When Paul Auster was asked to join NPR's Weekend All Things Considered program to tell stories, he turned the proposition on its head: he would let the stories come to him. He invited listeners to submit brief, true-life anecdotes about events that touched their lives.
And so the National Story Project was born. just over a year old, it's one of NPR's most popular features. The response has been so overwhelming, with more than 4,000 stories submitted so far, that Auster decided to cull the top works andmake them available in a book -- and now this audio tape. His selections -- hilarious blunders, wrenching coincidences, brushes with death, miraculous encounters, improbable ironies -- come from people of all ages and walks of life.
This one-of-a-kind collection is a testament to the power of storytelling that offers a glimpse into the American soul. By turns poignant, nostalgic, funny and strange, it is an audiobook to be treasured and shared for years to come.
Download and start listening now!
"Compelling characters, beautifully written. I like Donna Seaman's review from the book jacket: "Every element is saturated with implication as each wounded, questing character's story illuminates our tragic flaws and profound need for connection, coherence, and beauty." "
— Mary (4 out of 5 stars)
“Finally, a bathroom book worthy of Pulitzer consideration: the one-to-three-page stories gathered in this astonishing, addictive collection are absolute gems.”
— Publishers Weekly“Auster has done a storyteller’s job himself of grouping these pieces effectively. Highly recommended.”
— Library Journal“It is difficult to think of another book published this year, and probably any book to be published next year, that is so simple and so obvious, so excellent in intention and so elegant in its execution, and which displays such wisdom and such knowledge of human life in all its varieties. It is also difficult to think of a book that is so stark a reminder that human experience can be horrid and utterly unbelievable, and which therefore answers so precisely to our current needs and circumstances.”
— Gaurdian“A powerful book, one in which strangers share with you their darkest secrets, their happiest memories, their fears, their regrets. To read these essays is to look into hearts, to see life from other viewpoints, to live vicariously.”
— Boston Globe“Unforgettable testimonials of human resilience. Moving and amusing dispatches from across America.”
— US Weekly“Human foibles and frailties, laughter and tears...We are all hearing—and telling—stories all the time, especially now, in these days when life itself seems so fragile and precious. But Paul Auster’s wonderful efforts, choosing these fine stories, have given us a timely and invaluable reminder of what it means to listen—to really listen—to America talking.”
— Times-Picayune" This was a little repetative in that a lot of the stories featured amazing coincidences. However, I was interested int he NPR StOry Project so am glad I read it. easy to pick up and put down as none of the stories are longer than 4 pagtes and some are less than one. There are a few that have stuck with me and I wonder what happed tot eh writers. "
— Cathy, 2/20/2014" A collection of stories by the everyman. Yes, truth, sometimes is stranger than fiction with real life experiences being more magical than Doug Henning. But not everyman is ruled by the Grammar Gods. So yes - some wonderful stories here but keep in mind they are not professional writers. "
— Cara, 2/18/2014" As the title suggests, this is a collection of true stories collated by the author and the hosts of a National Public Radio programme after they had requested listeners to send in any to be read out on air. Here Auster presents the most memorable, from people of all ages and all walks of life, from farce to tragedy, and including tales of remarkable coincidences and great philanthropy. "
— Steve, 2/15/2014" Thank God for that chicken story. "
— Andy, 2/5/2014" I really enjoyed that these were all true and that it ran a broad spectrum from funny to bizarre to thought-provoking. I found that reading so many short stories all at once was a little difficult as the mind would have to adjust to each new tone and writer and took some time to go through. But, overall there were some stories that really touched me and were worth reading the entire book for those alone. "
— Gina, 1/26/2014" This was a great book. I loved reading all the different stories, each unique in their own way. All of the stories were short but enjoyable. What a great project! "
— Carolyn, 1/24/2014" One of my favourite books ever. Heartwarming, true or not true stories, taken from life. Better than all "chicken-soups..." combined! "
— Eva, 1/20/2014" LOVED it. I listened to it after first moving to southern Utah while driving to/from the Las Vegas airport and it made me want to just keep going until I was finished. Reinforces that old saying "truth is stranger than fiction." "
— Elizabeth, 1/18/2014" Some great anecdotes of everyday life. "
— Priti, 1/16/2014" I love short stories, and these are all supposed to be true. Some are extremely short. Some are a little crude. Most are just unbelievably fun or touching. "
— Hilary, 1/2/2014" This is a good book to take to the doctor's office and read while you're waiting. Lots of very short bits from NPR's National Story Project. Pleasant light read, but didn't change my life. "
— Summer, 12/27/2013" There are some entertaining stories there. "
— Raphael, 12/20/2013" A interesting dip-in read. The very nature of the book meant thatI enjoyed some of the writings but not others. What I enjoyed most was experiencing the different ways in which people experience and describe everyday occurances. "
— Hayley, 11/16/2013" I believe absolutely everyone has at least one interesting story to tell, and this book proves it. "
— L., 6/22/2013" great stories of a piece of life "
— Bobbi, 4/13/2013" I loved this book. A great collection a real life stories. some sad, some funny, some just plain amazing. Broken into small stories, it's a great "by the bedside" book. "
— Tracyj, 2/9/2013" Good anthology. All the stories are short and true. "
— Rachel, 12/31/2012" A decent read, easy and fast. Good for a bus ride, since you could read one story at a time. "
— Nate, 12/2/2012" I love the true-life stories enclosed. "
— Steve, 11/30/2012" As with any collection, some of the stories were good others not so much. I read this based on Auster, because I generally like his work and that the book was an NPR National Story Project. "
— Judy, 11/10/2012" Very cool compilation of true short stories sent in from listners of a radio show. The stories were supposed to "defy our expectations about the world, reveal the mysterious and unknowable forces at work in our lives, family histories, minds and bodies, and souls ..." "
— Jackie, 10/12/2012" I will never forget some of these short stories--all well written an very powerful. I'll probably read it again in 10 years. I've read it twice now. "
— Marah, 9/30/2012" The NPR Story Project is brilliant. And look at the editor of this collection! "
— Linda, 5/8/2012" Bought this because of Auster, and was extremely surprised at the quality of both the stories and the writing. A pleasure to dip into. "
— Chris, 3/6/2012" sections on family and lost treasures brought me to tears a time or two "
— Brian, 2/14/2012" Great editing. This is the best WC ever published. "
— Sunny, 2/2/2012" The very first story, which is about two sentences long, is a joy. Only a handful of the stories really moved me much, and I think that leaving them largely unedited was a mistake. "
— Kate, 1/22/2012" Beautiful book full of non-fiction short stories written by everyday people. Synchronicity, happen-stance, and seemingly magical events form a theme from cover to cover. "
— Green, 5/17/2011" I still feel the story of Miles Heller was cut short. I would have liked it more if it had taken me a little bit further. Nevertheless, another fascinating Auster novel. "
— Gerben, 4/14/2011" My intellectual friend says that Paul Auster is one of the only great writers of our day. Hmmmm...he won't even read Harry Potter, that snob!<br/> "
— Sally, 4/12/2011" well written but the ending was flat "
— Lori, 4/9/2011" Wonderful characters and a setting I could relate to. This is more about people than plot but it is an interesting and compelling family and friends drama. "
— Susan, 4/6/2011" Man, you think you got problems! "
— Pat, 4/2/2011" Would not have finished this book except it was for my book club. I didn't warm to any of the characters or the yukky sex scenes that did nothing to move the story forward. I'm really not sure what the author was trying to say, but whatever it was I missed it. "
— Cheryl, 3/20/2011Paul Auster (1947–2024) wrote bestselling novels in The New York Trilogy and many other critically acclaimed novels. He has been awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for Literature, the Prix Médicis Étranger, the Independent Spirit Award, and the Premio Napoli. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. His work has been translated into more than forty languages.