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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 Genre Fiction Funny Heartfelt Witty

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All stars
Most relevant

Would you listen to The Understudy again? Why?

Yes, very interested the whole way through and perfect for a tube book.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the acting culture and books that are based around things and places i know this was funny, witty and a good story to follow.

Which character – as performed by Paul Thornley – was your favourite?

Steve, very believable realistic and easy to follow. also i love under dog stories.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

classic under dog story set against the hard life of a west end actor.

Great funny Story

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I mostly enjoyed this light-hearted and at times farcical account of the understudy's gaucheness and lack of confidence leading to embarrassing scenes. The story follows a trail of disasters and missed opportunities. I felt some of the humour was laboured with scenes milked too long for laughs.
The narrator is excellent as usual

Enjoyable exploits of an aspiring actor

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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 :)

Fun

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Loved Paul Thornley's performance, really well done Very funny in parts but not Nicholls' best.

fantastic narration

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I didn’t really dislike anything it was an enjoyable read but not unforgettable . Very good narration

It was unusual but I wished they could have started there romance together earlier

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