Enslaved by Ducks (original 2003; edition 2004)

I loved this book, much of it is familiar to me as our home has often been filled with animals of all kinds. In the hands of a different writer, it could have been a comic masterpiece, along the lines of Bill Bryson. But it was heartwarming and at it's best towards the end.
( )

The gold standard, for me, of animal writing is Gerald Durrell. Tarte's not even close, in my eyes. ( )

ENSLAVED BY DUCKS is about a married couple, Bob and Linda Tarte, who start off buying a pet bunny called Binky and end up being completely enslaved by a whole menagerie of fluffy and feathered critters which include ducks, bunnies, cats, doves, canaries, turkeys, parrots, starlings, geese, and parakeets. Trouble is, just about every animal they acquire seems to have either behavioral or health issues. Bob is not afraid to let us know the warts and all side of animal ownership – and he and Linda love their animals, no doubt about it. Some of the animals are rescued from danger, others get sick and recover, some die; some animals are attacked and killed by wild critters. Each challenge sees the learning curve of the Tartes grow steeper. But for every drama there is laughter and a friendly beak rubbing against your neck, happy honks of welcome and a fluffy something or other snuggling in for a sleep.

Everyday seems to bring a different adventure, laughter or tragedy but above all it is the story of the endless love and devotion given by an enslaved couple to their animals. ENSLAVED BY DUCKS didn’t change my life, but was an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.

What a strange book about stranger people. It was hilarious and educational. I see myself walking the same path someday. ( )

Though the writing was correct, and the book itself wasn't difficult to read, that's as positive as I can get about "Enslaved by Ducks". I can not connect with a man that makes an art out of whining. Tarte complains about getting his first pets, about getting depressed because of losing the pets he never wanted and always complained about, about not being able to tell his wife that he doesn't want more pets, and about using the pets as an excuse to take anti depressants. He seems to want to give a redeeming tint to all this whining by implying at the end that he is happy, being "enslaved by ducks", but it feels more likea loser who doesn't care about finding a better situation. ( )