All the animals aren't in the zoo
Campbell writes about a Chicago character, Jimmy Flannery, who works for the
city as a sewer inspector. Both in the sewers and out of them, he meets
some intriguing critters from time to time (hence the "dog", "gorilla", and "alligator" in
the title). The best part of Campbell's series is his focus on the
loyalty Jimmy has to his co-workers, his building occupants, his party
constituents, his Democratic party honchos, and especially to himself.
These are good stories about what it means to do ones best for everyone
involved, including himself. The side characterizations of the folks in
his building, his work place, his political party, his opponents, are
well constructed, and I found myself thinking of folks I knew who were
"just like that". Not everybody is likeable or lovable, but then who
is? The books, like Jimmy, are friendly and approachable, written is a
relatively simple style, and worth the time spent enjoying them.