An African Love Story

Love, Life and Elephants

By: Daphne Sheldrick

Narrated by: Virginia McKenna

The unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of An African Love Story, Daphne Sheldrick's touching memoir about romance, life and elephants from Africa's greatest living conservationist. Read by Virginia McKenna, the star of Born Free and the Founder Trustee of the Born Free Foundation. An African Love Story is the incredible memoir of the life of Africa's greatest living conservationist. It tells two stories.

The first is the Tsavo years, and the extraordinary love story which blossomed when the young Daphne, moved to Tsavo with her first husband and fell head over heels with both the park and its famous warden, David Sheldrick. The second is the love story of how Daphne and David, who devoted their lives to saving elephant orphans, at first losing every infant under the age of two until Daphne at last managed to devise the first-ever milk formula which would keep them alive.

This recording contains a bonus track featuring an interview with Virginia McKenna in which she talks about her own conservation work and her friendship with Daphne Sheldrick.

©2012 Daphne Sheldrick (P)2012 Penguin Audio

The incredible Dame Daphne

I so loved this. I too live in Africa and love to travel to the parks and see the wildlife. this was very special to me. the narration was superb, so emotionally moving at times, and quirky at other times. just superb all round.

A story of Africa, of human nature and Elephants

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

An absolutely delightful listen. Well narrated and a terrific life story to learn from.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Daphne of course as the central character - honest and insightful

Which scene was your favorite?

The epilogue of the attack of the elephant which Daphne mistook as Eleanor, kept me intrigued throughout to discover what became of her and how this came to be after a lifetime associated with the elephants.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I both laughed and cried throughout. The experience of wildlife was both cruel and kind, savage and civilised. I recognized the universal law of balance operating throughout the book, both from the perspective of Daphne's personal life, and that of the wild animals she cared for, especially the elephants. Her love for the elephants best expressed in her quote: 'a hundred miles for an elephant is just like a stroll.'

Any additional comments?

Terrific narration. Great life story.

A magical tale of Africa.

This enchanting tale of the love between humans and animals, as well as the deep love between Daphne and her husband David is spellbinding.

It is exquisitely read by Virginia McKenna, who makes the reader feel that it is she who is living the experiences of Daphne Sheldrick. She even convincingly conveys Daphne's emotions.

This book and the reading are brilliant! Anyone who loves animals, especially wild animals, will find it a real treat!

African Love Story with a difference

Would you listen to An African Love Story again? Why?

Yes I would listen to it again. The story had me riveted from the beginning to the end and I like that.

What was one of the most memorable moments of An African Love Story?

The story of the little mongoose whom Daphne had saved as an orphan

Have you listened to any of Virginia McKenna’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had it clued to my ear for hours but had to sleep sometime

Any additional comments?

Virginia McKennas diction was marvellous and I enjoyed listening to her and would get other books performed by her because of the way she brought the story alive for me.

Magic... I fell in L♡VE with this book and everyone, human and animals, in it...

The most beautiful and touching story of L♡VE... Love of Africa and its wildlife, love between a woman and a man, love of elephants.