My Italian Bulldozer

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Timothy Ackroyd

When writer Paul Stewart heads to the idyllic Italian town of Montalcino to finish his already late book, it seems like the perfect escape from stressful city life. Upon landing, however, things quickly take a turn for the worse when he discovers his hired car is nowhere to be found. With no record of any reservation and no other cars available, it looks like Paul is stuck at the airport.

That is, until an enterprising stranger offers him an unexpected alternative. While there may be no cars available, there is something else on offer: a bulldozer. With little choice in the matter, Paul accepts, and so begins a series of laugh-out-loud adventures through the Italian countryside, following in the wake of Paul and his Italian bulldozer.

A story of unexpected circumstance and a lesson in making the best of what you have, My Italian Bulldozer is a warm holiday listen guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

©2016 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2016 Bolinda Audio

Entertaining

Worth listening to, good light summer reading. The main characters are charming and frustrating in typical A. McCall Smith fashion. The addition of the bulldozer adds to the story and makes it funny in a sort of puzzling way. The characters stay true to themselves in a way that I found satisfying at the end and which I didn't expect partway into the book.

A delight!

Excellent story read beautifully. That’s all I wanted to say, but I’m required to write 15 words min (eye roll)

Suffused with Wisdom and Humor

As an erstwhile wine and food writer I had to shake my head and wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?" The answer is simply that I'm not Alexander McCall Smith, who can take the simplest plot and make it interesting by populating it with complex and believable characters. McCall Smith's protagonists (as well as many of his incidental characters) are deeply philosophical, always searching, and always adult — which is to say that they're thoughtful and emotional without being hysterical. They live lives that are fully examined. And there are always moments of absurdity and wry humor. I always know at the beginning of a McCall Smith novel that I'll leave feeling like I'd just spent time with a new best friend. If only I had that talent.

So Enjoyable!

This book and narration is a breath of fresh air! The main character is instantly engaging and sympathetic, there are terrific moments of humor, and wonderful moments of deep insight. It is a truly charming story, beginning to end.

Like an old fashioned RomCom

Not at all serious! Which is good! The narrator made this Audible book come alive. Not sure I’ll have liked it reading it. The bulldozer is just funny.