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My Animals and Other Family
- Narrated by: Clare Balding
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
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My Animals and Other Family
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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.
What listeners say about My Animals and Other Family
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Nicola
- 26-02-13
Wow - I'm sorry it's ended
I absolutely loved this book. I'm not a horse fan (in fact I'm quite scared of horses), but the love Clare conveyed for her beautiful Frank (especially) and her other animals made me weep at times. The book was definitely enhanced by Clare's wonderful and heartfelt narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dragoness
- 27-06-22
Loved this book.
Really enjoyed this book. Great use of the animals for the chapters. I watch Clare on the TV and listen on the radio and I feel privileged to have listened to her early life. She's a great narrator and the book just flew by..sorry I've come to the end!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-06-23
Brilliant
I’ve just read this absolute gem of a Biography! Throughly enjoyed it ! Made me laugh and cry in equal measure!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jayne
- 23-04-24
Humour, Love if animals and family
loved listening to this book read so well by Clare . An honest and humorous account of her early years .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 07-10-12
Brillian
This is a lovely book to listen to as Claire Balding's voice is so easy on the ears. She tells her stories so calmly and really pulls you in. My only problem with this book is that I wished it was longer. I could listen to Claire's voice all day and I wanted to know more about her and her family. Excellent listen.
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16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jan
- 19-09-12
Just lovely
I have followed Clare's career and it was great to hear in her own words describe her early years using the clever thread of the animals that have shared her life. I managed to finish it over a long weekend as her story telling and wonderfully written prose just carried me along.
Thanks Clare - it was great!
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10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fiona
- 23-12-14
Best book of 2014
What did you like most about My Animals and Other Family?
The humour and honesty of Clare. Laugh out loud moments with lots of stories of crazy relatives (don't we all have them!) and situations Clare gets herself into
What was one of the most memorable moments of My Animals and Other Family?
The breakfast incident with the Queen
Have you listened to any of Clare Balding’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No, but will listen to her latest book soon.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I laughed and cried. She has a great way with words and a great voice as well. Also ( and importantly) she's had an interesting upbringing with lots of wonderful characters in her life.
Any additional comments?
I'd recommend this book to all. 5 stars all the way!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Claire Robinson
- 13-07-14
Loved it!
Where does My Animals and Other Family rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of my favourites
What did you like best about this story?
I like the way that Clare brought the characters to life with different accents. I also liked the way that she is very matter of fact about the way she was brought up, rather than wallowing in any kind of self pity.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
When Clare won her first race.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
The book made me feel happy. I felt like I cared about what had happened to Clare and all her pets.
Any additional comments?
I really enjoyed this audiobook. I could relate to how Clare felt about the poines that affected her life, as I grew up with ponies myself. I listened to the book in the car on my way to the stables! I have been recommending this book to all my horsey friends xx
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Sally Prentis
- 07-04-13
Surprisingly good
This book surprised me and was downloaded based upon the reviews of others. I have no interest in racing or indeed horses, however, this was a thoroughly enjoyable listen and I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 03-07-13
So honest it hurts
If you could sum up My Animals and Other Family in three words, what would they be?
Honest revealing fun
What was one of the most memorable moments of My Animals and Other Family?
The school stealing
What does Clare Balding bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
She recalling brings her own book to life. It would have taken far longer to read than to listen to.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
YES!!
Any additional comments?
I don't quite know why I bought this - but I'm really glad I did it was truly enthralling. I felt the pain and the joy as Claire read the story. I had to listen while commuting, at work & back at home just to finish the book.
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