The Tale of the Mandarin Duck cover art

The Tale of the Mandarin Duck

A Modern Fable

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The Tale of the Mandarin Duck

By: Bette Midler
Narrated by: Bette Midler, Michiko Kakutani - afterword
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About this listen

Inspired by the real-life rainbow-colored Mandarin Duck who appeared in New York’s Central Park in 2018, this modern fable by Bette Midler celebrates the connections people make with each other and the world around them.

How do you get people to appreciate what is right in front of them? In The Tale of the Mandarin Duck, it takes a mysterious, beautiful duck and a clear-eyed kid to point out the obvious! This audiobook will have listeners of all ages coming back to visit the fantastical interpretation of New York City and its odd ducks - both feathered and human.

An afterword by Ms. Kakutani adds details to the facts behind this one-of-a-kind story of the Mandarin Duck.

©2020 Bette Midler (P)2020 Listening Library
Animals Fiction Geography & Cultures Literature & Fiction United States New York

Critic Reviews

"Midler has crafted a loving ode to the people of New York…. A celebration of beauty - in a city, in its people, and in an extraordinary avian visitor.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

This story is rooted in reality yet slyly surreal…. There is a crackling creative synergy among the book’s collaborators, each of whom contributes bountifully to the storytelling.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

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Brilliant!!!

Brilliant use of music and voice to tell a gorgeous short story by a woman I admire so much!

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.