The Story of Doctor Dolittle

The Story of Doctor Dolittle
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Name	The Story of Doctor Dolittle
Caption	First edition cover
Author	Hugh Lofting
Illustrator	Hugh Lofting
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	Doctor Dolittle
Genre	Children's literature
Publisher	Frederick A. Stokes
Release date	1920
Media type	Print (hardcover)
Pages	180
Followed by	The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

The Story of Doctor Dolittle is a 1920 children's novel written and illustrated by Hugh Lofting. It is the first book in the Doctor Dolittle series, introducing the eccentric physician who learns to talk to animals. The narrative follows his adventures in England and Africa with his unique household of animal companions. The book established the foundational premise for a long-running and beloved literary franchise.

Plot summary

The story begins in the small English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, where John Dolittle lives as a respected physician. His love for animals fills his home with various creatures, including Polynesia the parrot, Gub-Gub the pig, and Jip the dog, which drives away his human patients. Polynesia teaches him the languages of animals, leading him to abandon his human practice to become an animal doctor. A message arrives from Africa, pleading for help as a terrible sickness spreads among the monkeys. Dolittle and his animal crew sail to the Kingdom of Fantippo, facing shipwreck and capture by the King of the Jolliginki. With the help of his friends, he escapes, cures the monkeys, and is gifted a rare pushmi-pullyu creature. His return voyage involves further escapades, including outwitting pirates, before he arrives home to financial hardship. His fortunes are reversed when he displays the two-headed pushmi-pullyu in a traveling circus, earning enough money to live comfortably and continue his veterinary work.

Characters

The central figure is **John Dolittle**, a kind-hearted former medical doctor who becomes a world-renowned veterinarian. His primary animal companions include the wise and cunning **Polynesia**, an old parrot who instructs him in animal languages. Other key members of his household are **Gub-Gub**, a food-obsessed pig; **Dab-Dab**, a practical duck; **Jip**, a loyal dog; **Too-Too**, an owl with mathematical skill; and **Chee-Chee**, a monkey. Significant characters encountered during the African adventure include **Prince Bumpo**, the son of the King of the Jolliginki, who desires to be white like a fairy-tale prince, and the **King of the Jolliginki** himself, who initially imprisons Dolittle. The plot also features a crew of pirates led by **Ben Ali**, whom Dolittle ultimately defeats. The fantastical **pushmi-pullyu**, a shy, two-headed gazelle-unicorn creature, becomes a pivotal part of Dolittle's life.

Publication history

Hugh Lofting first conceived the character in illustrated letters to his children from the front lines during World War I. The stories were later refined and published in book form. The novel was first published in the United States in 1920 by Frederick A. Stokes and Company. The first UK edition was published by Jonathan Cape in 1922. The book was a commercial success, leading to numerous reprints and translations. It won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1958. Subsequent volumes expanded the series, with The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle winning the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1923. The original text has been subject to later revisions, particularly by the author's son, to remove content now considered racially insensitive regarding its depiction of African characters.

Adaptations

The book and its sequels have been adapted into many forms of media. The first major film adaptation was the 1967 musical Doctor Dolittle, starring Rex Harrison in the title role, which won Academy Awards for its music. A 1998 comedy film starring Eddie Murphy, also titled Doctor Dolittle, took a modern, loose inspiration from the concept. Animated adaptations include a 1970-1971 animated television series and a 2020 computer-animated film titled Dolittle, starring Robert Downey Jr.. The story has also been adapted for radio, stage, and audio recordings, with notable voice actors like David Jason participating. These adaptations have played a significant role in maintaining the character's popularity across generations.

Critical reception and legacy

Upon its release, the book was praised for its imagination, humor, and gentle advocacy for kindness to animals. It quickly became a classic of children's literature. The series is often noted for its early themes of environmentalism and cross-species communication. However, modern criticism has focused on the problematic racial stereotypes in the original depictions of African characters like Prince Bumpo, leading to revised editions. Despite this, the core character of Doctor Dolittle remains an iconic figure. The series has influenced countless other works featuring talking animals and has secured Lofting's place in the canon of 20th-century children's authors. The enduring concept continues to resonate in global popular culture.

Category:1920 American novels Category:Children's novels Category:Doctor Dolittle books