The Pavilion in the Clouds

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: David Rintoul

It is 1938 and the final days of the British Empire. In a bungalow high up in the green hills above the plains of Ceylon, under a vast blue sky, live the Ferguson family: Bella, a precocious eight-year-old; her father Henry—owner of Pitlochry, a tea plantation—and her mother Virginia. The story centres around the Pavilion in the Clouds, set in the idyllic grounds carved out of the wilderness. But all is not as serene as it seems. Bella is suspicious of her governess, Miss White’s intentions. Her suspicion sparks off her mother’s imagination and after an unfortunate series of events, a confrontation is had with Miss White and a gunshot rings off around the hills.

Years later, Bella, now living back in Scotland at university in St Andrews, is faced, once again with her past. Will she at last find out what happened between her Father and Miss White? And will the guilt she has lived with all these years be reconciled by a long over-due apology?

©2022 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2022 Recorded Books

Somewhat strange story

The story has 2 parts and each one ends rather abruptly! It seemed mysterious with little solution.

pavilion in the clouds

So very different from other books by this author, but as always very human and touching, showing the unnecessary baggage we carry with us from childhood into adulthood

Weird story

I really did not enjoy this book. The ending redeemed it a little. Kind of depressing. But good narration. I’m going to stick to 1st Ladies from now on. I’m bummed because I bought this in 2 for 1 sale and a few days later a 1st Ladies book showed up which wasn’t there before. Wish I’d gotten that instead!

Characters

Dolls talking was therapy for Belle. She was lonely and they were her friends. She probably became a better mother than her own.

Get Over It

Alexander McCall Smith gets into the inner lives of his characters, and the message his characters learn here is simple — Get over it. Don't worry. Because we don't really understand how things were when we were children, nor do we know all of the players or viewpoints that made up the story of which our lives are only a subtext of a greater story. But most of all, forgive yourself and move on. Superb narration with a tone of melancholic introspection.