The Good Pilot, Peter Woodhouse cover art

The Good Pilot, Peter Woodhouse

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The Good Pilot, Peter Woodhouse

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Rupert Degas
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About this listen

An endearing stand-alone story from best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith.

Val was working as a land girl when the Americans arrived at the nearby airfield in 1944. Mike, a young American airman, came into her life soon after, and so, too, did Peter Woodhouse, a dog badly treated on a neighbouring farm and taken in by her aunt.

Little persuasion was needed for Mike to take Peter Woodhouse to the airbase, and over time he became the mascot of the American squad, flying with them whenever their Mosquitoes took to the skies.

When their plane is shot down over Holland, both Mike and Peter Woodhouse are feared lost. But unknown to their loved ones at home, Mike and Peter Woodhouse survived the crash. Taken in by the Dutch resistance and with the help of Ubi, a German officer, the pair remain in hiding until the end of the war, when they are reunited with Val.

We then follow Val, Mike and Peter Woodhouse as they rebuild a life in England and Ubi as he returns to Germany at the end of the war and tries to build a new life for himself. His dream is to run a Wall of Death, a circus ring that pits motorcyclists against gravity as they attempt to stay upright at ever increasing speed....

©2017 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2017 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd 20th Century Action & Adventure Historical Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Military Protector Romance Fiction War Comedy Aviation

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All stars
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Very enjoyable story, very well narrated. Our next dog is definitely being called Peter Woodhouse.

Enjoyable listen

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This was like a hot chocolate and a warm cuddly blanket of a book.

It will not win prizes for any literary feat, but it was a lovely listen and at times we just want a some thing easy on the ear.

There is not much more to say than the summary without spoilers, except Rupert Degas reads it beautifully

A cosy book

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What an enjoyable book, beautifully read. What Alexander McCall Smith does so touchingly, are those little observations, those gentle words that describe the little things in life. I feel warmed and nourished by this lovely book.

Loved it!

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This story is totally different from his other books. It describes the suffering of ordinary people and the value of friendship.

A beautiful story of friendship in wartime

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I loved this story. totally compelling and believable. I really engaged with the characters

Hugely enjoyable

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This story based around a WW2 romance covers many familiar themes but with a great lightness of touch which is enhanced by the delicate narration style. I absolutely loved it.

A lovely gentle story beautifully read

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I had listened to it a few years ago and enjoyed it. Anyone would enjoy it from 18 to 80++

Thanks. It was great,

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Alexander McCall Smith is so versatile and talented. From 44 Scotland Street books to No.1 Ladies Detective Agency to one off books like this one. I'm hooked within the first chapter. I love the way he sees the good in all people no matter which country they came from during the war.
Rupert Degas' narration is perfect.

Another awesome book

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This book is written so sensitively with empathy. It gives an insight into people’s lives during WWII. It’s a gentle book but none the less powerful and illuminating

Story of love and friendship across warring sides

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The exceptional narrative performance by Rupert Degas brings a depth and enjoyment to a mediocre book. I could have transcribed the story from one of the magazines my mother used to read, such as The People's Friend and Woman's Weekly. Cosy and comforting has been a description used by other reviewers and although there is an element of that, it really reflects a story that is as much fantasy as Narnia.
And I feel this type of cliched writing .is rather an empty experience and my brain is grumpy with me.

Rupert Degas Gives A Top Quality Performance.

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