The Nightingale cover art

The Nightingale

Notes on a Songbird

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The Nightingale

By: Sam Lee
Narrated by: Sam Lee
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

As featured on The Today Programme

Come to the forest, sit by the fireside and listen to intoxicating song, as Sam Lee tells the story of the nightingale.

Every year, as darkness falls upon woodlands, the nightingale heralds the arrival of Spring. For thousands of years, its sweet song has inspired musicians, writers and artists around the world, from Germany, France and Italy to Greece, Ukraine and Korea.

Passionate conservationist, renowned musician and folk expert Sam Lee tells the story of the nightingale. This book reveals in beautiful detail the bird's song, habitat, characteristics and migration patterns, as well as the environmental issues that threaten its livelihood.

From Greek mythology to John Keats, to Persian poetry and ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’, Lee delves into the various ways we have celebrated the nightingale through traditions, folklore, music, literature, from ancient history to the present day. The Nightingale is a unique and lyrical portrait of a famed yet elusive songbird.

©2020 Sam Lee (P)2020 Penguin Audio Animals Biological Sciences Outdoors & Nature Science Celebrity Ancient History Ancient Greece

Critic reviews

"Sam Lee has brought the poetic magic that has long enchanted so many of his musical fans into the written word. Allow yourself to glimpse the world Sam sees, to be part of his love affair with the nightingale, and you will no doubt be delighted." (Lily Cole)

"Sam Lee has brought the poetic magic that has long enchanted so many of his musical fans into the written word. Allow yourself to glimpse the world Sam sees, to be part of his love affair with the nightingale, and you will no doubt be delighted." (Lily Cole)

"This lovely book is almost as thrilling as the bird's immortal song - balm for a troubled soul and a glimpse of paradise." (Joanna Lumley)
All stars
Most relevant
An insight into the Nightingale which is a very very very important message it’s very important

Excellent

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Decided to get the audiobook of this title as I had heard that Sam sings some of the folk songs. He does, and they are fantastic along with the book as a whole. Now to start planning a barefoot trip into the woods to hear the nightingale.

Beautiful voice

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Beautifully orated. Stunning detail, insights and wisdom in the writing. An important voice. Immensely enjoyable.

A gem.

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I enjoyed listening as I have listened to singing with nightingales - Loved it!

Loved it!

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A beautiful gem of a book, touching on the ornithology, mythology and folk song around this magical, increasingly rare bird. Read - and sung - beautifully by Sam.

A gem of a book

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