Topper Audiobook By Thorne Smith cover art

Topper

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Topper

By: Thorne Smith
Narrated by: Barrett Whitener
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Topper is a hilarious, ribald comedy about a mild-mannered bank manager and two capricious ghosts, George and Marion Kerby, who make it their mission to rescue Topper from the drab "summer of suburban Sundays" that is his life.

Public Domain (P)2001 Blackstone Audiobooks Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Ghosts Horror Literature & Fiction Haunted Scary Funny Witty

Critic reviews

"Barrett Whitener successfully brings the varied characters to life....This is a delightful, thought-provoking read." (AudioFile)

"[Thorne Smith] created the modern American ghost. A ghost with style and wit. A ghost that haunts us still." (The New York Times)
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I enjoyed this story and the performance very much. The story was a bit racier than I would have expected, though. There is fair amount of drunkeness and even a suggestion of adultery! Nothing surprising today, perhaps, but this was written in the 1920's, and made into a movie as well. It's not that I'm a prude, it was just unexpected. The story is charming, though, and the characters well drawn.

Surprisingly racy

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Would you try another book from Thorne Smith and/or Barrett Whitener?

The is a light hearted romance story with a bit of a twist. Easy listening

Light hearted

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What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Dont know. I guess I was expecting a story closer to the movies storyline. That's something not under Audible's control.

What could Thorne Smith have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Nothing.

What character would you cut from Topper?

All the extra ghosts.

Loved the movie, bored by the book

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Didn't finish this one, I expected it to be funny but it was just a sad comentary on an old stick in the mud's life.

lost interest,

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Would you try another book from Thorne Smith and/or Barrett Whitener?

I won't be reading another book by these authors

Would you be willing to try another one of Barrett Whitener’s performances?

No.

Could you see Topper being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe

Any additional comments?

I loved the TV series but this book just moved too slow for me.

Slow moving story line.

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When I read this book forty-odd years ago I thought it was the funniest thing ever written. Revisiting it as an audiobook was a huge disappointment. The humour seems so puerile and downright cringe-making. Not the fault of the author - it was hilarious in its time, but it hasn't survived the test of time like the great classics.

It's a mistake to revisit the past

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Unlike other reviewers, I am glad I did not read the description in great detail before purchasing this book. It was a surprisingly good comedy. I did not realize that the whole story was a dream until the end of the book. It was very funny and I laughed out loud several times. My husband asked me what I was laughing about? I told him I was listening to a book about a man who buys a haunted car and can't get rid of 2 prankster ghosts, so he goes on an adventure with them. I liked the narrator of this book. He had a very pleasant voice and I think he did a good job. I usually read mystery/thriller books so this was a nice change.

Good comedy.

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I found, despite the relatively slow start that I enjoyed the book, the pace never got hectic, but went along at an entertaining pace. I believe I had a head start in understanding the characters because of the TV series Topper that I watched when I was young(er).
The decade in which this story is set is characterised by the politeness of the characters towards one another. A tad excessive by todays standards.

Not for the uninitiated

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Remembering the "Topper" movies from years ago, I looked forward to listening to this book. I was disappointed. Barrett Whitener narrated the story well, it was just a poor script he had to read. If you think it's funny for a middle-aged man to leave his wife and stay drunk all the time, you might like this story. I found nothing humorous about this book, unlike the movies. Don't waste your money or your time!!

Good Reader, Poor Story

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When I started Topper it seemed a bit slow, but as soon as the ghosts of Toppers new car arrive it was a blast. Topper was written in the 1920's and is a delightful trip back in time. Thorne's character Cosmo Topper is hillarious.

Delighful ride in a haunted car

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