Pages

Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Beginner's Goodbye (audio)- Bookish Thoughts #33



What The Beginner's Goodbye is about:

Anne Tyler gives us a wise, haunting, and deeply moving new novel in which she explores how a middle-aged man, ripped apart by the death of his wife, is gradually restored by her frequent appearances—in their house, on the roadway, in the market.


I couldn't wait to get to this book because Diane@Bibliophile By The Sea, gave it 5 stars! When I saw it in audio form at my library, I decided to listen to it instead! I am here to confirm that her five star rating was right on and I think the audio comes close to being perfect too!  I found myself at times laughing at the pictures Aaron's words created in my mind, and other times feeling his sorrow so much that it hurt. The title of this story is wonderful and I feel that it ties the whole book together in regards to what Aaron did for a living and how he tried to go on living after the loss of his wife.

Recommend? Absolutely and without hesitation! This will be one of my favorite audios to date because I loved the humanity of the story and the sheer exquisiteness of Tyler's words. She writes with such an ease and allows the reader or listener in this case, to lose themselves within the pages of her stories of ordinary people experiencing grief and starting over.

Source: Public Library
Narrator: Kirby Heyborn- He did an excellent job and I felt that he captured the essence of Aaron.
Length of audio: 6 hours and 22 minutes


Bookish Thoughts #33
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

20 comments:

  1. So glad to read that you enjoyed this one as much as me. It's definitely on my Top 5 list for this year. Glad the audio was just as good. Your passionate review makes me want to read it again:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh boy, adding it to my list. I need to get some extra audible credits! Glad you loved it, Staci. I've enjoyed a few of her novels.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Alright. I'll give this one another try. I have it on my Nano and started it a month or so ago, but switched to another book (Little Princes, I think). I trust your opinion (and Diane's), so I'm just going to have to listen to this one as soon as I finish Wild. Thanks for the recommendation!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This sounds like a cute book of a man coping in his own way! Anne Tyler is such a good writer!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am loving this review!! Adding this one to my list!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love Anne Tyler and have this in print. Now I wish I had the audio version.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just discovered the joy of audio books (I posted my first audio review today). I don't remember reading any Anne Tyler but I will look for her books on audio from now on. The combination of a great writer and narrator makes for some awesome listening.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anne Tyler is a great writer. I haven't read this one but it's now on my tbr list. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. If I get back into audio books, I'll make sure to give this one a try. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get to this one someday. nice review.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I need to request this. I think I haven't read anything yet by her!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I was excited to read it, but when I began, I found I couldn't bear it. Really too sad for me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I trust your and Diane's judgement so this one is going on the list. Updated Adobe and voila! I can now comment. Sheeeeeesh. Glad that was the simple answer but it sure gave me some aggravation.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You've got me intrigued. Not really into sad stories but once in a while they hit the spot. Put it on my wishlist.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I haven't listened to a good audio in a while, sounds like this would be just the ticket, as heartwrenching as it is I love reading about peoples' journey through grief

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anne Tyler has become an 'audio author' for me. I've listened to her last 3 or 4 books and have enjoyed them all very much (especially Digging to America). This one is on my ridiculously long audio wish list, too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow! After that review, how can I possibly pass this one up? As I am really into audios these days, I believe that will be my format of choice as well. This will also be my first Anne Tyler book, although I do own another one. Can't wait to give this one a listen!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I used to read a lot of Tyler but haven't picked up one of her books in years. This one sounds like the one to get me back to Tyler.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Tyler is one of a handful of authors who is on my Read Everyhting They Read list! This one looks good (but sad).

    ReplyDelete

Hello Friends!! I want to take this moment to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and thank you for leaving me a comment.

* Because of the excessive spam I have decided not to allow anonymous users to comment.

Happy Reading!