A Possible Life: A Novel in Five Parts Audiobook

" I really liked the 5 parts individually, even though (for me) they did not quite tie together. "

" I really liked the 5 parts individually, even though (for me) they did not quite tie together. "

" The five parts of this novel range in time from the early 19th century to 2029, and in setting through England, France, Poland, Italy, upstate New York and L.A. The threads that connect them run under the surface in occasionally repeated images (an old car seat on a porch, a farmhouse, a hut in the woods and the birth order of siblings. A young man in the 1970's buys a London flat in a building that was originally the Dickensian workhouse of one of the other "parts." The premise seems to me to be that each of us is just a collection of atoms, living one "possible" life or another - Faulks manages to capture the panorama of human experience, at least in our Western modern historical world. One of the most intriguing "parts" is the story of a young Italian scientist in 2029, living in a post-economic crash world that in many ways seems more like that of a much earlier time. "

" The five parts of this novel range in time from the early 19th century to 2029, and in setting through England, France, Poland, Italy, upstate New York and L.A. The threads that connect them run under the surface in occasionally repeated images (an old car seat on a porch, a farmhouse, a hut in the woods and the birth order of siblings. A young man in the 1970's buys a London flat in a building that was originally the Dickensian workhouse of one of the other "parts." The premise seems to me to be that each of us is just a collection of atoms, living one "possible" life or another - Faulks manages to capture the panorama of human experience, at least in our Western modern historical world. One of the most intriguing "parts" is the story of a young Italian scientist in 2029, living in a post-economic crash world that in many ways seems more like that of a much earlier time. "

" Fantastic, a wonderful collection of stories about love and loss. I highly recommend it. "

" Fantastic, a wonderful collection of stories about love and loss. I highly recommend it. "

" This book is being marketed as a novel, but it reads more like five loosely connected short stories. The two set during or close to WWII are the most lyrical and captivating. The futuristic chapter, which I heard was the heart of the book, seemed opaque and not that we'll written, like a sketch of a full novel itself. I was disappointed overall bc I was expecting to love this book based on what I had heard about it. "

" This book is being marketed as a novel, but it reads more like five loosely connected short stories. The two set during or close to WWII are the most lyrical and captivating. The futuristic chapter, which I heard was the heart of the book, seemed opaque and not that we'll written, like a sketch of a full novel itself. I was disappointed overall bc I was expecting to love this book based on what I had heard about it. "

" Couldn't warm to any characters; loved Birdsong. Disappointed. "

" Couldn't warm to any characters; loved Birdsong. Disappointed. "

" I really liked reading this book. The fact that it is subtitled "a novel in five parts" was intriguing to me. I love novels that are linked stories, novels such as Olive Kitteredge. This is nothing like Olive. The connections between these stories are embedded in the themes of individual stories themselves. I think the subtle way each of these stories pushes us to think about our own "Possible Lives" is brilliant. I know I'm holding back and I probably need to write a review and label it as containing spoilers, but right now, I just want to say that this is a book worth reading, and then rereading in order to enjoy all of its pleasures. I loved Birdsong, but I actually think that this Faulks novel is even more wonderful. Later I'll talk about what I got from it...the third and fifth story most obviously contained the book's themes, but I wonder if I'll still feel that way on second reading. For my colleagues at Abington Friends--this is a wonderful spring break book. Think about reading while you are basking in the sun. I'll be at the gym rehabbing my knee and then icing it...and reading. "

" I read only the first 3 parts because the stories were too depressing. We should all be happy that welfare exists today. "

" I read only the first 3 parts because the stories were too depressing. We should all be happy that welfare exists today. "

" Whilst this was a well written book, I didn't enjoy it as much as all the other Sebastian Faulks I've read. Some of the individual short stories captured my interest more than others, but overall I was a bit disappointed. Sorry. "

" Whilst this was a well written book, I didn't enjoy it as much as all the other Sebastian Faulks I've read. Some of the individual short stories captured my interest more than others, but overall I was a bit disappointed. Sorry. "

" Thoughtful and thoroughly engaging. Loved it. "

" Thoughtful and thoroughly engaging. Loved it. "

" So much lost - and yet one survives loss, across the ages and generations. "

" So much lost - and yet one survives loss, across the ages and generations. "

" I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I would call it a book of short stories rather than a novel. "

" I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I would call it a book of short stories rather than a novel. "

" I only found 3 links between these stories; the madonna, Cheeseman and the workhouse. Just figured out another one. The barn where Jeanne worked is the barn where Geoffrey was captured. "

" I only found 3 links between these stories; the madonna, Cheeseman and the workhouse. Just figured out another one. The barn where Jeanne worked is the barn where Geoffrey was captured. "

" I enjoyed the five disparate stories told in different voices at different periods in history and in different places. I would really enjoy discussing this novel with anyone who has read it to talk about the common themes and isolation within the stories/novellas. "

" I enjoyed the five disparate stories told in different voices at different periods in history and in different places. I would really enjoy discussing this novel with anyone who has read it to talk about the common themes and isolation within the stories/novellas. "

" Really well written and easily kept my attention. While I have a hunch that the stories were connected, I only found a few overlapping themes. I chalk that up to being sleep deprived and reading while kids screamed around me... "

" Really well written and easily kept my attention. While I have a hunch that the stories were connected, I only found a few overlapping themes. I chalk that up to being sleep deprived and reading while kids screamed around me... "

" All five endings are hangers. unsure of how i feel over all. would like to give higher stars but do not enjoy hangers "

" All five endings are hangers. unsure of how i feel over all. would like to give higher stars but do not enjoy hangers "