Trustee from the Toolroom

By: Nevil Shute

Narrated by: Frank Muller

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Keith Stewart, a retiring and ingenious engineer, could not have been happier in his little house in the shabby London suburb of Ealing. There he invented the mini-motor, the six-volt generator, and the tiny Congreve clock. Then a chain of events sweeps him into deep waters and leads him to his happiest discovery yet.

©1960 Heather Felicity Norway and Union Trustee Company of Australia, Ltd. (P)1988 Recorded Books, LLC

Nevil Shute is the consumate story teller.

What made the experience of listening to Trustee from the Toolroom the most enjoyable?

Nevil Shute writes excellent novels.

What other book might you compare Trustee from the Toolroom to and why?

The story is beyond compare.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Frank Muller is just not my favorite reader.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

This book would make a great movie, unless Hollywood screws it up like they did On the Beach. Also made a move out of the Far Country which was horrible, but Jimmy Stewart in No HIghway in the Sky was very good!

Any additional comments?

would love to get more Nevil Shute - particularly Pied Piper and I will be ordering the others you have listed.

Best book for a long while!!!

I have no idea why I picked this book. Not in my usual profile of whodunnits and police procedurals. But so glad I did!! A delight from start to finish - witty, well-written, fascinating in its engineering details (and i am no engineer), interesting in its travel information, delightful in its cast of characters, and soul-satisfying in its conclusion. I can think of half a dozen people I'd like to give it too! If you ever navigate a boat or airplane, or ever build a model, this book will delight you!! And also if you DON'T navigate anything..... Just a terrific listen. Narrator excellent and 'in the spirit' of the humor of the book!

A mild little man is a real hero!

What a wonderful book!

Keith Stewart is a bit of an everyman. He doesn't need lots of money or power to feel accomplished. He enjoys making tiny models of machines and writing articles for a small magazine to help others make the same.

When he and his wife take on the trusteeship of his niece, they realize that they won't be able to bring her up in the manner she was accustomed. He decides to take a chance and make a trip around the world because he takes his job of raising little Janice very seriously.

The people he meets along the way and the ones he had already touched in his work for the magazine make this an absorbing story of the human heart doing the right thing.
Fantastic story of a quiet little man who in all things is a real hero.

Nevil Shute is a wonderful writer and he really knows how to bring people to life in his characterizations.

A Perfect Book

What did you love best about Trustee from the Toolroom?

The simple elegance and kindness demonstrated without pretension or self-righteousness. Other words that come to mind are lovely and precise. And pure.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Keith of course. He is has a clear understanding of who he is and what are the most important qualities of human being to life a rich and compassionate life without being concerned with "externalities."

Have you listened to any of Frank Muller’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I thought this performance was wonderful. I really enjoyed his performance of women's voices which were very convincing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Oddly enough it was near the end when the solicitor realized what Keith had done and recognized how courageous and skillful he was in "navigating" himself though all of the obstacles he faced. And then slyly "wink-winked" at him. It was just great. A perfect

Any additional comments?

One of the most wonderful books I have listened to in a long time. I will definitely look for more books by Mr. Shute.

My Favorite from over 400 audiobooks

The story is about a joyous adventure of a tremendously competent, conscientious man, a common, hardworking engineer, good natured, kind, independent and unassuming... Wait I was going to say "otherwise unremarkable" but these days such characteristics make him a thoroughly remarkable character.

Shute was an aircraft engineer and traveled the world and his books reflect this -- a world of adventure as lived by kind, strong, hard working competent people.

Of all the 400+ audiobooks I own this is my favorite, and of all the authors I've recommended, Shute has been the best recurved by friends.

The voice acting is extraordinary. The characters are alive, individual and the narrator, Frank Muller, get English, Scottish and American accents just right. Wish I could do that.

Don’t miss this!

This is an excellent book. A Town Like Alice and The Far Country are also excellent. We get to see relationships develop and how people interact and help each other. Small coincidences all come together in Trustee. Pay attention :)

Wonderful Book!

Would you listen to Trustee from the Toolroom again? Why?

No. Only because I don't listen to books a second time

What did you like best about this story?

A lovely story about a very good man that didn't have a lot but loved what he did and loved life.

Which scene was your favorite?

Honestly there are too many to pick just one.

Any additional comments?

I can't imagine anyone that wouldn't love this book.

For anyone who wants a story that feels good and wholesome

I’m not an engineer, but I rather enjoyed the technical talk. It’s part of Keith and it made me understand and really like him. I admit to almost giving up about 1/3 of the way through but am so glad I didn’t. If you’re tired with the same old story told 1.000 different ways, you’ll enjoy this - it’s really different. This is a story about good men, doing good things. A bit unrealistic but still a feel good story.

.....Friends Don’t Let Friends Get Stranded.....

I quickly became enamored with this novel and its protagonist, Keith Stewart. I really enjoyed the honorable sensibilities of a man who pursues his life’s work simply because he loves doing it; no matter that it does not afford him enough money to live on. Nevil Shute builds the people in this book expertly; all seem like they could be real people; their dialog is never out of character. And what is more: he manages to tell a fine story, with a strong and satisfying plot line—more believable than Walter Mitty, and more joyful than Francis Macomber, this is a wonderful story that will inhabit your soul and inspire you to follow your dream.

Frank Muller is a fine narrator, giving each character a unique, and appropriate, voice. His voice seems perfectly well-suited to the modest ideals that this book is all about. He is one of the reasons that this is a great audiobook.

Positive Human Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Trustee from the Toolroom to be better than the print version?

I'm very happy I bought this book. Shows good people doing well in difficult life situations where there is no slathering enemy, only adult realities.