Clara’s Verdict
The ninth book sees Paddington branching out into some unexpected new hobbies, and Paddington Takes the Air is all the more entertaining for it. Watching this most methodical of bears apply himself to detective work, of all things, is a genuine treat, and Michael Bond mines the premise for exactly the kind of gentle absurdity the series does so well.
There is a lovely predictability to these stories that I mean as high praise. You know Paddington will approach each new venture with total seriousness, you know it will go sideways, and you know that somehow he will emerge more or less intact and entirely unrepentant. That reliability is the comfort at the heart of the series, and it never grows stale.
It is warm, funny and faintly ridiculous in the best way, and it makes for an easy, cheering listen for readers of any age.
About the Audiobook
Paddington Takes the Air is the ninth book in Michael Bond’s Paddington series, and it opens with Mrs Brown voicing a familiar suspicion. She wishes she could see into Paddington’s mind, she says, because she can always recognise the signs when something is brewing. She has good reason to worry.
In these stories Paddington develops an enthusiasm for detective work, and, not content with that, tries his paw at sewing and ballroom dancing besides. Each new interest opens the door to fresh comic possibilities, and Paddington throws himself into all of them with his usual earnest determination and predictably chaotic results. The pleasure lies in watching him take each pursuit entirely seriously while everything around him quietly falls apart.
For more than fifty years these adventures have delighted readers young and old, and this instalment keeps faith with everything that makes them work. The situations are new, but the essential ingredients of a sincere bear, an unsuspecting world and a great deal of good will are as dependable as ever.
The Narration
Hugh Bonneville is once again behind the microphone, and his reading is as assured and affectionate as ever. He captures Paddington’s grave sense of purpose beautifully, so that each new hobby feels like a serious undertaking rather than a joke at the bear’s expense. The comedy is allowed to arise naturally from the situations, which is exactly the right approach for material this fond.
At around two hours and thirty-three minutes, the audiobook offers a generous helping of stories at a length that suits family listening well. Bonneville’s pacing is unhurried and clear, keeping each episode distinct and giving the humour space to breathe. His warmth makes him an ideal guide through Paddington’s latest enthusiasms, and the result is a reading that feels less like a performance than like being told a favourite story by a friend.
The book’s more unusual escapades gain a great deal from the spoken form. Paddington solemnly turning detective, or taking a determined run at ballroom dancing, is funnier still when Bonneville plays each new ambition entirely straight. For young listeners it makes an inviting, easy-to-follow listen, and for the grown-ups reading along there is real pleasure in the timing, which is unhurried enough to let every punchline settle before the next one arrives.
What Readers Say
The audiobook holds a strong 4.6 average across more than a hundred and thirty ratings, and the reviews are consistently warm. One reader called it a fantastic book, funny and full of mischief and adventure, and admitted it kept them wanting to read more. Another, returning to the series after many years, said the memories came flooding back and the stories were just as good as they remembered.
There is a recurring sense of the series being handed down through families. One parent noted that their son loved Paddington after being introduced to him, and found this a great story to follow on with. A longtime admirer simply observed that Bond was consistently good, which, across a series this long, is no small compliment. The reviews add up to a portrait of a book that satisfies newcomers and devoted followers alike.
The enthusiasm often starts young. One parent noted that their seven-year-old is a devoted Paddington fan, delighted to receive each new title, while another described introducing their son to the bear and watching him seize eagerly on this next instalment. Across the reviews the sense is of a character children take to quickly and parents are only too glad to encourage, which may be the most useful recommendation of all for a family audiobook.
Who Should Listen?
This is another strong family choice, particularly for children who enjoy short, episodic stories and for parents keen to introduce a new generation to Paddington. Its gentle humour and complete lack of anything objectionable make it an easy recommendation for bedtime or the car.
If the thought of Paddington turning detective, or taking to the dance floor, brings a smile, you can Listen to Paddington Takes the Air on Audible. Whatever he sets his mind to, the outcome is never quite what anyone planned.
