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Larry and the Meaning of Life Audiobook, by Janet Tashjian Play Audiobook Sample

Larry and the Meaning of Life Audiobook

Larry and the Meaning of Life Audiobook, by Janet Tashjian Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Matt Green Publisher: Listening Library Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Gospel According to Larry Series Release Date: September 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739372753

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

69

Longest Chapter Length:

05:55 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

11 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

03:55 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

8

Other Audiobooks Written by Janet Tashjian: > View All...

Publisher Description

Josh Swensen (otherwise known as Larry) can’t seem to get off the couch. His usual overactive imagination and save-the-world mindset have all but vanished, and his best friend Beth is seriously worried.When Beth coaxes Josh into taking a walk at Walden Pond, Josh meets Gus Muldarian, a spiritual guru who convinces him to join his study group as a way to find deeper meaning in life. Josh thinks Gus is a joke. Still, feeling desperate and seeing no way out of his rut, he agrees to try it. What begins as a harmless Thoreau-esque search for meaning soon turns into Josh’s most chaotic and profound adventure yet. After the success of The Gospel According to Larry and Vote for Larry, Janet Tashjian returns with yet another tour de force—an audiobook that explores important topics and will keep teens hooked right until the unexpected end.

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"All I can say is ingenious. I devoured this book and finished it in about a 4 hours. I love the characters from the very begining I thought Gus was full of it* (whatever it may be*). I love the footnotes and the characters were really something. "

— Goldie (4 out of 5 stars)

Larry and the Meaning of Life Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 (3.00)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 3
3 Stars: 11
2 Stars: 11
1 Stars: 1
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: 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

    " Not my favorite of the series. Happy to see Peter and Josh's relationship what it is at the end. "

    — Jennifer, 2/12/2014
  • 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

    " Larry jumped the shark with this one. "

    — Sara, 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

    " This was okay, but I would recommend her first two "Larry" books. I like the concept of "what is reality," but there were a few too many unbelievable twists in this book. I have enjoyed the characters through the other two books, so I felt a little let down with this book. Besides, I'm ready for Larry and Beth to get together already. "

    — Kelly, 1/27/2014
  • 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

    " Everything was wrong. If I could rate it zero stars I would. The characters were wrong, the story was wrong, the voice was wrong, the twist was terrible, this is a book that will not appeal to anybody. "

    — Jacob, 1/23/2014
  • 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

    " All I can say is ingenious. I devoured this book and finished it in about a 4 hours. I love the characters from the very begining I thought Gus was full of it* (whatever it may be*). I love the footnotes and the characters were really something. "

    — Goldie, 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

    " The twists are truly the most stunning ever! Absolutely loved it and would have never seen them coming. Still hilarious to read too! "

    — Crystal, 1/19/2014
  • 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

    " Not as charming as the first. Thoreau's transcendentalism was muddied by an implausible plot. "

    — Robin, 1/19/2014
  • 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

    " Not nearly as good as the first two. It seemed to drag on in many parts, but my biggest complaint: "deus ex machina," anyone? "

    — Ben, 12/19/2013
  • 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

    " I probably would have enjoyed this a little more if I had read the first two books. "

    — Anthony, 12/4/2013
  • 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

    " This book has some interesting twists. I did like it - but I liked The Gospel According to Larry better. "

    — Jenny, 11/23/2013
  • 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

    " Plowed through books 2 & 3 in the Larry trilogy and though I enjoyed this one, it is the weakest in the cycle. The denouement felt false and I was unable to suspend my disbelief enough to enjoyed the end of the book. "

    — Angelhorn, 10/4/2013
  • 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

    " I want to kill Beth! LOL (I hope you catch the sarcasm there), I'm a huge fan of Larry and this was another great edition to his story. "

    — Severa, 5/21/2013
  • 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

    " There just wasn't as much at stake for Larry in this book. I lost interest in the first half of the book, but struggled through to the end and then was really dissappointed by the ending. I won't give it away, but I was like "Really? That's it? How lame." "

    — Emily, 3/31/2013
  • 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

    " i guess it's part of a series = not all that enthused... but i did finish "

    — Kelly, 12/14/2012
  • 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

    " An amazing book with an elaborate plot. "

    — Nava, 10/17/2012
  • 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

    " Wow, certainly a surprise ending. Although, looking back, I can see how it all worked out, and I would expect nothing less from Janet Tashjian or the Larry books! "

    — Kiri, 5/26/2012
  • 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

    " Still mulling this one over. The whole thing was over the top, and while the footnote asides were amusing, there were so many of them. The ending wasn't what I thought it would be either. Loved the first book in the series, not so crazy about this one. "

    — Jenny, 2/2/2012
  • 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 learned a new way to enjoy life. To live it to the fullest, as if each day was your last. "

    — Michael.lisso, 12/11/2011
  • 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

    " Larry jumped the shark with this one. "

    — Sara, 12/27/2010
  • 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

    " not as good as the first one, which is not as good as the second one. "

    — Emily, 6/29/2010
  • 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

    " The twists are truly the most stunning ever! Absolutely loved it and would have never seen them coming. Still hilarious to read too! "

    — Crystal, 6/17/2010
  • 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

    " This was a very weird book where you don't understand what's happening any better than Josh the main character. Any yet it plays out to a logical and satifying conclusion. Another weird thing about it: the love in this story is hidden until the very end. "

    — Tim, 1/13/2010
  • 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

    " seems like too long of a time since the last one, and you need to remember the characters. Pretty good story though, altho Josh still needs to get a bit of a grip on his problem with materialism. Very strange ending. "

    — Nancy, 12/19/2009
  • 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

    " Not as charming as the first. Thoreau's transcendentalism was muddied by an implausible plot. "

    — Robin, 11/23/2009
  • 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 sad day for Larry books. <br/> <br/>I was disappointed that it wasn't as awesome as the previous two. "

    — Jamie, 10/3/2009
  • 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

    " A disappointing finish to the Larry series. "

    — Marci, 8/12/2009
  • 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 book is the third one in the <em>Larry</em> series. I thought it was good, but wish that Tashjian had stopped at number 2. This one feels like it was forced. Still an enjoyable quick read, but.... <br/> <br/>Jake liked it though, so what do I know? "

    — GoddardLibrary, 7/8/2009
  • 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

    " Young Adult, I listened to it, liked early books better, Vote for Larry, Gospel according to Larry. A bit self-indulgent....but isn't Josh? "

    — Liz, 6/21/2009
  • 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 guess it's part of a series = not all that enthused... but i did finish "

    — Kelly, 4/23/2009
  • 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

    " yes, intriguing like the predecessor books. I'm glad to be fueled by the main character Josh's tirelessness. "

    — Anton, 3/26/2009
  • 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 &quot;Larry&quot; wasn't as compelling as the previous two and I didn't find myself really thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it. "

    — Tracy, 2/24/2009

About Janet Tashjian

Janet Tashjian is the author of several novels, including Fault Line, as well as The Gospel According to Larry, which was named a Best Book for Young Adults, a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, a New York Public Library Best Book for the Teen Age, and a Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book. She lives outside of Boston with her family.