A Year in the Wild

By: James Hendry

Narrated by: James Hendry

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

Angus and Hugh MacNaughton are brothers. They dislike each other...a lot.

They have loathed each other since Hugh bit Angus at a family picnic many years ago. In a last-ditch attempt to forge a brotherly bond between the two, Mr. and Mrs. MacNaughton secure them jobs at an exclusive five-star game lodge. They manage to convince (bribe in the case of Angus) the siblings to work at Sasekile Private Game Lodge for a year.

A Year in the Wild tells the uproarious, cringeworthy, and hilarious tales of Angus and Hugh in the form of weekly emails to their sister Julia. Their experiences include encounters with guests, animals, female staff, and often a mixture of these.

Combine an eclectic mix of rich, overdemanding and adulterous guests and a dash of crazy bush lodge staff including two jealous brothers (one a bitterly sarcastic game ranger and the other an overeager lodge manager), and throw in the beauty of the African bushveld. Shake well. Conflict and disaster are inevitable.

©2011 James Hendry (P)2016 Audioshelf (Pty) Ltd.

A must read!

I cannot recommend this audiobook highly enough. It had me laughing so hard I had to rewind and even brought some tears to my eyes. The narration is excellent and the story is masterfully crafted. Each of the characters are human, lovable/hatable and feel entirely real. I was hooked from the first chapter all the way to the last. A wonderful tale!

A Year in the Wild

Outstanding book getting to know James Hendry watching Safari Live made the book even better, and listening to it narrated by James brought the book to life

Excellent adventure!

Having been a Wildearth/Safari Live viewer for 10 years now, I've developed a keen appreciatuon for James Hendry - his knowledge, experience, and humor. This book does not disappoint. It brings Africa and lodge life home for those of us who can only dream of visiting the African bush, and is told with an honesty and clarity that can only come from one with first-hand knowledge of the subject. As an added bonus, Mr. Hendry himself reads the Audible version. I highly recommend this book.

Very Entertaining Novel

I almost changed my mind about listening to this book when I found out that the entire thing consisted of email communications between siblings. I'm very glad I stuck with it. I loved it.

Two quarrelsome brothers in their early to mid 20's are sent to work in a wildlife reserve in South Africa by their well intending parents in hopes of strengthening their relationship with each other. The brothers send emails to their sister/parents roughly once a week telling of their adventures and day-to-day working at the reserve. Hugh is the younger brother, and he trains to be an assistant manager at one of the camps. Angus is the elder and is training to be a game ranger. I enjoyed hearing the two perspectives of each brothers' account of various situations. For the most part, this book was hilarious (in a dry humor sort of way). I was really taken aback when I hit a chapter in the book that brought me to tears. Having spent ten years of his own life working at game reserves in South Africa, James Hendry was clearly writing what he knew, and those are always the best works. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend. It was especially nice having the author narrate his work. I would love to hear more narrations by him.

Excellent Read/Listen!

I loved this book and found myself rather upset when it was over. I didn't want the story to stop.

Fabulous, Funny, Touching

I LOVE James Hendry, from Safari Live...his amazing sense of humor, and unique view of life! This is a wonderful, hilarious book, made even better by the audible version, because James narrates it, himself! You will laugh out loud, often, you will fall in love with Angus and even cry tears at several points. Truly a great book if you have any interest in Safari life in the slightest. I can't wait for his next book to be available on Audible and hopefully more books! Thank you, James, best book I have purchased in a LONG time....FIVE stars PLUS!

Hilarious & heartbreaking

This story had me laughing out loud throughout much of it & a bit tearful during the rest. It kept me so intrigued that I drove all the way from the Oregon coast through Wyoming without feeling a bit tired. Filled with life & love on a South African game reserve. His voices & accents are so spot on that you forget that it's one person doing them all.

I'd suggest this to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.

I can't describe how much I loved this.

I just finished listening to the audiobook online through my library, and I didn't want it to end. I bought it to download on my computer so I can read it again later on. I have ordered his second book as well.

Didn't want to put down

Absolutely loved this book, hilarious but heartbreaking at points. Wouldn't be the same without James' narrating.

Captivating and delightful

Anyone who has watched SafariLive and has seen James Hendry knows that James has a fantastic sense of humor and an amazing wit. True to form, as the reader, James brings the story of two brothers defining their relationship to life. Well worth listening to.

Enthralling from start to finish

absolutely loved every second of it. the character development was phenomenal and I could really imagine every scene.

the way it was written made it seem to be a non-fictional title especially as the Angus character seems a bit like James himself

Sarcasm at its best

I loved listening to James narrate his book. It’s quite like listening to him on wild earth. The story itself, is quite endearing, funny and sad. A story of growing up, finding oneself, brotherly admiration and of course the wild life (this being nostalgic for me)

Enjoyable beach read

Read this as a summer beach read. Had me in stitches at times and in tears at others. Having done some safaris it was very easy to follow and to relate to. Loved the South African accent and tones of the author as it lent even more reality to the experience.

excellent book...

a fantastic book filled with comedy, great stories and relatable characters for anyone that has worked in the lodge industry.

Great Entertainment

A rollicking good story. I’m sure the cameos, incidents, and descriptions have a great deal of truth and experience in them! It’s made even better by having the slightly droll tones of the author reading the characters.

Loved it

There may be a few terms that non-South Africans may battle with, but I really did enjoy this book. There are countless laugh out loud moments, as well as one of two emotional got wrenching ones. Definitely a book to recommend and listen to again.