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Reading My Father: A Memoir Audiobook, by Alexandra Styron Play Audiobook Sample

Reading My Father: A Memoir Audiobook

Reading My Father: A Memoir Audiobook, by Alexandra Styron Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Alexandra Styron Publisher: Highbridge Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781611745009

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

16

Longest Chapter Length:

52:07 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

16:23 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

39:12 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Alexandra Styron: > View All...

Publisher Description

Alexandra Styron’s parents—the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Sophie’s Choice and his political activist wife, Rose—were, for half a century, leading players on the world’s cultural stage. Alexandra was raised under both the halo of her father’s brilliance and the long shadow of his troubled mind. From Styron’s youth and precocious literary debut to the triumphs of his best-known books and on through his spiral into depression, Reading My Father portrays the epic sweep of an American artist’s life. It is also a tale of filial love, beautifully written with humor, compassion, and grace.

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"eBook. To start with Styron on the strength of 'Sophie's Choice' alone is one of my top five favorite authors. I knew he was an asshole, but until reading this book didn't know how big an asshole he was. Mental illness, in his case depression, is a terrible thing. But in the life B.S. it does not excuse his horrific behavior. Also, unlike most "unhappy child of famous (fill in blank) memoirs" Alexandra is a pretty damn good writer who didn't have a "as told to" ghostwriter. Good book.... bad man."

— David (4 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • Selected for the May 2011 Indie Next List
  • A 2011 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Biography

Reading My Father Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 5 (4.04)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 1
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: 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 confess, I didn't recognize a lot of the names of the glamorous literati that Bill Styron mingled with. "

    — Erin, 2/12/2014
  • 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

    " beautifully written, fearless and riveting "

    — Martha, 2/9/2014
  • 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

    " Eloquently written, haunting memoir by Alexandra Styron about her brilliant, troubled writer father. "

    — Jake, 1/31/2014
  • 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

    " She is indeed her father's daughter...well-written. Recommended. I was unaware of Styron's friendship w/ Jones (From Here to Eternity). "

    — Joanna, 1/28/2014
  • 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

    " Growing up, Alexandra, the baby of the family, is puzzled and fascinated by her father. William Styron is a successful writer, but also an alcoholic that suffers from bouts of psychosis and depression. Lots of family dynamics sprinkled with other famous people on Cape Cod and in Connecticut. "

    — Kathleen, 1/20/2014
  • 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

    " I found this book difficult to read "

    — Natalie, 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

    " A vivid, poignant, and totally absorbing memoir. "

    — Edward, 1/14/2014
  • 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

    " Interesting memoir of the youngest daughter of William Styron. She expores what it was like growing up and as an adult with her famous author-father who suffered from mental illness. "

    — Darleen, 1/9/2014
  • 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

    " Alexandra Styron's memoir of growing up with William Styron as her father. "

    — Marianne, 1/4/2014
  • 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 really enjoyed her writing & her story. I need to add Styrone's books to my to-be-read list. Hopefully, they are as good as the hype. "

    — Hybridmobile, 12/31/2013
  • 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 enjoyed this book, but I think I enjoy memoirs more than most. "

    — Al, 12/28/2013
  • 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

    " Well, William Styron was a great American author but was not father of the year, by any stretch of the imagination. How can great people be so terrible to their children, leaving them adrift in the world? Abusive and controlling genius. What else is new? "

    — Elle, 12/23/2013
  • 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

    " Loved it. I read it in three sittings, and always looked forward to getting back to the book. "

    — Saundra, 12/7/2013
  • 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

    " Perfectly written memoir for anybody interested in the great mid-century writers in general or William Styron in particular. He was the author of Sophie's Choice, Confessions of Nat Turner, and Lie Down in Darkness. "

    — Jean, 5/2/2013
  • 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. Beautifully written, sad, funny, insightful. Everything a memoir should be. As well, it's a serious examination of what it means to be a writer, as well as what it means to be a writer with a mental illness. Brilliant. "

    — Sarah, 8/16/2012
  • 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

    " Very personal and a powerful tale told by the youngest daughter of William Styron, who struggled with mental illness. I also loved learning more about the life Styron led, and the people he associated with through his very cultured life. I highly recommend the book! "

    — Colleen, 8/9/2012
  • 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

    " brutally and beautifully written memoir "

    — Connie, 11/16/2011
  • 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

    " I loved this book. Her writing was beautiful and I felt she was candid yet kind. "

    — Pat, 11/6/2011
  • 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

    " Excellent writing; heredity or environment? Hard to tell, the author has both. "

    — Frank, 6/26/2011
  • 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

    " I loved this book. Her writing was beautiful and I felt she was candid yet kind. "

    — Pat, 5/29/2011
  • 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

    " Well, William Styron was a great American author but was not father of the year, by any stretch of the imagination. How can great people be so terrible to their children, leaving them adrift in the world? Abusive and controlling genius. What else is new? "

    — Elle, 5/27/2011
  • 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

    " Wonderful book. What a difficult father to have and yet ... Al is a great writer. Highly recommended "

    — Allison, 5/26/2011
  • 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

    " A vivid, poignant, and totally absorbing memoir. "

    — Ed, 5/19/2011
  • 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

    " Elegantly written; painstakingly researched, Ms. Styron name-drops just enough to make this a spellbinding read, but not too much to be annoying. "

    — Keith, 5/16/2011
  • 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

    " If you are a Styron fan, you will certainly appreciate this biography from his daughter. Lie Down In Darkness is one of the most stirring pieces of literature I have ever read, so it was fascinating to read about the time surrounding that. This is a beautiful portrait of a father by his daughter. "

    — Nicole, 5/11/2011
  • 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

    " Loved reading this thoughtful and deft peek at a fascinatingly complicated life. The descriptions of what the Vineyard meant to her family are especially poignant for Nantucketers--hope we can get her to come visit us here on the Other Island! "

    — Wendyhudson, 5/7/2011
  • 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

    " An interesting account of what it was like for the author, living with a brooding and half-mad genius. Beautifully-written, if not occasionally self-indulgent and redundant. "

    — Jess, 5/3/2011
  • 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

    " I confess, I didn't recognize a lot of the names of the glamorous literati that Bill Styron mingled with. "

    — Erin, 4/28/2011

About Alexandra Styron

Alexandra Styron is the author of the bestselling memoir Reading My Father and All the Finest Girls, a novel. Her work has appeared in several anthologies as well as in the New Yorker and Vanity Fair, among other publications. A graduate of the MFA program at Columbia University, Styron is a professor of creative writing in the MFA program at Hunter College. She lives with her husband and two children in Brooklyn.