The Pavilion in the Clouds

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: David Rintoul

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2022 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2022 Recorded Books

Somewhat strange story

The story has 2 parts and each one ends rather abruptly! It seemed mysterious with little solution.

Wonderful story! Mystery, history, poetry, and love

Alexander McCall always approaches complicated subjects and emotions with simple and light words. His ability to describes a point of view from women is always surprising, funny, honest, and appreciated.

wonderful story, well-told

I've read many of the Alexander McCall Smith series books. This one was even better. It had a more serious story to tell, but still captured the viewpoint of a child. So brilliant. It was a wonderful story with interesting twists but always kept that child's voice also. The narration was superb. The ending was so very satisfying. This is a great book. Five stars all around.

A lovely story steeped in small mysteries.

The author has not over sweetened this story as sometimes he does. It recalls the last days of the British in Ceylon and the inadvertent impulses of a 9 year old, the course of action that followed unexpectedly. Nicely done and beautifully narrated.

Another Great Entertaining Read

“The Pavilion in the Clouds” is another well written and entertaining story by Alexander McCall Smith. Excellent pleasure reading with a good ending. Experienced as an Audio Book.

Slow start

Slow start but gained momentum. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (Six more words required by me.)

Non story but charming

Slow progress but filled with interesting details about pre war life in Ceylon. Worth listening to.

Alexander McCall Smith does it again

The reader is brilliant. An Alexander McCall Smith does not disappoint with this lovely story. It’s not an earth shattering saga but a really nice tail for a time when you just want to read something pleasant

Captivating

AMS is a genius! This is outside anything else I be read by him, yet just as comfortable
Also very well narrated.
More ! More!

Get Over It

Alexander McCall Smith gets into the inner lives of his characters, and the message his characters learn here is simple — Get over it. Don't worry. Because we don't really understand how things were when we were children, nor do we know all of the players or viewpoints that made up the story of which our lives are only a subtext of a greater story. But most of all, forgive yourself and move on. Superb narration with a tone of melancholic introspection.