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Armadillo

By: William Boyd
Narrated by: John Sackville
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

One winter morning, Lorimer Black - young, good-looking, but with a somewhat troubled expression - goes to keep a perfectly routine business appointment and finds a hanged man. A bad start to the day by anyone's standards and an ominous portent.

For Lorimer works in the only-slightly corrupt business of financial adjusting, and he is about to learn that it is much uglier - and even more crooked - than he ever imagined. Suddenly, he's being unfairly blamed for all kinds of irregularities. Next, his life is threatened. And, lastly, he's coming to realise that the life he has led till now - the one someone wants to rub out - is one big fat lie....

©1998 William Boyd (P)2020 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

"Marvellously paced and ingeniously plotted. A real page-turner." (Observer)

"A joy to read: easy to get into, addictively plotted and beautifully written." (Daily Mail)

"A novel that is truly comic, and, like all true comedy, also disturbing." (Scotsman)

What listeners say about Armadillo

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

Not one of his best unfortunately

Weak story poor ending , why do I need to say more ! That’s all I want to say audible

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

Great performance, intricate but interesting multi stranded story with great characters. Sorry it had to end.

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

Boyd in darkly witty form

A wonderful ride through Lorimer Black’s carefully curated life and really funny in a quiet and darkly witty way. The narrator is entirely in on it and a tremendous listen. Quite different to many of the other Boyd books but no less magnificent. Highly recommend.

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

too much gratuitous swearing, still more, rubbish

In context possibly for a read, but audio version, too much , probably not even needed, we get the idea. Little persons ears too! It's rubbish, sorry!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Very disappointing

I normally love William Boyd's novels but couldn't get into this at all. Perhaps they don't lend themselves to audiobook format (I have read all the others by him). I didn't much like the narrator, and couldn't identify or sympathise with any of the characters. I stuck with it for nearly two hours and then gave up.

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