The Ascent of Rum Doodle
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The Ascent of Rum Doodle
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Narrated by:
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Terry Wale
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Bill Bryson
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By:
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W. E. Bowman
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
First published in 1956, The Ascent of Rum Doodle quickly became established as a mountaineering classic. As an outrageously funny spoof about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot peak, many thought it inspired by the 1953 conquest of Everest. But Bowman had drawn on the flavour and tone of earlier adventures, of Bill Tilman and his 1937 account of the Nandi Devi expedition. The book's central and unforgettable character, Binder, is one of the finest creations in comic literature.
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What listeners say about The Ascent of Rum Doodle
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-10-13
What a fantastic listen!
The Ascent of Rum Doodle is seriously one of the funniest books I've ever read. It's silly nature belies the satire of machismo and very British "stiff-upper-lip"ness.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a hilarious read. Give it a couple of chapters and you won't be disappointed!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- NJ
- 23-01-20
Rather funny
This is rather funny, or perhaps it is just the rarefied air affecting my judgment.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- John Turner
- 07-03-19
Pink Panther meets Alan Partridge!
Hilarious story, very cleverly written. Fantastic narration. The age and the fact this was a story about climbing made me nervous about this audiobook - please do not let these put you off. It is brilliant!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 03-04-23
A laugh out loud masterpiece
As a keen reader /listener of factual mountain adventure accounts I find this book hilarious
it is written and expressed in much the same way as books of expeditions were at the time in 1950’s - a brilliantly parody delivered by an exceptional narrator,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- S Anthony
- 01-02-17
Very good entertainment
A very rewarding book. So well written. Flawless deadpan narration by Terry Wale who absolutely 'gets' everything about this story. Charmingly, the main character misunderstands almost everything that happens. Great humour.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 08-07-24
brilliant parody
this was an hilarious account of mid century mountaineering the Europeans taking credit for native Himalayan Sherpas
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julian
- 16-06-15
Great fun
Brilliant fun story. The best of British satirical wit. Should be read by all right thinking englishmen.
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1 person found this helpful
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- g
- 11-07-15
So funny.
The funniest book I've ever read. This should be much better known about . A classic !
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- JenJen
- 05-08-15
Classic British humour of a bygone age
Would you listen to The Ascent of Rum Doodle again? Why?
Probably, it was a really easy listen enjoyable romp featuring the unique 'Britishness' of the early 20th century and is not afraid to laugh at itself. If I was in need of a very silly, funny and under it all, heartwarming tale that is not taxing to the mind, doesn't make you think too much this would be my first choice. I can see myself listening to this again while I work and scaring the horses laughing.
Would you recommend The Ascent of Rum Doodle to your friends? Why or why not?
It would really depend on the friend. To be clear, this is not up everybody's street. But if a friend shared my enjoyment of this type of comedy rooted in classic Britishness then absolutely I would recommend.
What three words best describe Terry Wale and Bill Bryson ’s voice?
Clear, fun and very british. I keep going on about this Britishness thing and even though I am British myself and live in England what I am referring to is the overblown stereotype of early 20th century, public school educated with RP English accents. The reading brought every bit of that out and gave a life to the story that would have been lost if I was reading the book myself.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I am not sure at all that this book would work as a film. But if it did I think it would be:Do YOU have a fiancee?
Any additional comments?
I heard about this book through Radio 4 book of the week. The story and comments it received on the show grabbed my interest. I started hoping for a silly romp full of classic British humour and I got just that. Think Carry on film without the adult humour and smuttiness.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Roger G.
- 27-09-16
Brilliantly funny story
Having read the book many years ago, I knew this to be a very funny story. Furthermore, the brilliant narration by Terry Wale enhances the comedy, so listening to this is guaranteed to have you chuckling out loud.
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