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Code Name Bananas
- Narrated by: Peter Serafinowicz, Sarah Alexander, Genevieve Gaunt, Toby Jones, Nina Wadia, Wayne Forester, Adjoa Andoh, Nitin Ganatra
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
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Code Name Bananas
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Summary
Go back in time with number one best-selling author David Walliams for a whizz-bang epic adventure of action, laughter and secret plots - and the extraordinary friendship between a little boy and a huge gorilla that just might save the day....
1940. Britain is at war with Nazi Germany.
Eleven-year-old Eric spends his days at the place that makes him most happy: London Zoo. And there’s one animal in particular he loves: Gertrude the gorilla.
With bombs falling all over London, Eric must rescue Gertrude.
Together with his uncle Sid, a keeper at the zoo, the three go on the run. But while hiding out at the seaside they uncover a top-secret Nazi plot....
Join David Walliams on this action-packed, laugh-out-loud adventure for all the family!
Critic reviews
"Dahl finally has a worthy successor." (Telegraph)
"Walliams understands something crucial about children and stories." (Metro)
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What listeners say about Code Name Bananas
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- K. J. Kelly
- 30-11-20
Familiar script now, a little over the top.
Familiar script now, daft and over-the-top characters and situations.
Working in a library this morning, I was talking about Walliams with a 9-year-old customer. He was surprised when I told him I hadn't really enjoyed the latest from the author, as he'd loved it. And maybe I'm doing the books a disservice, because, yes, his target audience DOES tend to love them. But that doesn't mean I need to gush and heap praise on them when I don't think it's deserved. Does it?
They've felt phoned-in and rushed-out for a while now. I was pleased to see another period piece here (after The Ice Monster), especially as my eldest is studying World War II at school. And there are some great war details included, so that was a positive.
It was the story though, the usual over-the-top stereotypes, the zany and overdone last act, and as an audiobook listener, some annoying voices that grated.
Orphaned by the war, Eric has few friends but Gertrude, a gorilla at London Zoo, and her keeper, his uncle Sid. The German bombs end up causing Gertrude to escape her cage, which in turns means the owner of the zoo determines to have her put down (yep, it's a bit forced), so the three of them decide the best course of action is to run away. Cue a big country-wide chase, and lots of female clothing. And a final act involving two not-at-all suspicious old ladies in a dilapidated seaside boarding house.
Madcap. Zany. Quirky. Hmm. It didn't hit the spot for me at all. The woman voicing Eric didn't help, yet another grating stereotype that didn't fit. An actual child's voice would have been nice.
It was all just a bit much. Gertrude could have been more sympathetic, it almost felt exploitative even though it is literally words on a page.
I think I just miss the heart of Walliams' earliest novels. The ones that felt personal and could actually bring a tear to your eye. And the amount of celebrity authors now following in his footsteps jades me as well.
My eldest (nearly 10) hasn't read this yet but I'll be very interested in his opinion. Don't listen to drained little me, this is just the opinion of a very-much-not-the-target-audience mum and librarian.
For fans aged 7-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
20 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- disneylad
- 20-01-21
Really good !
5 star rating from a 10 year old for the book and he would recommend to other children aged 8-12
16 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 30-11-20
Best yet!
Such a great story. The voices are spot on. My daughter loves it. Clever to set it during another period of anxiety. Reassuring to know all will be well with Walliams at the helm!
13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Freya Bradley
- 17-11-20
Brilliant
This book is my favourite one so far I was a bit sceptical because I like Roald Dahl as a kid but David Walliams books are adult based as well Being children friendly as well
13 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jane kelsall
- 30-11-20
Brilliant !!!
my 7 year old loved this book. David's narration really brings it to life.
12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter
- 20-01-21
very good book to lisen to and i would recomend it
i loved this book and i would recomend it to anyone who is looking to buy it.
11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr B.
- 01-12-20
Great!
Best of Walliams and commemorates 75 years since the Battle of Britain. Get it now!
11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Emma
- 07-01-21
Good
This is a. Good story but I think that the story line is a bit all over the place and hard to follow but over all it is good story
I would rate the vocabulary 5/5
The story line I would rate it at 4/5
Over all would rate it at 4 1/2 so it very good
By Aulay. Age 10
10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-11-20
An excellent family listen
My 7 years old and I absolutely loved this book. Phenomenal performances and background music. Story was thrilling and kept us involved. Especially enjoyed the submarine action.
Can’t wait to read/listen more from David Walliams.
10 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hedanman
- 28-01-21
Brilliant. Incredible plots.
It was incredible. So many plots, such unique characters and a lot of friendship and teamwork. It was also incredibly funny.
7 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lelia Schott
- 14-07-22
Amazing
It is a amazing book ❤️🦍🍌 And you will learn a little bit of history overall it is a amazing book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-02-21
Fantastic fun story
Well read and exciting story. Kids loved it. kids described it as "awesome" and "great"
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- james mcphee
- 15-02-21
okay
good story but erics voice is really bad and misplaced and he sound like a girl