Very amusing semi-autobiography based on Rory McGrath's love of birdwatching. He assures the reader that most of the story is based on true life.You don't have to be a bird enthusiast to enjoy the book and since reading it I've found myself looking at birds in a whole new light. The funny anecdotes are told in two separate sections of the book, firstly as a young student at Cambridge and secondly in the present day , now Rory McGrath is a famous tv personality. There is a surprisng twist at the end which I very much hope is part of the true story.

I have always liked Rory McGrath, from the old Who Dares Wins TV show. He can be a boorish tit (not a type of bird) as exhibited on 'Three Men and a Boat', but this is a well -written piece of work combining a love story and a love of birdwatching. Rory writes sensitively about both topics and interweaves the narrative beautifully. It has some genuinely funny moments and is incredibly readable. It is an easy book to read and holds the attention so well, that I did not want to put it down. It has a genuine twist at the end that I didn't see coming. What I really found interesting is the dialogue where Rory is the wiescracker. It is very easy to write a witty comment and indicate that the interlocutor fell about laughing. Rory avoids that pitfall and leaves the reader to decide what is and what is not funny. I rarely read books twice, but this is one that I will do again. It would be a brilliant book to read on holiday, possibly in some of the locations mentioned such as Norfolk. I would recommend this book to others. Not great literature perhaps, but a genuinely easy, funny read.

I kn ow what you're thinking! Birdwatching AND Rory McGrath don't go together. Well If you think that you are wrong. Rory McGrath is a genuine keen birdwatcher. Who else can identify birds on Midsomer Murder just from the birdsong. This book is split into two. The first part is about Rory and how he got into birdwatching and the second part is about his experiences birdwatching. This book is funny and charming and at times has the feel of Bill Bryson mixed in with Bill Oddie. I recommend everyone to give this a go