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I Thought My Father Was God (Abridged): And Other True Tales from NPR's National Story Project Audiobook

I Thought My Father Was God (Abridged): And Other True Tales from NPRs National Story Project Audiobook, by Paul Auster Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Paul Auster Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2004 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780060784423

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

131

Longest Chapter Length:

19:59 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

46 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

04:10 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

11

Other Audiobooks Written by Paul Auster: > View All...

Publisher Description

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)

Quotes

  • “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

I Thought My Father Was God Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.6176470588235294 out of 53.6176470588235294 out of 53.6176470588235294 out of 53.6176470588235294 out of 53.6176470588235294 out of 5 (3.62)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 8
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 2
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
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1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • 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

    " 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
  • 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

    " 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
  • 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

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 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

    " Thank God for that chicken story. "

    — Andy, 2/5/2014
  • 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 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
  • 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 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
  • 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

    " 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
  • 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

    " 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
  • 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

    " Some great anecdotes of everyday life. "

    — Priti, 1/16/2014
  • 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 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
  • 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

    " 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

About Paul Auster

Paul 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.