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The Pavilion in the Clouds

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The Pavilion in the Clouds

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

The Pavilion in the Clouds is a new stand-alone title from best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith.

It is 1938 and the final days of the British Empire. In a bungalow high up in the green hills above the plains of Ceylon, under a vast blue sky, live the Ferguson family - Bella, a precocious eight-year-old; her father, Henry - owner of Pitlochry, a tea plantation - and her mother, Virginia. The story centres around the Pavilion in the Clouds, set in the idyllic grounds carved out of the wilderness. But all is not as serene as it seems. Bella is suspicious of her governess Miss White's intentions. Her suspicion sparks off her mother's imagination, and after an unfortunate series of events, a confrontation is had with Miss White and a gunshot rings off around the hills.

Years later, Bella, now living back in Scotland at university in St Andrews, is faced once again with her past. Will she at last find out what happened between her father and Miss White? And will the guilt she has lived with all these years be reconciled by a long over-due apology?

©2021 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2021 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction
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loved this story by Alexander McCall Smith. He always captures human nature so well and his landscapes are gorgeous. The narrator, David Rintoul was awesome and I look forward to listening to other titles by him. 5 star 🌟

A really enjoyable novel

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This was just the book to pull me out of the doldrums. As always AMS has crafted a beautiful story of charming characters, mostly Scottish expats, living in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) on tea plantations as the Empire is winding up and the Second World War is warming up. The story is largely focused on 8 year old Bella and the conflict stirred in her family with the presence of her nanny Miss White. The story in Ceylon wraps up when Bella goes to school in Scotland, but picks up again in Scotland when Bella is at university and finally is able to reconnect with old friends to understand the dynamics between the adults much better.

Charming reflection on life and the lives of expats

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It was good to read a more adult and suspenseful book from McCall Smith. A good amount of intrigue to keep one guessing.

A very moreish read

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Very easy listen, David's reading of the story made it even better. I would love it to be made into a movie.

Lovely story

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