What I Don't Know About Animals

What does Jenny Diski know about animals? She's really not sure. There is, however, one thing of which she is certain: our relationships with and attitudes to animals are really worth thinking about. In WHAT I DON T KNOW ABOUT ANIMALS, she shows why.

She sets out to investigate what she does and doesn't know about animals. She remembers the stuffed cuddly creatures from her childhood; the animal books she read; the cartoons she watched; the strays she found; the animals who have lived and still live with her; the animals she has observed close up and those she has feared. She examines human beings, too and the way in which they have looked at, studied, treated and written about the non-human creatures with whom we share the planet.

Subtle, intelligent and brilliantly observed, WHAT I DON T KNOW ABOUT ANIMALS is an engaging look at what it means to be human - and what it means to be animal.

“'What a tremendous book... As a species, Diski is genuinely a national treasure'”

The deep allure of Diski's writing is its combination of dry wit, rapier thinking, a disarmingly engaging conversational tone and moral clarity. Her book is a necessary read, sparkling, funny and warm. - Guardian - Ruth Padel

What a tremendous book... As a species, Diski is genuinely a national treasure. - The Lady - Stephanie Cross

A quirky, exhilarating expedition into the animal kingdom. - Mail on Sunday - Kathryn Hughes

Jenny Diski is the author of ten novels including Only Human and two memoirs: Skating to Antarctica and Stranger on a Train. She lives in Cambridge.

What does Jenny Diski know about animals? She's really not sure. She remembers the animal books she read in her childhood; the cartoons she watched; the meals she ate; the strays she found; the animals who have lived and still live with her. She examines human beings, too, and the way in which we have looked at, studied, treated and written about the non-human creatures with whom we share the planet. Subtle, intelligent and brilliantly observed, What I Don't Know About Animals is an engaging look at what it means to be human - and what it means to be animal. 'A socio-philosophical investigation of immense skill, erudition and subtlety . . . The deep allure of Diski's writing is its combination of dry wit, rapier thinking [and] a disarmingly engaging conversational tone . . . A wonderful and necessary read, sparkling, funny and warm' Ruth Padel, Guardian 'Diski writes with clarity and insight, weaving together an impressive rage of philosophic, scientific and literary material' Tim Souster, Financial Times 'Diski takes a writer's finess and a reporter's curiosity on her journey of discovery through the animal kingdom' i (Independent)

What does Jenny Diski know about animals? She's really not sure. There is, however, one thing of which she is certain: our relationships with and attitudes to animals are really worth thinking about. In WHAT I DON T KNOW ABOUT ANIMALS, she shows why.She sets out to investigate what she does and doesn't know about animals. She remembers the stuffed cuddly creatures from her childhood; the animal books she read; the cartoons she watched; the strays she found; the animals who have lived and still live with her; the animals she has observed close up and those she has feared. She examines human beings, too and the way in which they have looked at, studied, treated and written about the non-human creatures with whom we share the planet.Subtle, intelligent and brilliantly observed, WHAT I DON T KNOW ABOUT ANIMALS is an engaging look at what it means to be human - and what it means to be animal.

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