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Dead Pets

Dead Pets

by SamLeith (Author)

  • Used

    Hardcover 2005

    $13.89
Synopsis

Greyfriars Bobby, space chimps, pampered lobsters - feline taxidermy, recipes for rabbit from around the globe - all domesticated animal life, and death, is here. Inspired by the untimely demise of his pet hamster Silky for which, some twenty years later, he still holds himself responsible, Sam Leith explores and explains the universe of the Dead Pet. From dead pets in public life (Caligula's horse, Laika the astro-dog) to the real-life pet cemeteries of Beverley Hills, from a selection of the cruellest deaths meted out to pets in the movies to facts about the animal actors and stunt doubles involved, from a comparison of attitudes and doctrines of pet afterlife across religions, to Ancient Roman recipes for dormice and songbirds, this is one stocking-filler that will make you look twice at the turkey this Christmas.

$13.89

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
 Pages: 240
 Edition: Main
 Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd
Published: 03 Nov 2005
ISBN 10: 1841956481
ISBN 13: 9781841956480

Media Reviews
You may treat it as a scathing critique of sentimental anthropomorphism at the season when we wolf down millions of hapless factory-farmed birdoids. Or simply as the bad-taste triumph of the year. * * The Independent * *
The arch timbre raises a smile more often than not and the wonderfully kitsch illustrations complement a cavort through a subject padded with sentimentality. This drollery might even leave you convinced that the best pet is stuffed and wall-mounted. * * The Observer * *
If there is a more eccentric book on the market than this sprawling, strangely fascinating, compendium, I'll eat my hamster. Imaginatively designed and highly entertaining, this would make an excellent Christmas present... * * The Guardian * *
..an impressive survey of the life and death of our furry friends....a highly original and witty testament to our faithful and fallen companeros. * * The Herald * *
I thought this gothic little hardback was going to be one of those laddish, Nuts or Zoo type meanderings by a horrid boy saying lots of mean things about animals. But how wrong could I have been. It turns out that Sam Leith, a terrifically funny and original writer, is remarkably soppy and insightful when it comes to all things furry. This is a lovely, moving book. A stocking filler that is not, I say sternly, just for Christmas. * * Evening Standard * *
Author Bio
Sam Leith is 31 years old. Literary Editor of The Telegraph, he also contributes book reviews, snide gossip and other nonsense to The Spectator and Literary Review. He lives in Brixton with his brother and a cat called Henry. The cat regards him with suspicion.