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Dearest Jane
- Narrated by: Joan Walker
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
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Summary
As the eldest daughter of a prolific letter writer, Jane Torday received hundreds of letters from her father over the years. From irreverent advice and hilarious family anecdotes to moments of great poignancy, Roger Mortimer‘s missives are a touching and witty portrait of his life and relationships over the years.
Dearest Jane begins with Roger’s time as a young army officer in Egypt, and then as a POW in the Second World War, where his sense of humour endured despite the conditions. Jane accompanies her father’s letters with her own memories and anecdotes, as we meet familiar characters such as Nidnod, Lupin and Lumpy, and learn more about the extended family, friends and pets who leap from the pages of his letters.This is an arresting and extraordinary record, not only of Roger Mortimer’s life but also of the history of an entire family between 1960 and 1991. Sparkling with the dry wit for which Mortimer’s letters are famous, and accompanied by an affectionate personal portrait, this book will delight both old and new readers.
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- Andrew Golder
- 22-07-20
Another Brilliant helping of the irreverent.
Another Brilliant helping of the irreverent, the informative, the amusing family letters from a Father to his daughter. If you haven't read or listened to this and another book of letters from the pen of the same Father to his son then you are missing something wonderful in 'Dear Jane' and the previous family book 'Dear Lupin'; I long for 'Dear Lumpy' to become available in audio format to complete the hilariously entertaining trilogy.
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- Hedgehog
- 16-03-17
Great content - irritating 'sing song' narrator
Thoroughly enjoyed author's reflections about her dad former journalist Roger Mortimer.
BUT: Sadly, for me, the female narrator's voice was intensely irritating when assuming character of Roger in a 'sing song' manner. Narrator (not the author reading) needs to brush up her RP as well as dropped a couple of flat 'a's! Really let the cat out! Very faux public school.
Shame that two performers were not used to distinguish between voice of female author and the voice of the subject of the biog Roger. The brother's book 'Dear Lupin' had a fabulous pair of performers - Nicky Henson whom I think read 'Roger's' part would have been ideal again.
Hope the other sister Lumpy and second book by the son Lupin make it to audible too - currently they haven't.
Both the family's books so far bring the late Roger to life with great humour - he must have been a fabulous dad and dinner party guest!
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- Cork
- 19-05-17
Touching, riotous, and so much more
First, I purchased this book because Joan Wilson is the reader. She is outstanding here, as always. The book itself is a joy, even with its sadnesses. Life. Mortimer's letters show deep affection, hilarious commentary, and a refreshing humility and honesty. An absolute pleasure.