The Elephant In The Room

In The Elephant in the Room, Holly Goldberg Sloan explores the theme of overcoming isolation through the interconnected experiences of the characters. Each character grapples with various forms of isolation, whether self-imposed or imposed by external circumstances, and ultimately finds comfort and strength through the bonds of family and community.

The narrative begins with Gio Gardino, whose self-imposed isolation following the loss of his wife, Lillian, is tangible. Gio's withdrawal from society is symbolized by the walls of his farm, which serve as barriers between himself and the outside world. However, when Gio meets Sila, a young girl grappling with her own grief, he finds renewed purpose in helping her overcome her struggles. Through his connection with Sila and his decision to purchase Veda, an elephant needing rescue, Gio begins to break free from his isolation and form meaningful connections with those around him. Gio wants to help Sila overcome her grief as he cannot resolve his own grief, which leads him to buy Veda:

He would never forget the look on Sila's face as she stared at the elephant […] Suddenly something shifted inside him and he felt a kind of steadiness take hold that had been missing since Lillian died. Maybe his whole life had led to this.