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Audiobooks > Fiction >  General Fiction > All the Little Live Things
All the Little Live Things Audiobook, by Wallace Stegner Play Audiobook Sample

Download All the Little Live Things Audiobook

4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00) - 1,365 customer ratings
All the Little Live Things Audiobook, by Wallace Stegner Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Wallace Stegner Narrator: Edward Herrmann Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Release Date: May 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781481586184
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Publisher Description

Award-winning and bestselling author Wallace Stegner takes on the hippy generation in a novel of “crackling vividness” (New York Times Book Review).

Joe Allston, the retired literary agent in Stegner’s National Book Award–winning novel The Spectator Bird, returns in this disquieting and keenly observed novel. Scarred by the senseless death of their son and baffled by the engulfing chaos of the 1960s, Allston and his wife, Ruth, have left the coast for a California retreat. And although their new home looks like Eden, it also has its serpents: Jim Peck, a messianic exponent of drugs, yoga, and sex, and Marian Catlin, an attractive young woman whose otherwordly innocence is far more appealing—and far more dangerous.

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Quotes

  • “Quite simply, a beautiful novel—strong, moving, wise, funny—as topical as today’s newspaper.”

    - Publishers Weekly

  • “The Great Gastby captures the twenties and yet transcends them. All the Little Live Things is a comparable achievement for the sixties…Stegner’s craft is here at an apex.”

    - Virginia Quarterly Review

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Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Powerful book, better after you've been married and had children. "

    - Sarah, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It was such a treat to read Stegner again. This book lead me to much introspection about what I do and say and what I really want to do and say. Great writing by a great author. "

    - Gloria, 2/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Get out your dictionaries..it's a Wally book. Of course, amazing writing abilities, sad, deep, poignant story. More like a 3 1/2 star for me. "

    - Amy, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This one was hard to read because Stegner lets you know, in the first few pages, that it will be sad, and it's heavy on introspection. The narrator/main character is lovable and infuriating, funny but unwilling to bend or change. He figures things out the hard way. I wept through the final chapters. "

    - Anna, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I think this novel was supposed to make a person think and also leave an optimistic ending on a sad story. It just made me sad. While I can see why some people would like this book more than I did, I only gave it 2 stars, because I felt like the author was trying to force some philosophies on the reader, and that turned me off. "

    - Duncanhome, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of those rare novels that has stayed with me in its entirety for almost twenty years. I remember specific moments of holding it in my hands, the first time I read it -- of bus rides and cafes, of an ugly green linen jacket I wore a lot back then. Sad and lovely, just like life. "

    - Amy, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Wallace Stegner is a wonderful writer with an incredible gift. "

    - Lisa, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All the Little Live Things was a great read. I liked the format of the book and the narrative. It was interesting how Stegner revealed the layers of the narrator, much of his feeling devulged in a letter never sent. Another high pt was the great depiction of the awkwardness of human relationship especially father/son relationships. All in all an amusing and moving read. "

    - Nichole, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Wallace Stegner writes beautifully. His attention to the details is remarkable. There are things that I liked about this book and parts that bothered me, but I loved the character, Marian. She made the book for me. I wished I was a little more like her. This book has one of the most beautifully written endings I've read. "

    - Molly, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " The little community depicted in this book is hard to resist, despite (or maybe because of?) its slightly sour eccentricities. Stegner's prose is incredibly beautiful; possibly my favorite sentence is: "The days dripped away like honey off a spoon." What an image... "

    - Amy, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very intense. I feel quite shell-shocked by the ending. But a beautiful book. This is my first Stegner; I will for sure read more. "

    - Hashi, 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Complex character of Joe - who is flawed in so many ways and because of that intensely human. Love the tension between the characters, the hippie commune, so very 60s/70s. "

    - Househound, 11/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " All Stegner is excellent... "

    - Janet, 11/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Anything by Stegner is worth reading. This book looks at the affect suicide has on the ones left behind. "

    - Jean, 11/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Enjoyable read. I did not like this one quite as much as Angle of Repose, but still very good. "

    - Kim, 10/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is like a train wreck. You can see what is going to happen. You can't do anything about it. And you can't look away. I can't say that I enjoyed it but I couldn't force myself to stop reading. "

    - Dave, 7/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Another excellent read. Short and compelling. "

    - Liz, 3/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Miraculous piece of writing, very powerful, poignant, not afraid of emotion. "

    - Peter, 1/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A very introspective narrative. Smart, sad, and a celebration of the wonders of life. "

    - Bob, 7/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " bookclub choice. I like this author and will read more by him. "

    - P, 6/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " atmospheric. i was expecting a much more exciting ending. well, the ending was exciting, just not the way i was imagining it would be. more weird exciting than climactic yet true to life exciting. "

    - Chrissie, 2/1/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent writer. "

    - Sydney, 1/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Perfectly constructed and devastating, this book will slap you across your fat face. "

    - Alec, 1/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A well written,beautiful story of friendship,love and loss. "

    - Geneva, 8/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I loved the way this book was written - you can easily become enwrapped in each character and the conflicts that they each face throughout the book. "

    - Jenny, 7/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I mainly think Wallace Stegner's writing is just lovely. This book took me a minute to get into, but then I really enjoyed it. I loved the amazing pictures he painted throughout the book and thought the story/issues came together artfully and symbolically beautiful at the end. "

    - Annie, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I loved this book. Stegner is a beautiful and descriptive writer. There was a night of blubbering in bed. If a book can evoke such emotion, it is good! I want to read more of Stegner! "

    - Nmsbay, 5/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is one of those rare novels that has stayed with me in its entirety for almost twenty years. I remember specific moments of holding it in my hands, the first time I read it -- of bus rides and cafes, of an ugly green linen jacket I wore a lot back then. Sad and lovely, just like life. "

    - Amy, 4/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very good book. A bit hard to read at times, but he builds the story slowly and beautifully. "

    - Kalpana, 4/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Reading on my Touch. Stegner is always engaging. Not my favorite but . . . there is always more than the words on the page. "

    - Mary, 3/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Get out your dictionaries..it's a Wally book. Of course, amazing writing abilities, sad, deep, poignant story. More like a 3 1/2 star for me. "

    - Amy, 2/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Sophisticated writing. Most authors dream of writing this well. Interesting setting and ideas. "

    - Holli, 2/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " just couldn't get into this. I loved the writing but I'm still not done with the book. The story seems to drag on and not go anywhere. Sorry folks thought it would grab me but never did. "

    - Christine, 1/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Beautiful, thought-provoking, lyrical, masterful writing! I started giving it a 5, but the beginning was a bit difficult to get into. Then it takes off and soars. I think I am now a Stegner fan. "

    - Sue, 1/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not my most favorite Stegner but it built to a powerful yet thoughtful ending. An interesting take on California in the 60s and the generation gap, from a sophisticated observer. And of course the sense of place (the West) was wonderful. "

    - Sue, 11/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I mainly think Wallace Stegner's writing is just lovely. This book took me a minute to get into, but then I really enjoyed it. I loved the amazing pictures he painted throughout the book and thought the story/issues came together artfully and symbolically beautiful at the end. "

    - Annie, 10/30/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Utterly, utterly depressing. Excellent writing, but there is certainly no "happily ever after" ending. "

    - Cory, 10/28/2010

About the Author

Wallace Stegner (1909–1993) wrote many books of fiction and nonfiction, including Crossing to Safety and the National Book Award–winning The Spectator Bird. Angle of Repose won the Pulitzer Prize in 1972. An American historian, novelist, short story writer, and environmentalist, Stegner was often called the “dean of Western writers” and has left a lasting legacy in the literary community.

About the Narrator

Edward Herrmann (1943–2014) was one of America’s top audiobook narrators. He won multiple Audie Awards and twenty-two Earphones Awards, and his narration of the King James version of the Bible remains a benchmark in the industry.