The Golden Mole cover art

The Golden Mole

And Other Vanishing Treasure

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The Golden Mole

By: Katherine Rundell, Talya Baldwin
Narrated by: Lenny Henry
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About this listen

The world is more astonishing, more miraculous and more wonderful than our wildest imaginings. In this passionately persuasive and sharply funny book, Katherine Rundell tells us how and why.

A swift flies two million kilometres in its lifetime. That's far enough to get to the moon and back twice over - and then once more to the moon. A pangolin keeps its tongue furled in a pouch by its hip, a Greenland shark can live five hundred years, a wombat once inspired a love poem.

©2022 Faber & Faber (P)2022 Faber & Faber Animals Biological Sciences Endangered Species Nature & Ecology Outdoors & Nature Science Funny Polar Region

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Critic reviews

"A rare and magical book. I didn't want it to end." (Bill Bryson)

"Rundell is the real deal, a writer of boundless gifts and extraordinary imaginative power." (Observer)

"Rundell's pen is gold-tipped." (Sunday Times)
All stars
Most relevant  
Having read the article in the FT about the author I was keen to listen to the book ASAP.

It’s a great listen - a celebration of some remarkable creatures on a remarkable planet. The tone is very personal too which makes it particularly engaging.

I loved all the literary snippets (Moby Dick, Ovid, Ted Hughes…) as well as the mythical links.
It reminded me of the Radio 4 The Unbelievable Truth - but this is all true. It would make a great TV series.

It’s aimed at adults but I’m a teacher and will start budgeting (and pleading) to buy 140 copies of the paperback for my year 9 (age 14) students.
Thank you Katherine (and Lennie Henry) for a great listen.

Original, engaging, informative, humorous, passionate.

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A beautifully curated and narrated rundown of some of the world's most intriguing creatures.
wonderfully formatted and easy-to-follow heartbreaking in places in lightning in others a terrific journey. I have just this minute finished it and I'm about to start it over I feel this will be a book that keeps on giving with each listen.
thank you katherine for your efforts compiling this.

stunning and startling book

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Great comfort read, I’m a huge fan of animals and this was just fascinating, with such interesting facts about the creatures in this book! Loved it!

Lovely book

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I liked how these incredible animals were brought life, with descriptions of their unique and impressive features. Sadly many are endangered and we risk losing them. Hopefully meaningful steps will be taken to protect them.

Thought Provoking

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Rather excellent and fascinating story. Each section tells us something remarkable and humorous about a particular species or group of animals.

Sadly, the narration is terrible: Fast and inarticulate to the point that I can't follow the audiobook. Does nobody actually listen to these recordings before they're released? Words should sound as if they contain vowels, not just consonants.

I purchased the audiobook but need to actually read the paperback to complete the book. I'll request a refund from Audible.

Fascinating Story Utterly Spoiled by Narration

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I’m a fan of Lenny Henry so it was strange to find his reading so disappointing. He was only good at the occasional voices. I thought his narration was in need of much better directing.

Subject matter

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