You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
chrismkayser 's review for:
Alex and Me
by Irene M. Pepperberg
I've been putting off reading this book for years. I knew about Alex, and knew that he had passed away unexpectedly. And it breaks my heart. Both for all he could have accomplished had he lived, and for the woman that worked with him for so long. But after Frank & Jessa both read it and told me I HAD TO READ IT, and even loaned me their copy, I finally gave in.
Unsurprisingly, I loved it. Alex had such personality, in the way that a lot of pet owners assume their animals do, talking or non. I loved reading about the surprising things he learned, even though they hadn't explicitly taught him.
I HATED that the first chapter starts out with how the author dealt with Alex's death in the aftermath. I knew she would write about his death, of course. I didn't expect to be confronted with it immediately. Having owned a bird - though only a parakeet - that unexpectedly passed away last year, I cried a whole lot during this book. Lucky for me, animals are smarter than we give them credit for, as well as empathetic, for my crying brought Leeloo to my side faster than if I had called her.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in birds, animal communication, science in general, or what amounts to the biography of a very smart bird.
Unsurprisingly, I loved it. Alex had such personality, in the way that a lot of pet owners assume their animals do, talking or non. I loved reading about the surprising things he learned, even though they hadn't explicitly taught him.
I HATED that the first chapter starts out with how the author dealt with Alex's death in the aftermath. I knew she would write about his death, of course. I didn't expect to be confronted with it immediately. Having owned a bird - though only a parakeet - that unexpectedly passed away last year, I cried a whole lot during this book. Lucky for me, animals are smarter than we give them credit for, as well as empathetic, for my crying brought Leeloo to my side faster than if I had called her.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in birds, animal communication, science in general, or what amounts to the biography of a very smart bird.