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I Know This Much Is True (Abridged) Audiobook
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(4.50) - 79 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
#1 New York Times Bestseller and Oprah Book Club selection
""Thoughtful . . . heart-wrenching . . . . An exercise in soul-baring storytelling—with the soul belonging to 20th-century America itself. It's hard to read and to stop reading, and impossible to forget."" — USA Today
Dominick Birdsey, a forty-year-old housepainter living in Three Rivers, Connecticut, finds his subdued life greatly disturbed when his identical twin brother Thomas, a paranoid schizophrenic, commits a shocking act of self-mutilation. Dominick is forced to care for his brother as well as confront dark secrets and pain he has buried deep within himself—a journey of the soul that takes him beyond his blue-collar New England town to Sicily’s Mount Etna, the birthplace of his grandfather and namesake. Coming to terms with his life and lineage, Dominick struggles to find forgiveness and finally rebuild himself beyond the haunted shadow of his troubled twin.
I Know This Much Is True is a masterfully told story of alienation and connection, power and abuse, devastation and renewal—an unforgettable masterpiece.
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"Even though this book includes very little action, mostly talking and thinking and remembering the past, it kept me interested from beginning to end. The story of twin brothers, one of whom is a schizophrenic and the other one dedicated to protecting him. It switches between the present and the past and was fascinating enough that I read huge chunks at a time. Even when I was done, I kept thinking about the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone."
— Margaret (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“[It] never grapples with anything less than life’s biggest questions.
— New York Times Book Review -
“Heart-wrenching…an exercise in soul-baring storytelling—with the soul belonging to twentieth-century America itself. It’s heard to read and to stop reading, and impossible to forget.”
— USA Today -
“Poignant…astonishing…[a] very good book.
— Washington Post Book World -
“[A] tour de force that sweeps the reader along in its swift emotional current…A work of astonishing craftsmanship.”
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch -
“Thanks to well-sustained dramatic tension, funky gallows humor and some shocking surprises, this sinuous story of one family’s dark secrets and recurring patterns of behavior largely succeeds in its ambitious reach.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred view)
Awards
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A 1998 Oprah’s Book Club Selection
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Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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A 1998 New York Times Notable Book for Fiction
I Know This Much Is True Listener Reviews
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" This book was so good it took no time to get through the 900 plus pages. It had so many true to life moments with great quotes, that I had to go back and dog ear the pages. Every person I have lent this to loves it! "
— Emily, 2/20/2014 -
" This book is 900 pages but it is worth the read...the characters are gripping... "
— Alana, 2/12/2014 -
" Felt like Lamb wrote this book for me. Circumstances we're different however I related in a deeply personal way. A great journey about love and family. "
— Candace, 2/11/2014 -
" Moving- and so sad in many ways. The writer did a good job making the characters real- like you could picture them and believe they exist somewhere in the world. "
— Marion, 2/5/2014 -
" I loved this book! The characters are so rich and so well developed. "
— Cheryl, 1/31/2014 -
" The actual worst book I have ever read. "
— Annie, 1/25/2014 -
" One of my all time favorite books. This can seem intimidating by its size, but the content within are worth it. "
— Cortney, 1/24/2014 -
" I read this book 15 years ago and it still sticks in my mind as one of the greatest books i have ever read. What a gem. "
— Sophie, 1/12/2014 -
" Could see how a twin tries to distance himself from the trials and tribulations of his brother whilst trying to remain loyal to the special bond that they share. "
— Mabel, 1/12/2014 -
" One of my all time favorites! "
— Donna, 12/30/2013 -
" This is my favorite book. Absolutely amazing. "
— Samantha, 12/18/2013 -
" Wally Lamb is one of the great writers. Just delve into these books and get lost in the characters. There is a profundity to the writing that makes you feel as if you are becoming part of the great American literary story just by reading. "
— Homestic, 12/12/2013 -
" It took a bit of work to get through, but this is a beautiful exploration of what it means to be a brother. "
— Cheryl, 12/4/2013 -
" I read this book a long time ago.... think I will read it again! "
— Jacquie, 11/29/2013 -
" Every time I read this book I'm struck by the depth and realism of the characters. I never get tired of reading it and it always seems fresh and relevant. "
— Barb, 11/16/2013 -
" 11/12/06 - This book is amazing. Very long but very worth the time. I actually ended up doing it on audio, but either way, I believe it's excellent. The description doesn't do it justice. Beautifully written and one that will stick with me for a long, long time. "
— Coleen, 10/23/2013 -
" Brilliant - I love Wally Lamb "
— Liz, 8/4/2013 -
" a little confusing for a while but it came together nicely. This book would be a great movie. "
— Jane, 7/9/2013 -
" Absolutely loved this book. Was hesitant to read it at first because it dealt with the Columbine shootings, but it was a very thought provoking well written book. I highly recommend it. "
— Mary, 2/13/2013 -
" This book kept me hooked from start to finish, which is no small task for a 900-page novel. Amazing piece. "
— Whitney, 11/30/2012 -
" I don't get it. This book was depressing, not particularly well-written and had a meandering story that sounded like someone's disgruntled ramblings. Then, all of a sudden in the last two of 900 pages, something decent happened. By that point I was already in therapy.. "
— Stephanie, 10/14/2012 -
" Very powerful book. Not a breezy read. Although I loved every page of it, I still felt like I was having to work my way through it. "
— Margaret, 9/20/2012 -
" very well-written and entertaining "
— Blanca, 9/13/2012 -
" I really loved this book. There is not a darn bit of happiness or good things that happen to these characters until the last 10 pages, but for some reason, I loved it. The only part I wasn't fond of was the Grandfather's story. It dragged on a bit for me but it was essential to the story. "
— Karlye, 5/10/2012 -
" I want to read it again!!! "
— Xinyi, 4/8/2012 -
" Perhaps the best book I've ever read. It is one of the only books I've read more than once. Character development is superb. "
— Lynne, 2/2/2012 -
" A long book, but it flew by. Wally Lamb's writing is superb & his characters are unforgettable. This one left me weeping, but hopeful. "
— Carrie, 12/27/2011 -
" This was an awesome book. Definitely not a lift your mood read, but I love all of Vally Lamb's books and this was as good as the rest. "
— India, 9/8/2011 -
" There is something for everyone in this book. It has stayed with me since I read it!<br/> "
— Cindy, 5/23/2011 -
" Rereading this and enjoying it just as much this time. "
— Asima, 5/23/2011 -
" Fascinating read. Best book I have read in years "
— Sandy, 5/22/2011 -
" A favorite! I love Wally Lamb. "
— Kara, 5/22/2011 -
" I absolutely loved this book. I was awed by how real it was and how eventhough the main character was not eadily likable I couldnt help placing myslef within his shoes and rooting for him every step of the way. Even when he was a complete jerk. "
— Da.captain85, 5/21/2011 -
" An emotional roller coaster. Wally Lamb takes us on another incredible journey into the heart and soul of three generations of dysfunction. Lamb weaves an intricate plot surrounding Dominick Birdsey and his paranoid schizophrenic identical twin Thomas. A piece of work! <br/> "
— Leah, 5/20/2011 -
" One of my very favorite books. <br/> "
— Carol, 5/12/2011 -
" This book made me understand the guilt felt by siblings. "
— Janet, 5/12/2011 -
" Wally Lamb is truly a gifted writer in that this 900 paged story of identical twins in which one has schizophrenia flies by. I had trouble with the heavy subject matter (e.g. suicide, violence against children, general emotional darkness), but am glad I finished it. "
— Emily, 5/11/2011 -
" Tied with his other Novel as BEST EVER I SWEAR. Read it every three years (on the other years I read HOUR). "
— Melissa, 5/8/2011
About Wally Lamb
Wally Lamb is the author of the New York Times and national bestseller The Hour I First Believed, as well as the novels She’s Come Undone and I Know This Much Is True, both #1 New York Times bestsellers and Oprah’s Book Club selections. He lives in Connecticut with his family.
About Ken Howard
Ken Howard, an American actor, is best known for his roles as Thomas Jefferson in 1776 and as basketball coach Ken Reeves in the television show The White Shadow. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild from 2009–2012.