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  • My Animals and Other Family

  • By: Clare Balding
  • Narrated by: Clare Balding
  • Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,067 ratings)
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My Animals and Other Family cover art

My Animals and Other Family

By: Clare Balding
Narrated by: Clare Balding
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Summary

Winner: Biography/Autobiography of the Year – Specsavers National Book Awards 2012

The unabridged, digital audiobook edition of My Animals and Other Family, Clare Balding’s wildly funny and deeply moving childhood memoir, read brilliantly by the author herself.

“I had spent most of my childhood thinking I was a dog, and I suspect I had aged in dog years. By the time I was ten I had discovered the pain of unbearable loss. I had felt joy and jealousy. Most important of all, I knew how to love and how to let myself be loved. All these things I learnt through animals. Horses and dogs were my family and my friends. This is their story as much as it is mine.”

Clare Balding grew up in a rather unusual household. As her father is a champion trainer, she shared her life with more than 100 thoroughbred racehorses, mares, foals, and ponies, as well as an ever-present pack of boxers and lurchers.

As a toddler she would happily ride the legendary Mill Reef and take breakfast with the Queen. She and her younger brother came very low down the pecking order. Left to their own devices, they had to learn life’s toughest lessons through the animals, and through their adventures in the stables and the idyllic Hampshire Downs. From the protective Candy to the pot-bellied Valkyrie and the frisky Hattie, each horse and each dog had their own character and their own special part to play.

My Animals and Other Family is a funny, brave, tender story of self-discovery.

©2012 Clare Balding (P)2012 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about My Animals and Other Family

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  • Overall
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Insightful, honest and exciting

Wasn't sure this would be a book for me but I thoroughly enjoyed it - a great insight into Clare's early life and family - well written and narrated.

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

Laughed and cried in equal measure!

Loved the stories of Frank, and the tale of the sausage missile at breakfast. And I agree, there's no better way to wake up, than with a doggy alarm clock. (Jane & Lili the Manchester Terrier)

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Beautifully told

A good insight into the world of racing and training . Beautifully narrated by CB herself. Well worth a listen. Good.

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

It has it all!

I absolutely loved this audio book Clare tells a great tale - it made me laugh and cry and being of the same generation brought back so many memories of my own childhood. Loved it and would highly recommend it.

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

I loved this. funny, sad, honest a great book.

I loved this. funny, sad, honest a great book. thanks Clare, Frank, Candy and Clare's granny

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

Addictive story and storytelling. Beautifully read

This was the most enjoyable book I've come across in years. Absolutely captivating. I'm looking forward to getting Claire's other book

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

An interesting and entertaining listen

What made the experience of listening to My Animals and Other Family the most enjoyable?

There were lots on interesting anecdotes and funny occurrences woven around real life (races) events that provided a temporal context

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not relevant given this an autobiography

What does Clare Balding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

It's her story, and nice to hear her telling it herself

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Don't think it would rate a film!

Any additional comments?

I bought this because it was the offer of the day rather than because I was particularly inspired/interested inClaire, but it was well worth listening to and held my interest without difficulty. I knew little of Claire other than fronting racing programmes and crafts, so it was interesting to hear the back story, warts and all. Would recommend this as an easy and entertaining listen.

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

So enjoyable.

Such a soothing voice.
Clare Balding has kept me company in my car through both of her books and I have laughed & cried at parts of both of them. Thoroughly good book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining

Loved this book so very much. I'm not a laugh out loud person however this book had me chuckling out loud on many occasions, Clare, thank you so very much xxx

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

Spend Time with Clare by your Side

Would you listen to My Animals and Other Family again? Why?

Yes I would definately Listen again.

What did you like best about this story?

The way in which it flowed from Chapter to chapter Couldn't wait for next one hated leaving previous one.

Have you listened to any of Clare Balding’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No not listened to any others. Only recently got Audible. Clare is on my Wish list if there are any others by her.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Love Laugh and Cry with Clare.

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