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The Understudy

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The Understudy

By: David Nicholls
Narrated by: Paul Thornley
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About this listen

Does your life feel like a dress rehearsal? Do you long to enter the limelight and steal the show? But what do you do when you're playing second fiddle to an arrogant actor who barely knows your name? And, more importantly, what do you do when you find yourself falling in love with his wife?

©2005 David Nicholls (P)2006 W F Howes Ltd
Contemporary Fiction Fiction Funny Witty
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What listeners say about The Understudy

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

More than just a RomCom

A bittersweet clash between an insecure would be actor and an egotistical chauvinest theatre star, and the star's beautiful but unattainable girlfriend. Brilliantly written and beautifully read, a comic masterpiece that gripped me from start to finish.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

FABULOUS

loved this book, he's such a natural story teller. can't recommend highly enough. Brilliantly narrated, had me laughing out loud " if you're happy and you know it" , hysterical.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Funny and Heartwarming

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, as it wouldn't be my usual genre. The story itself flowed well and held my attention to the end. It is a classic underdog tale with likeable and relatable characters. The narrator was fantastic and had me laughing out loud several times, his comic timing really added to the experience for me. Overall it was a pleasant easy listen.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

So-so

Badly in need of editing and a continuity check- the character of Sophie comes across a lot older than her supposed 7/8yrs- I initially thought the author needed her to be around 7yrs old for a particular plot point but that doesn’t work either. Overall, the beginning and ending were engaging, it was just the middle where it dragged- badly. Ok read for a summer’s day but other than that, I wouldn’t bother

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Not to be missed

This was my second David Nicholls audio book and I enjoyed this story of the under dog and understudy Stephen McQueen and his escapades even more than "US" which I also really enjoyed.
Great performance from the narrator too.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Easy listening, great narration, disappointing ending...

I enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator was great, playing the different characters excellently. The actual story was good, although not as strong as his others. All in all, a very good holiday read.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a slow starter but keep with it

a little slow to start but after the first couple of chapters you will be hooked.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

a diverting, if not very original idea

I enjoyed this, but it was nothing new. Well performed and worth a listen. The trouble is that few of the characters are at all likeable, including the hero and love interest. Great narration though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fun

Fun, enjoyable, easy going book, which made me chuckle. Would make a good holiday book
I would definitely opt to listen to another title from this author :)

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not for me

I listened to the whole book, though at times thought about giving up. It improved slightly, but the characters were uninspiring and not terribly likeable. I found the book depressing and annoying - the lead character was so wet. It wasn’t particularly funny either. Not for me.

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1 person found this helpful