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The Revolving Door of Life  By  cover art

The Revolving Door of Life

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie
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Publisher's summary

Once more we catch up with the delightful goings-on in the fictitious 44 Scotland Street from Alexander McCall Smith.

With customary charm and deftness, Alexander McCall Smith gives us another installment in this popular series, now running in its ninth season in The Scotsman. Anything could happen to Bertie and the gang....

©2015 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2016 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"[Narrator Robert Ian] Mackenzie's soothing voice gently leads listeners through the characters' meandering thought processes: Does one own a painting found in a secret room of a newly purchased home? Do men have different conversations when women aren't present? Is it ethical to arrange for the seduction of a gold digger? Whatever the answers, Mackenzie's narration is purely delightful." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Revolving Door of Life

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    4 out of 5 stars

Warmth, laughter, and principles

I was disappointed at first when I began listening to this book, because it was not about the same characters I had enjoyed before. I forgot that, as I became engaged in the lives of the people at 44 Scotland St. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I wish I could tell Alexander McCall Smith how sincerely I love his writing. He seems to be able to enter into the minds of so many different kinds of people that it's almost as if he is multiple authors.. His use of language is marvelous, and the breath of his knowledge is prodigious.

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6 people found this helpful

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Went too fast

Would you consider the audio edition of The Revolving Door of Life to be better than the print version?

It was great to see Irene getting her due - can't wait to see what's next. I loved the fact that Bertie, Stuart and Ulysses got a break from that overbearing woman.
Reconnecting with the other characters was great.

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5 people found this helpful

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One of the best in the series

I really enjoyed this book. I love most of what AMS writes but this is my favorite series. I was so pleased for Bertie, finally!
It was a nice relaxing listen but went by too quickly.
Each character gets more and more personality in each book and I cannot wait for more about Big Lou and her cousin as well as Bruce and Pat. Great book.

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5 people found this helpful

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great story telling

enjoyed the reading.
did get slow in spots that really had no baring on the story as a whole.
the accents were perfect in all the right places.

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1 person found this helpful

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This is one of his best!

I love them all, but there is something special about this one! Can't wait to see what happens next, especially with Bertie.

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A whole lot of fun

As one gets to know Bertie, one comes to love him and his family, which include artists, Bedouins, his elementary school class, his martini drinking grandmother and the Scottish nudists.... what a great ride!

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Another winner in a wonderful series

Another installment in the colorful characters at 44 Scotland Street! A brief taste of freedom for Bertie. Delightful as always from Alexander McCall Smith. Cant wait for the next one.

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Another lovable jaunt round Scotland Street

I've read or listened to every book in this series and can't help but enjoy each one more than the last. In particular, in this one, I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. And Robert Ian MacKenzie's performance brought the story to life like no one else could. Thoroughly enjoyable. I was sorry to see the book come to an end. Can't wait for the next one.

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Return to Excellent Writing and Thinking

The Scotland street series has always been one of AMS's strongest storylines IMO. In this book, important philosophical questions are skillfully woven into storyline, plus there is a plot turn that brings some relief for Bertie--hooray! This book refreshes the charm and originality found in earlier AMS books. I'm so glad the author can still produce the delightful good read, as was worried that ability had faded after a couple recent ho-hum novels that were clearly just coasting, plus one that was embarrassingly bad (Forever Girl). This narrator is masterful and engaging in his expression of difficult dialects and multiple character profiles. Very good listening experience.

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A Wonderful Book About Love and Caring

Alexander McCall Smith at his best again. This “Bertie” series is probably my favorite and I can’t wait for the next installment. Robert Ian McKensie does his usual superb job in portraying all the characters in their individual voices and personalities. Thanks Audible!

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