Notwithstanding

By: Louis De Bernieres

Narrated by: Mike Grady

From the author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin; a heart-warming collection of stories inspired by life in an English village. Casting his mind back to the village where he grew up, Louis de Bernières brings us a forgotten England: where a lady might dress in plus fours, a retired general might give up wearing clothes and a spiritualist might live with her sister and the ghost of her husband. Here we find the atmosphere of those times as it was in the countryside, and the people whose lives are worth celebrating.

©2009 Louis De Bernieres (P)2011 WF Howes Ltd

Lovely collection of interwoven short stories

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

Not yet, but will keep him in mind. He was truly wonderful to listen to and enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Any additional comments?

Louis de Bernieres is always a joy to read or in this particular case, listen to as an audiobook. I even love the appropriately wry title.

LdB can just as easily turn his hand to a simple refreshing tale such as this, or to the sweeping fact/fiction sagas of Birds Without Wings and Captain Corelli's Mandolin. His satirical War of Don Emmanuel's Nether Parts is highly entertaining. He seamlessly moves from having a twinkle to a tear in his eye with his poignant and perceptive narratives, which remain in one's mind long after the book is finished. Pathos and humor are handled with equal skill and delicacy.

Red Dog was not well received in written form (too short), but was made into the most delightful family movie - worth watching.

Set in the fictional English village of Notwithstanding, each chapter is a short story about the oddball characters and noteworthy incidents in the village, moving across different time zones. As a rule, I am not a fan of short stories, but the personalities in this small community intersect enough between the stories to tie them together into a single canvas.

I heartily recommend this light enjoyable book with its deadpan turns of phrase. If the subject matter doesn't appeal, you are bound to find a book of his that you will enjoy.