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The Best Kind of Beautiful

By: Frances Whiting
Narrated by: Rebecca Macauley
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Publisher's Summary

A warm-hearted novel from the author of Walking on Trampolines about music, grief, relationships, gardens, love, laughter and family.

Florence Saint Claire is a loner. Albert Flowers is a social butterfly. Good friends who think they know each other.

But somewhere between who they are and who people think they are lies The Best Kind of Beautiful.

Award-winning journalist and author Frances Whiting brings her renowned warmth and empathy to this witty and gentle novel about bringing out the best in each other.

©2019 Frances Whiting (P)2019 Macmillan Australia Audio

Critic Reviews

"The Best Kind of Beautiful is the best kind of book: touching, funny, whimsical and mysterious! A special story about a delightful family." (Liane Moriarty)

"There are moments when Frances Whiting writes about family dynamics and relationships where you wonder if the woman has a hidden camera set up inside your soul. On a single page she'll tickle your ribs with three laugh-out-loud gags then punch your gut with some deep observation on living. All heart. All soul. All kinds of beautiful." (Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe)

"Florence, a fresh contemporary irresistible heroine, holds a cast of fascinating, brilliantly drawn characters together. Frances Whiting at her best, warm, witty, provocative, a wise observer of human nature, family, life...It's true, you can't put it down." (Quentin Bryce AD CVO)

What listeners say about The Best Kind of Beautiful

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  • Meg
  • 18-03-2020

And it was...

the best kind of beautiful. A simple, beautifully crafted story. Gentle, with a strong message, not fitting the mould in all crevices is perfectly ok. Narration excellent. Recording not the best. Buzzes and too much base. I will be reading more of this author.

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Loved it!

Wish I hadn’t listened this book, so I could listen to it again!! Great narration. Thank you!

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1 person found this helpful

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Full Wattage

Pleasant, fun story. Easy characters to love, who come to life, are incredibly relatable and you can easily see parts of yourself in, as you indulge in Frances’ light filled words & sentences.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A really enjoyable listen

Quirky characters who developed slowly through the chapters. A great story, relatable but also a bit of a whirlwind look into other people’s lives that we often think are more interesting .

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Secret lives and loves

Two lonely people find themselves and each other and fall in love. What’s not to like?

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What is it talking about?

I’ve listened for 30 minutes and could not say remotely what it said. Not for me.

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