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A Single Man Audiobook
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(4.00) - 6,970 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When A Single Man was originally published, it shocked many by its frank, sympathetic, and moving portrayal of a gay man in midlife. George, the protagonist, is adjusting to life on his own after the sudden death of his partner, and determines to persist in the routines of his daily life; the course of A Single Man spans twenty-four hours in an ordinary day. An Englishman and a professor living in suburban Southern California, he is an outsider in every way, and his internal reflections and interactions with others reveal a man who loves being alive despite everyday injustices and loneliness. Wry, suddenly manic, constantly funny, surprisingly sad, this novel catches the texture of life itself.
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"One of the best books I have ever read. So atmospheric and haunting. The protagonist is incredibly flawed but you feel so much for him. His loneliness is so touching and it is so subtle, it just creeps into your mind and stays there. I didn't want to stop reading this."
— Naomi (5 out of 5 stars)
A Single Man Listener Reviews
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" Wow, though I had a few problems with this ass long sentences, the book was even better than the movie <3 "
— Kimi04, 2/16/2014 -
" A bit disappointing. Gay man in mourning for his dead partner. Self indulgent and quite depressing. "
— Wendy, 2/15/2014 -
" An unusual instance where I saw the movie before reading the book. Honestly, the movie captured the mood and emotion of the book better than the book itself, is that possible? Recommended for reading, especially for its time, but the film is really excellent as well. "
— Becky, 2/13/2014 -
" Not at all what I expected. Some really nice prose but the narrative is sort of oddly bland. I didn't need for something more to happen, per se, but I wasn't particularly emotionally moved as I'd anticipated. Strikingly contemporary-feeling for when it was written. "
— Jamie, 1/26/2014 -
" The saving grace of this book is Isherwood's luminous prose, which shines dazzlingly through the cracks of what is an otherwise rather dim and clunky Mrs. Dalloway knockoff centered on a pretentious, vaguely racist character. Sorry Chris, but Michael Cunningham's The Hours is still the tops in gay riffs on Virginia Woolf. "
— Fvck, 1/20/2014 -
" Although the book jacket claims it, I did not find this book to be constantly funny. I did, however, find it to be surprisingly sad. George's partner suddenly dies and he wishes to live life through the simple, every day things. Then one of his students surprises him. The end is awful. I did not fully engage with this one. I didn't connect like I wanted to so I may read it again. I do have the movie so I want to watch it now that I have an idea of what it's about from reading the book. We'll see. "
— Mickey, 1/16/2014 -
" I'm not really sure about this one. I definitely enjoyed it (after i had got past the first few pages and got used to the slightly awkward-to-read style - i am more of a fan of first person narrative than the detached third person...but that detachment is sort of the point here). It also made me think, which is always a good thing for a book to do. I suppose the reason i'm not giving ringing its praises is because it left me feeling uncomfortable...but then again, i think that's the point. I'm not sure i would recommend it to any of my friends, merely because it's quite depressing, but it's certainly an interesting read for those who are open to, and looking for, a good think, rather than just a straight forward narrative. "
— Phillippa, 1/10/2014 -
" Wonderful - the best book I've read since "The Remains of the Day". Funny, sometimes sad, and totally life-affirming. It was a struggle not to pick it up and read it all over again immediately! Truly, truly brilliant, a new favourite of mine. "
— Lauren, 1/7/2014 -
" #2 Favorite Book. Favorite modern novel. "
— David, 1/5/2014 -
" This book, set in 1962, accurately portrays the secret world of a gay man of the period. It is interesting and profoundly sad. The dialogue is very appropriate for the era. "
— William, 12/22/2013 -
" A quick read... had good writing but I felt so sorry for the main character... an aging gay professor whose partner died. "
— Kathy, 12/4/2013 -
" A novel I will definitely pick up to read again... "
— Bobby, 11/5/2013 -
" beautifully written and melancholy "
— Kira, 9/18/2013 -
" Pithy, sad, a real 'page-turner.' Read in almost one sitting. "
— Jenny, 7/8/2013 -
" An absolutely devastating, unnerving, brilliant book. "
— Manel, 5/21/2013 -
" The novel's relevance and timelessness is stunning; its simplicity is inspiring and a little bit heartbreaking. "
— Sam, 4/24/2013 -
" Tom Ford made a beautiful sad film of it. I rewatched it last night and today I opened the book and fell in love from the first page. "
— Esmira, 4/17/2013 -
" At least as good as the movie. "
— Sylvia, 2/13/2013 -
" the ending made me sob. I just don't handle death so well. "
— Clarissa, 2/26/2012 -
" Read the book AND watch the movie. Both were equally good! One of my current favorite books/movies. "
— Tinuviel, 6/28/2011 -
" My god this is amazing. Pair with Chris & Don (documentary). Novel of academe, novel of gay rights, novel of life/death, youth/experience, the contemplation of loss, of existence/self/portrayals. Great work to teach VOICE. "
— Jill, 6/25/2011 -
" This was recommended to me by my girlfriend. It's not the normal subject matter that I'm into - but the story (a day in the life of a gay man whose partner died, and how he copes) is a good listen. You're always wondering what's going to happen next... "
— John, 6/17/2011 -
" Probably my favorite part of this book was the way that Isherwood plays with stream of consciousness - it's not fully streaming, but there's definitely a loose quality to the narrative. You're directly in the head of George, and that alone makes for a riveting read. "
— Christine, 5/25/2011 -
" A beautiful novella that will touch your soul. A classic to be sure, and one you must read to fill that little void in your heart. "
— Nicole, 5/10/2011 -
" This book had the most dryest language and many times I just wanted to quit and read something else. Just dry and boring to me. Skip the book and watch the movie. "
— Dennis, 5/3/2011 -
" Loved the film based on this book. The book is quite good, although, it is perhaps enhanced by having already seeing the film ... and that RARELY happens. "
— Beth, 5/1/2011 -
" An absolutely devastating, unnerving, brilliant book. "
— Manel, 4/22/2011 -
" the ending made me sob. I just don't handle death so well. "
— Clarissa, 4/16/2011
About Christopher Isherwood
Christopher Isherwood (1902–1986) lived in Berlin from 1928 to 1933 and immigrated to the United States in 1939. A major figure in twentieth-century fiction and the gay rights movement, he wrote more than twenty books including A Single Man, which was adapted into a film of the same name in 2009, and a series of short stories that inspired the musical Cabaret. In 2010 his autobiography, Christopher and His Kind, was adapted into a television film by the BBC.
About Simon Prebble
Simon Prebble, a British-born performer, is a stage and television actor and veteran narrator of some three hundred audiobooks. As one of AudioFile’s Golden Voices, he has received thirty-seven Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie in 2010. He lives in New York.