A stunning combination of magical realism in the spirit of Yann Martel's Life of Pi and a historical adventure novel. The Qing Empire is in decline. The powerful empress has died, and the fate of her zoo is in doubt: the animals will either be sold or die of starvation. Preacher Morgan Carroway is looking for something unusual to attract the attention of the people of the province who no longer trust missionaries. Therefore, he buys an elephant, a lion, two zebras, five baboons, a parrot, a python from the imperial zoo - and sets off on an epic journey to Chifeng County, full of bandits, shamans and werewolves. A charming story with many amazing everyday details that true love and faith often manifest themselves in the most unexpected things and actions.