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Happiness Audiobook, by Will Ferguson Play Audiobook Sample

Happiness Audiobook

Happiness Audiobook, by Will Ferguson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Jim Frangione Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440709241

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

54

Longest Chapter Length:

58:46 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:35 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

13:19 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

8

Other Audiobooks Written by Will Ferguson: > View All...

Publisher Description

This biting satire won Canadian author Will Ferguson the prestigious Canadian Authors Association Award for Fiction as well as a Leacock Medal for Humour. Lowly editor Edwin de Valu's life moves at a pretty humdrum pace, until he discovers the manuscript for Tupak Soiree's book on his desk. This self-help tome is different-it actually works. And soon the world turns upside down thanks to the advice of this mysterious guru. "Gleefully nasty. If Mel Brooks set The Producers in the publishing industry, he'd come up with something like this."-Kirkus Reviews

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"I laughed throughout this novel! It's the story of self-help book that inexplicably works, resolving an array of issues and making the world unbearably bland and banal. The main character, Edwin, is the book's editor and is in the 0.3% minority of people unaffected by the book. He makes it his mission to undo the chaos he's unwittingly set loose on the world -- hilarity ensues. The tone and humor remind me somewhat of Christopher Buckley, another very funny author, but this is more acerbic, a real cri de coeur from someone who (I'm guessing) has seen one too many self-help books. As a former editor at a large publishing house, I have to protest against the portrayal of editorial staff -- but I admit even that is really funny. Highly recommended."

— Andrea (4 out of 5 stars)

Happiness Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.8333333333333335 out of 53.8333333333333335 out of 53.8333333333333335 out of 53.8333333333333335 out of 53.8333333333333335 out of 5 (3.83)
5 Stars: 12
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was an impulse buy in the bargain racks and worth it! It's entertaining for 'word-nerds' and a good dose of cynicism. Very quick and easy read! "

    — Erin, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book when it first came out and it has stuck with me. If you believe in self-help books, this is for you. If you are skeptical to self-help books, this is for you. I'm afraid any more info might spoil it for you. Overall rating is excellent assuming you have a sense of humor. Recommended for fans of Tom Robbins. "

    — Frank, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like to call this the intellectual's beach read. It's absolutely flighty and diverting, but in a sharp, witty, critical way. In a non-spoiling nutshell, it pokes fun of the entire self-help craze (much of which is selfishly motivated) by outlining the somewhat accidental publication of a self-help manual that actually works. Hilarity ensues. Intellectual or not, beach or no, this book is fun. "

    — Kate, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is perhaps my favourite novel. "

    — Neuropedia, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this years ago (possibly in 2006?) and remember very little about it, except that it's about what might happen if people were actually happy (answer: things fall apart - who needs booze, cigarettes, true love, amusement parks when you're already as happy as you can be?). I've been reading newer Ferguson novels though and thought I'd fish this one up from the basement to add to the Stuff to Read pile, which has only gotten larger since I got a library card and feel compelled to finish the library books before starting the books I already own. (I guess I should stop taking out books.) "

    — Kristel, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " To My Surprise, this book turned out to be one of the most enjoyable books I have every read. The story engaged me in ways that were both unexpected, and humorous. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever worked in publishing or interested in the field; it is a story that highlights some of publishers and editors greatest fears that lie beyond the horizon of their greatest successes. "

    — Ryan, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " when i started this book, i was immediately taken by its sharp satire and its smartness but i was quickly disappointed. it did not amount to its promises "

    — Syroezhka, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I don't know why the title has been entered in Japanese. It's in English and a great read about editing a book and how it leads to the destruction of the world. "

    — Niki, 12/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this almost at one sitting on a sneaky sickie from work when I took a bus to the middle of nowhere on a gorgeous day. It was just the therapy I needed. Very funny. "

    — Karen, 9/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Will Ferguson is a genius at using humour to make sincere, insightful points about the world around him. "

    — Tina, 6/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Started off very snarky and funny, loved the satire on writers and publishers, but fell off toward the end when it was all plot. "

    — Jon, 1/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Overall I was disappointed in this book. It started off promising, as the self-help book industry was ridiculed mercilessly. There were many laugh out loud moments, but the latter part of the book just became way TOO ridiculous. Could've been so much better, it was just too patchy for my liking. "

    — Mftcc, 12/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I've read a lot of books and this is my favourite book of all time. I read it in one sitting! It's so underrated and really difficult to find but give it a chance, I promise you'll love it! "

    — Sahar, 8/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A funny smart book, full of (un)lovable characters, about the extreme consequences of a self-help book actually working. A wonderful read. "

    — Sheila, 7/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I bought this book on a bargain bin whim and was not disappointed. I need to put it through a re-read. Ferguson is a humorous story teller. This book could have easily been predictable but it wasn't. "

    — Melissa, 3/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " it was either the timing was right to read this book or it is truly one of the best. I enjoyed the concept, humor, irony, - everything so much. "

    — Ann, 2/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " He writes like I talk! I have never laughed out loud harder or more often than when I read this book. Even a reread is still hilarious. "

    — Patty, 12/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Parts of this book were quite funny, but overall its message is cynical and unconvincing. At times, the writing did not work - jokes were stretched or repeated when they should have been left to be pondered in the mind of the reader. "

    — Bill, 10/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I remember buying this book more than I remember reading it, which I suppose says something. "

    — Katie, 5/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I remember buying this book more than I remember reading it, which I suppose says something. "

    — Katie, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I don't think I like reading humour - or at least this kind... "

    — Philip, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " it was either the timing was right to read this book or it is truly one of the best. I enjoyed the concept, humor, irony, - everything so much. "

    — Ann, 2/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Molto, molto divertente, caustica e piena di trovate la prima parte, peccato che verso la fine l'autore si conceda qualche lungaggine (e qualche predica) di troppo, e il ritmo e lo humor ne risentano. "

    — Moloch, 1/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Freaking hilarious. I found this book in a bargain pile at a garage sale and it made me so happy, I found copies to give to several friends. What if self-help books actually worked? According to Will Ferguson, bad bad things happen. Highly recommend. "

    — Shannon, 12/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " so funny and wonderfully witty. the premise is fascinating. everything about this book is wonderful. "

    — Emily, 12/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is perhaps my favourite novel. "

    — Neuropedia, 11/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Ho faticato ad entrare nella storia, la prima parte l'ho trovata parecchio noiosa. <br/>Si è risollevato con la seconda (motivo per cui la sufficienza la raggiunge comunque) ma con la terza si è di nuovo perso miseramente. <br/> "

    — cristina, 11/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Overall I was disappointed in this book. It started off promising, as the self-help book industry was ridiculed mercilessly. There were many laugh out loud moments, but the latter part of the book just became way TOO ridiculous. Could've been so much better, it was just too patchy for my liking. "

    — Mftcc, 10/30/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I always recommend this book. To everyone. The writing is simple, the metaphors non-existant, and the story absolutely genius. It speak (shouts, rather) directly to my sensibilities, and if you have a sense of humor + impeding pre-remorse for the fate of our culture, it'll do the same for you. "

    — Morgan, 10/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " WHAT IF a self-help book actually worked for most everybody that read it? "

    — Otis, 9/13/2010

About Will Ferguson

Will Ferguson is the author of several award-winning and critically-acclaimed books, including Beyond Belfast and Happiness. His work has been nominated for both an IMPAC Dublin Award and a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. He lives in Calgary, Canada.

About Jim Frangione

Jim Frangione is an actor and audiobook narrator who won AudioFile magazine’s 2011 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense for his reading of Philip Carter’s The Altar of Bones and Spencer Quinn’s To Fetch a Thief. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and has been was a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His theater credits include the off-Broadway production of Scrambled Eggs and the New York premiere of David Mamet’s plays The Old Neighborhood, Romance, and Oleanna, in which he also performed with the national tour. His film and television appearances include Joy, Transamerica, Spartan, Heist, Brotherhood, The Unit, and Law & Order.