611aBdiKbWLFrom Audible: “When Monty Don’s golden retriever, Nigel, became the surprise star of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, inspiring huge interest, fan mail and even his own social media accounts, Monty Don wanted to explore what makes us connect with animals quite so deeply.In many respects Nigel is a very ordinary dog – charming, handsome and obedient, as so many are. He is also a much loved family pet. He is also a star. By telling Nigel’s story, Monty relates his relationships with other special dogs in his life in a memoir of his dogs past and very much present.Witty, touching and life affirming, Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs is wonderfully heartwarming. Monty Don is a great writer coming out of the garden and into the hearts and homes of every dog lover in the UK.’I have always had a dog or dogs. I cannot imagine life without them. I am just as much a fan of Nigel as any besotted viewer. In the book I explore why we love dogs and what they mean to us emotionally and domestically. I look back on all the dogs in my life – all of which I have loved deeply and which have been an essential part of my life. So, this is the book of Nigel – but also the book of all our dogs in every British family and a celebration of the deep love we feel for them.’ (Monty Don)”

Available from Audible

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My Review

This was a wonderful audiobook read beautifully by Monty Don himself. I loved every minute listening to his memories of Nigel and all the other dogs in his life. 

I don’t watch Gardener’s World but I have enjoyed other TV programmes with Monty Don, particularly his gardens around the world shows, so I knew I would enjoy his writing.  He has a really gentle manner about him that is very calming and gentle that made this a real delight. I actually book the Kindle book first for 99p and then added the audiobook for £2.99, as I  wanted to hear Monty telling me about his dogs rather than reading myself.

He also talks about the history of domestic dogs and particularly Golden Retrievers. His gardens also feature, particularly Long Meadow, where Gardener’s World is filmed and he tells the story of how Nigel become a part of the show. Hearing about the garden made me want to own an established garden that I could tend rather than start from scratch. 😉

I haven’t had a dog in my life for decades, but this didn’t stop me enjoying this audiobook, as it reminded me of the lovely dogs from my childhood.

I highly recommend this on audio and could easily listen to this again.

This is my 5th book for the 2021 Audiobook Challenge and my 4th for the Mood Reading Challenge

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