied in the end, but I felt that for all the messages in these books about kindness towards animals, etc, to have cats be the odd one out was very sad and upsetting. I know it's far too late for anything to be done, but it still upset me nonetheless. 3 out of 5 stars.
July 11, 2022
In which Doctor Dolittle tries to get thrown into jail, so he can have the time required to edit the notes he took, and write the book about, when he flew to the moon and back. Very much a postscript, and from what I understand, written under duress, but all these books are fun, and this one is too.
January 28, 2020
The Hugh Lofting Doctor Dolittle stories are classics that stand the test of time. I really enjoy them and find them clever and enjoyable. I think the writing can be seen as a bit dated but I think it's still extremely readable.
June 15, 2024
And yet another enjoyable volume from Lofting with amusing moments (such as Doctor Dolittle's attempts to get imprisoned). A good volume, quick and easy to read and printed on nice paper (in the first edition).
April 28, 2019
Too funny how the Dr. tries to get put into jail to have a quiet place and time to write his book from his lunar adventures!!!
February 3, 2020
The story of Doctor Dolittle's return from the moon and the aftermath that comes with it! Absolutely wonderful and hilarious!
August 10, 2016
read as a child, don't remember it in particular, though I do remember the first one.
March 24, 2023
(pl.- Powrót Doktora Dolittle)
September 9, 2024
"I always like to have lots of dogs around."
Dolittle returns from the moon and it's slightly more interesting that his actual trip to the moon.
Dolittle returns from the moon and it's slightly more interesting that his actual trip to the moon.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews