Today I want to tell you about Gail's new audiobook 'Sophie from Romania'.
This tale, just published, relates how former BBC Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones and his high powered economist wife 'The Prof' adopted Sophie, a dog from Eastern Europe, and then spent the best part of a year gently and patiently encouraging her to feel confident enough to venture from her safe space behind their red sofa and out into the world.
We learn how Rory, a naturally impatient man, deals with his Parkinson's disease as well as the frustrations of having to accept the glacially slow progress made by Sophie as she begins to conquer her fears and anxieties.
It is an unsentimental account in which each faltering step forward is celebrated and inevitable doubts about whether they are following the best course of action with Sophie are honestly expressed.
As a sub-plot, we learn about the reactions of #SophiefromRomania's legion of followers on Instagram and Twitter/X to her every step, and the impact this has on Rory and his wife.
[The audiobook version is beautifully read by the author, whom Gail knew a little bit when she was in London in the early 1980's and Rory, at the time a BBC trainee journalist, lived in Battersea in the flat below her then boyfriend.]
Highly recommended to all dog lovers!
wow that is sure a good book and how great that you know the author... that makes it to a storie what is double real...
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteWell Nobby, I think this sounds like a fabulous book for everyone reading here! Ta for the review. Hugs and wags YAM-aunty x
This sounds like a wonderful read!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear they had/have the patience to help her, we had 2 dogs that needed patience and both of us are not patient people by nature. sounds like a good read or listen.
ReplyDeleteNow I am going to look up SophiefromRomania. It is a wonderful thing that you never lacked confidence Nobby, imagine spending your life behind the sofa! When Mr T joined us he lived behind the long curtains, but that didn't last long and he very soon owned the house and everything in and connected to it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review. My grandson has a Romanian rescue dog, who has settled well after a slow start, though she is wary of people she doesn't know. My Romanian grandson-in-law taught my grandson some helpful words to help her feel at home.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a good book. We put it on our mom's must read list.
ReplyDeleteNobby what a wonderful review of about Sophie from Romania.
ReplyDeleteShe is a most gorgeous Shepherd and what a journey she had learning to love and trust and be Rory's constant companion
Hugs to your Gail, You and YAM-Aunty
Cecilia
A wonderful review! Mama is a big audiobook fan, we'll have her put it on her list!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Rosy & Sunny
I just ordered it; a lovely review, along with quite unusual personal connections to the book—which make it more special.
ReplyDeleteGail here: I'll look forward to hearing your impressions of the book.
DeleteSounds great - thanks for letting us know about it
ReplyDeleteMom loves audiobooks. She listens while she takes us for our walks. Thanks for telling us about it. We have been thinking about Gail a lot and hope she is doing better.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Misty and Timber
That's our kind of book Nobby, though Carol would prefer to read, rather than listen.
ReplyDeleteFor a brief time before I came along Carol had a dog just like Sophie, though Amber was a Pointer from a local Spanish rescue. Carol asked the rescue for help with Amber, who was terrified of everything outside the garden gate. They took her back to see their behaviourist and within a day she had been given to someone living way out in the countryside. It still upsets Carol the way this was done, as she had expected to be involved in Amber's training. She never saw her again, though she realises it was probably for the best. Still, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that!
Love
Paca xx
P.S. from Carol. It's not that I don't love Paca dearly, but I still miss Amber and often wonder how she is.Hopefully she's living a happy life.