George cover art

George

A Magpie Memoir

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George

By: Frieda Hughes
Narrated by: Frieda Hughes
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About this listen

Then, just in time, before I swung the spade again, I saw, right by the blade and camouflaged by the leaves on the ground, a magpie chick. It squatted belligerently, peering up at me with miniature magpie fury. George.

When Frieda Hughes moved to the depths of the Welsh countryside, she was expecting to take on a few projects: planting a garden, painting and writing her poetry column for The Times. But instead, she found herself rescuing a baby magpie, the sole survivor of a nest destroyed in a storm - and embarking on an obsession that would change the course of her life.

As the magpie, George, grows from a shrieking scrap of feathers and bones into an intelligent, unruly companion, Frieda finds herself captivated - and apprehensive of what will happen when the time comes to finally set him free.

©2023 Frieda Hughes (P)2023 Profile Books Ltd Memoir

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All stars
Most relevant  
A wonderful story of life, loves and being needed. How life and work can be intertwined whilst nurturing wild birds back to health and happiness.

Heart warming

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The story of a baby Magpie saved from death after a storm. The relationship between the author and the bird is magical, funny and entrancing. The background story of the author an the rest of her life was fascinating and infuriating. The story of what happened to George and how the rest of the author's life worked out is wonderful.

An utterly delightful book.

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I don’t often write reviews but this time I wanted to convey how much I enjoyed this audiobook.
I stumbled across it after listening to the lovely Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton.
As well as a story about raising the magpie, George, this book is also filled with the ups and downs of the author’s life at the time, and written with an honesty and integrity that I liked. I thought the author’s narration was very good and added to the simplicity and honesty.
I loved George’s story and cried when he eventually left for good.
I recommend this audiobook and will look out for other work by Frieda Hughes.

Uplifting and a pleasure to listen to.

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I loved this book. The relationship between George and Frieda was incredibly observed and portrayed. I felt uplifted and thankful to her for writing such a beautiful thing.

Uplifting

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A beautiful tale of life with George, and beyond. As a lover of both birds and (motor)bikes, I adored each diary entry. Thanks to Frieda for sharing such a personal story. Impossible to press pause …

So touching …

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Frieda Hughes accidentally ends up looking after a magpie whose home is destroyed. If you ever wondered what the realities of becoming a surrogate magpie parent might be, you will find out about it in this book, the good bits .... and the bad! I found myself snorting in amusement as well as laughing out loud. I sympathised and nodded in agreement, shed tears and shook my head in wonder. I loved listening to this book, for how it made me feel a whole range of emotions. Frieda Hughes' spellbinding storytelling pulls you irresistably into the story of George and the rest of her world; it was hard for me to press pause when something needed my full attention. I'm sure *everyone* who listens will be as enchanted as I was by this extraordinary chronicle. The most unexpected things can change and enhance your life, if you give them a chance

Enchanting and life affirming

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Everyone should read / listen to the books such a life affirming story!
Made me feel better about life in.

Beautiful

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