Bridge in the Menagerie

I used to own this book. Just re-read the sequel(Bridge in the 4th Dimension). From what I remember, this book led me to buy everything I could find by Victor Mollo, so it must have been brilliant.

There are plenty of instructional "how to" bridge books--books on how to bid, how to defend, dummy play, squeezes, and all that. This is NOT one of those books. This is the first in a magnificent series of character-driven bridge tales. S.J. Simon had some classic books of this type (Why You Lose at Bridge, etc), but the menagerie books go way beyond those of Simon. The Hideous Hog (based on Mollo himself), the Rueful Rabbit, Papa, and the rest are wonderfully drawn, and the hands are a true delight. The Hog hates being dummy, and the Rabbit always gets remarkably lucky breaks. The Walrus is a dedicated point-counter, the Secretary Bird is a dutiful and diligent enforcer of the rules of bridge--enforcing the rules invariably backfires on him. Most of the hands have different options for play, and you'll often see radically different results. As Oscar the Owl, the main kibitzer says "Curious Hand! Both sides can make 4 hearts". The Hog will snarl bitterly about the Rabbit's lucky break "If declarer discovers prematurely that he has the ace of trumps [that card is still in the sleeve in front of the Rabbit] the contract cannot be made". You'll see slams misbid on a 3-2 fit and made. This is a series I reread at least once a year. Mollo has a flair, a finesse (so to speak) and a delightful sense of humor. For educational bridge books, go elsewhere, but for great fun, try the menagerie!

The entire series, headed by this volume, is fantastic. I was introduced to M. Molo in 1969, and went on to buy al of his books in hardbound. While I no longer play, it is a tribute to his skill at captivating the quirks of the table, the game and his colorful collection of players that I have not sold the set even in light of the rather high price it now commands. Just great bridge writing, timeless too.

I read this book 5 times and I enjoyed it each time. One doesnt need to be a bridge expert to like this book. The characters are perfect and probably they cover most bridge players "types".

This book was one of the first bridge fiction books I read when I started to play this game. It still rings true 20+ years after its first release. Mollo takes the reader on a trip to his imaginary bridge club and introduces all the regular players. A must read for any die hard bridge player. The sequeal Bridge in the Fourth Dimension is equally as good.