My Mother and Other Wild Animals
An Essay
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My Mother and Other Wild Animals
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Narrated by:
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Andrew Sean Greer
About this listen
A mother and son embark on the road trip of a lifetime in a charming, poignant essay about making memories, facing fears, and donning fried-egg costumes by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less.
Andrew Sean Greer can’t wait to get home to San Francisco after a writer’s residency in Kansas. But when his mother, Sandra, decides to come along for the ride, he has a new goal: get her to crack a smile at every stop, whether breathtaking or breathtakingly kitschy.
He’s always known his mother to be as efficient and serious as a chemist (which she happens to be), always in gray, eyebrow cocked, and handling challenges with grace. To mix things up, Andrew develops an elaborate itinerary of planned chaos. Ahead, twenty-six hours of landmarks, pecan divinity, show tunes, and bizarre lodgings for the wild at heart. Best of all, mile by mile, mother and son realize how very much alike they are. And that this is just the escape they both needed.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2024 Andrew Sean Greer. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“Andrew Sean Greer enthusiastically captures the inherent absurdity of an odd couple and their road trip. The brief audio story depicts the author/narrator and his mother as they travel from Kansas to California.… His mom, a precise scientist, at first glance seems ill suited to this kitschy romp, but they sing together and share the joys of the road. The listener is treated to stops in Dodge City, Sedona, Taos, and, finally, Joshua Tree.” —AudioFile Magazine
What listeners say about My Mother and Other Wild Animals
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- NinaKalada
- 04-28-24
A Modern Era read...
A son and mother coming out together. And they traveled together too. This duo are exceptionally close. It is a nice read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pearl A Ryerson
- 04-25-24
Loved this ❤️❤️❤️
I loved the entire story. The beautiful relationship with his mother. The mom’s openness and adventurous personality. His support and encouragement to his mom 😍🌹❤️
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mikelikesbooks
- 05-28-24
Got to love Mom
This is a very short but charming essay of the author’s road trip with his mother. We get to peek a glimpse of life and dynamics between mother and son. It had me chuckling.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Super Ryan
- 04-20-24
Phenomenally Lovely
This story is an ode to all mothers distilled in the wonderful Dr Sandra Greer. The author once again brings his incredible wordplay that is so light but so poignant and powerful to weave this magical journey of mother and son. Off to call my mom and plan my own funeral. Bravo on an amazing tale a mother would be proud of. But not as proud as she is of Ronan.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dorothy M Stahl
- 06-15-24
Travel with your kid?
I loved it. Made me smile and remember the trips to the UK and twice to Ireland with two adult children and a friend !!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jason K. Friedman
- 05-29-24
Gorgeous and Hilarious
This is a big-hearted, beautifully written and read love letter to Mom. A coming-out story like you’ve never heard before. A road trip like no other. I loved every second of it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Juli
- 09-19-24
Lovely ode to mom
I really liked this quirky essay. The mother/son relationship was so true. I loved how they communicated. I would love to see this as a full-length story and really get to know the characters and have a more detailed account of what I am sure was a funny, fantastic trip.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AnnieM
- 11-12-24
A Fun Short Story!
I want to take a long road trip with my daughter sometime soon. I only hope I'm as delightful as Andrew's mom.
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