The Otters' Tale cover art

The Otters' Tale

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

 Shortlisted for THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE 2017 ‘The best popular account of the lives of otters written so far’ Richard Shelton, Times Literary Supplement

When Simon Cooper bought an abandoned water mill that straddles a small chalkstream in southern England, little did he know that he would come to share the mill with a family of wild otters. Yet move in they did, allowing him to begin to observe them, soon immersing himself in their daily routines and movements. He developed an extraordinary close relationship with the family, which in turn gave him a unique insight into the life of these fascinating creatures.

Cooper interweaves the personal story of the female otter, Kuschta, with the natural history of the otter in the British Isles, only recently brought back from the brink of extinction through tireless conservation efforts. Following in the footsteps of Henry Williamson’s classic 1920s tale Tarka the Otter, readers are taken on a journey through the calendar year, learning the most intimate detail of this most beautiful of British mammals. Cooper brings these beloved animals to life in all their wondrous complexity, revealing the previously hidden secrets of their lives in this beautifully told tale of the otter.

©2017 Simon Cooper (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Animals Biological Sciences Outdoors & Nature Science

Critic reviews

‘He summarizes his observations by telling the detailed story of a mother and her young and the male otter with which they occasionally interact. He does so with the charm of a Kenneth Grahame but with the scientific rigour of modern behavioural science. It is the best popular account of the lives of otters written so far.’ Times Literary Supplement

‘Offers something new, and ultimately optimistic.’ New Scientist

‘Boldly imaginative and with great skill, conservationist Simon Cooper fictionalises the story of the otter family … Cooper's knowledge of otter behaviour is profound, but it's his brilliant storytelling that really brings the animals to life’ Daily Mail
All stars
Most relevant
Amazing. the combination of telling the tale through human eyes observing otter behaviour. Bringing the world of the otter into the realm of human understanding. So many interesting facts about wildlife and nature and then using those facts and taking us on a journey with the otter. I particular liked lushka, kushka's son whom she abandons and his journey and eating the pellets for farmed trout. I loved the descriptions of other species; rats, water volse, the history of the mink. Great book. I will definately listen to it again.

Loved it. Really interesting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Gripping tale of an otters life and the other inhabitants of the river valley. Has given me a greater understanding of freshwater life, otters, fish and lots more. As well as being an entertaining listen.

I learnt so much

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I liked this book so much I am going to buy the hardback copy. Very informative and captivating. I can't wait to get my hands on the real thing.

Loved this!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wonderful and informative book about the otter which charts in vivid detail the lives of a female otter, her mate, and their pups. At first, I found the narrator’s pace a little slow, but I quickly got used to it, and found that it helped me savour each word of the book and really conjure up the images of what was happening. This isn’t a repeat of Gavin Maxwell: this is far more about otters than about the people and tells of the natural lives of wild otters. I was captivated and will definitely listen again.

Fascinating Tale and Great Narration

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great listen great story great all round wish it was longer. ..hope there is a follow up

Great story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews