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The Aye-Aye and I  By  cover art

The Aye-Aye and I

By: Gerald Durrell
Narrated by: Rupert Degas
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Publisher's summary

Gerald Durrell's last book, The Aye-Aye and I, records his final animal-collecting expedition, a trip to Madagascar in 1990, and his efforts to save the elusive and mythical lemuroid known as the Aye-Aye. Prompted by the country's radical deforestation and slash-and-burn agriculture, Durrell, his wife, and their team of zoologists embark on a mission to capture and conserve the species - distinguished by its "giant, chisel-like teeth", "round, hypnotic eyes", and large "spoon-like ears". 

During the course of their journey, they encounter golden river snakes, flat-tailed tortoises, the gentle lemurs of Lac Alaotra, and the Malagasy chameleons. Durrell's exuberant descriptions of the island, its people, and ecology are among his best.

©2016 Gerald Durrell (P)2019 Naxos Audiobooks

What listeners say about The Aye-Aye and I

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Delightful

Of course! The superb vocabulary and astounding jocular spirit with which each of Gerald Durrell’s books is written is profoundly evident in this book. His determination in saving the world it’s animal kingdom is so appreciated. His trip to Madagascar is eye-opening and ear-appreciated. The delivery is astounding. Do read for appreciation of word and animal recovery ❤️‍🩹

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A Wonderful narative, beautifully read. Thankyou

It was great learning about the capture and care of these
Ovely creatures... all of them. I wished I could have been there to have helped in some way. Thankyou to all.

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Entertaining and funny

An interesting book that opens a land to the listener. The author is always entertaining and helps the listener to visualize this unique island as well as the animal in question, the Aye Aye.

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WHAT A ENTERTAINING & EDUCATIONAL BOOK

I loved every minute of this educating, funny and thought provoking book. This is a book that should be required reading in schools all over the world. What a huge difference it would make for future generation.

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love this series of books!

I loved the narrator and the stories are so much fun! I especially loved the duck story. it really made me laugh!

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  • Jay Aitch
  • 10-25-21

Brilliant and evocative.

Completely engaging from the start. I only wish he had written more books in his lifetime.

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  • Mrs. Janice Cowpersmith
  • 10-24-20

pure bliss for your ears

with the most beautiful and hilarious descriptions that leave wonderful pictures in your mind. this book is a welcome relief from today's trouble

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  • LC
  • 10-03-20

Nice, but loses charm compared to earlier books

I enjoyed hearing about this trip to Madagascar, and learning about Madagascar itself.
It was a nice account of his trip but with less charm and magic than his earlier books.

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  • hfffoman
  • 04-10-20

Probably the best book I have ever sent back.

Gerald Durrell was a good bloke. A great bloke. I would love to write a 5 star review of what a wonderful bloke he was. Read his wikipedia page and you will be blown away with admiration. Unfortunately the book is less interesting than the wikipedia page and, much as I felt it was a good book, I got bored half way through and put it away. And that is despite the narration by Rupert Degas, surely the absolute number 1 of Audible readers. This is probably the best book I have ever sent back.

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  • Amelia Woodruff
  • 01-20-20

Utterly enchanting

Much his older brother Lawrence Durrell (one of the great literary geniuses), Gerald Durrell is an excellent writer. His descriptions of the natural world and Madagascar are beautiful and this was a true pleasure to listen to. The performance and narration are vert well suited to the book as well.

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  • Janet Jones
  • 11-23-19

Brilliant!

Yet another brilliant book. I love Gerard Durrell's books I was in hysterics at times. The narrator wasn't bad but not brilliant.

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  • Tishie de la Harpe
  • 05-09-19

Brilliant and amusing

This is the greatest book, so very Amish g I laughed out allowed when listening with tears rolling down my face. It is beautifully naratored. It is also the most amazing story can't wait to read another one,

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  • Josh
  • 06-05-19

Aye-Aye Sir!

The author might be deceased, but his story & the animals he's helped lives on.

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