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The Golden Mole

By: Katherine Rundell, Talya Baldwin
Narrated by: Lenny Henry
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Summary

The world is more astonishing, more miraculous and more wonderful than our wildest imaginings. In this passionately persuasive and sharply funny book, Katherine Rundell tells us how and why.

A swift flies two million kilometres in its lifetime. That's far enough to get to the moon and back twice over - and then once more to the moon. A pangolin keeps its tongue furled in a pouch by its hip, a Greenland shark can live five hundred years, a wombat once inspired a love poem.

©2022 Faber & Faber (P)2022 Faber & Faber
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Critic reviews

"A rare and magical book. I didn't want it to end." (Bill Bryson)

"Rundell is the real deal, a writer of boundless gifts and extraordinary imaginative power." (Observer)

"Rundell's pen is gold-tipped." (Sunday Times)

What listeners say about The Golden Mole

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Original, engaging, informative, humorous, passionate.

Having read the article in the FT about the author I was keen to listen to the book ASAP.

It’s a great listen - a celebration of some remarkable creatures on a remarkable planet. The tone is very personal too which makes it particularly engaging.

I loved all the literary snippets (Moby Dick, Ovid, Ted Hughes…) as well as the mythical links.
It reminded me of the Radio 4 The Unbelievable Truth - but this is all true. It would make a great TV series.

It’s aimed at adults but I’m a teacher and will start budgeting (and pleading) to buy 140 copies of the paperback for my year 9 (age 14) students.
Thank you Katherine (and Lennie Henry) for a great listen.

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5 people found this helpful

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Lovely book

Great comfort read, I’m a huge fan of animals and this was just fascinating, with such interesting facts about the creatures in this book! Loved it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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stunning and startling book

A beautifully curated and narrated rundown of some of the world's most intriguing creatures.
wonderfully formatted and easy-to-follow heartbreaking in places in lightning in others a terrific journey. I have just this minute finished it and I'm about to start it over I feel this will be a book that keeps on giving with each listen.
thank you katherine for your efforts compiling this.

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2 people found this helpful

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Fascinating Story Utterly Spoiled by Narration

Rather excellent and fascinating story. Each section tells us something remarkable and humorous about a particular species or group of animals.

Sadly, the narration is terrible: Fast and inarticulate to the point that I can't follow the audiobook. Does nobody actually listen to these recordings before they're released? Words should sound as if they contain vowels, not just consonants.

I purchased the audiobook but need to actually read the paperback to complete the book. I'll request a refund from Audible.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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Subject matter

I’m a fan of Lenny Henry so it was strange to find his reading so disappointing. He was only good at the occasional voices. I thought his narration was in need of much better directing.

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1 person found this helpful