Trains and Lovers Audiobook By Alexander McCall Smith cover art

Trains and Lovers

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Trains and Lovers

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie
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In the words of Alexander McCall Smith: "You feel the rocking of the train, you hear the sound of its wheels on the rails; you are in the world rather than suspended somewhere above it. And sometimes there are conversations to be had, which is what the overarching story in this collection is all about. It is a simple device: people brought together entertain one another with tales of what happened to them on trains. It takes place on a journey I frequently make myself and know well, the journey between Edinburgh and London. It is best read on a train, preferably that one."

©2013 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2013 Recorded Books Anthologies & Short Stories Contemporary Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Short Stories Urban Women's Fiction
Touching Stories • Thought-provoking Narratives • Meaningful Themes • Differentiated Voices • Surprising Events
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The British narrator for some reason thinks all Americans have a Southern accent, including those from New York and New England.

Listened to a whole 12-book series (44 Scotland Street) by the same author and narrator. The narrator sometimes pause between words to express an attitude, but it sounds very annoying. I have a hard time standing him sometimes.

Narrator good most of the time but can be annoying

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Uplifting while being informative and entertaining! Easy to listen to while driving. Fiction with solid facts.

AMS at his usual entertaining best!

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Smith weaves fansitnating tales out of ordinary lives with out death, crime or the usual hooks 🪝.

interesting again

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I find Alexander McCall Smith my dearest author these days. What I appreciate most is his insight into the human condition and relationships.

This book is shorter than most of his works, but it packs the most wonderful exposition on the subject of Love that I have read in a long time.

I recommend this book highly for its touching and particularly meaningful story.

About love and life ...

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Interesting characters, surprising events, a philosophy of moral luck, a sense of integrity is pervasive in the story, and a great story for those like me who love trains and the journeys they take

Beautiful Writing

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This book is written somewhat in the style of the 44 Scotland Street Stories. It consists of 4 different stories told in chapters each going back and forth between four passengers riding together on a train.. Each story very different but with a central theme, Love. Likeable characters made the stories they shared very entertaining.

Loved It

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“Trains and Lovers” was an OK read but I would not say it was a “novel”. Alexander McCall Smith’s writing is good and flows well. It was good and entertaining about the human experience. Experienced as an Audio book.

OK read but I would not say it was a “novel”

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This is basically a collection of four short stories as each character tells their story, with no connection except some slight reference to trains. The narrator tried to differentiate voices, but not very well, in particular the regional accents. I think I’m spoiled by Lisette Lecat and Davina Porter. Mma Ramotswe stories are also slight, but more loveable.

Not a waste of time, you might enjoy it

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I am wondering if Alexander McCall Smith intends to revisit these characters again. Their stories are satisfying and thought-provoking, but one is left wondering what will happen to the characters in the future.

The stories are supposed to be as told by strangers on a train, yet the narrators have very similar styles. They tell their stories in much too complex a manner, with events from years ago told in great detail, with even the conversations sounding as if they just happened yesterday. In one case, conversations are recounted third hand - the narrator was not even alive at the time, and the person speaking is not her father. Yet, every word was there. I often found myself wondering - is the person actually speaking, or is this supposed to be a flashback?

Not one of his best, but still, hard to resist.

Nice, but somehow left hanging

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This started so slowly that I almost gave up, but once the (4) passengers began to share their stories, I was pulled along with them on their journey. I was charmed by each story.

Slow start to a satisfying journey on the train

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