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The Antagonist Audiobook
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(3.02) - 589 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A piercing epistolary novel, The Antagonist explores, with wit and compassion, how the impressions of others shape, pervert, and flummox both our perceptions of ourselves and our very nature. Gordon Rankin Jr., aka “Rank,” thinks of himself as “King Midas in reverse”—and indeed misfortune seems to follow him at every turn. Against his will and his nature, he has long been considered—given his enormous size and strength—a goon and enforcer by his classmates, by his hockey coaches, and, not least, by his “tiny, angry” father. He gamely lives up to their expectations, until a vicious twist of fate forces him to flee underground. Now pushing forty, he discovers that an old, trusted friend from his college days has published a novel that borrows freely from the traumatic events of Rank’s own life. Outraged by this betrayal and feeling cruelly misrepresented, he bashes out his own version of his story in a barrage of e-mails to the novelist that range from funny to furious to heartbreaking. With The Antagonist, Lynn Coady demonstrates all of the gifts that have made her one of Canada’s most respected young writers. Here she gives us an astonishing story of sons and fathers and mothers, of the rewards and betrayals of male friendship, and a large-spirited, hilarious, and exhilarating portrait of a man tearing his life apart in order to put himself back together.
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"I read this book more because of who wrote it rather than an interest in the plot. I wasn't all that drawn to the idea, but once I started, Rank pulled me in quickly. He's such a surprising character and even though he and I are so, so different, as the book goes by, I think a lot of people would start to see aspects of themselves in him - his desire for people to interpret him properly, not to peg him down as a certain stereotype, etc. It's a pretty universal struggle from adolescence into adulthood. He wants to be recognized for what he is, and yet he thinks very little of himself at times. He's worried that only his mistakes will define him in others' eyes, but he won't look at himself in a different light, either. I think that's a very natural place to go when mistakes are made, accidents happen, that define others' lives. Rank only sees how he has hurt those around him, is desperate for everyone to see them as they were, accidents, but takes full responsibility as if they were intentional. His struggles with religion, similarly, show his need for forgiveness and self deprecation. At the same time, he is a fiercely proud character. I ended up very fond of Rank by the end.Both books I read by Coady astounded me with her casually portrayed insight - she doesn't shove it down your throat and the writing itself is accessible without being lazy, but she creates HUMAN characters that show an amazing eye on her part. The books have dramatic plots, but they feel as though they naturally occurred because of the people involved rather than were plotted. I thought this was a wonderful character study that cemented Coady as a favourite of mine."
— Chelsey-Marie (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Only a writer as wonderfully gifted as Lynn Coady could elicit such extraordinary sympathy for a man as full of self-destructive rage as Rank, her main character. You won’t soon forget either him or this haunting novel.”
— Richard Russo -
“Coady’s fluency in the language of the college boy [is] impressive, [as is] her feel for the camaraderie that is inseperable from rivalry and masculine aggression.”
— New Yorker -
“An extraordinarily clever and sympathetic exploration of the cross-currents of male friendship, the intense relationships we make and abandon in school.”
— Washington Post -
“A dramatic and funny confessional in reverse.”
— Marie Claire -
“The pathos and humor brought to a challenging life story will appeal to many readers.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“This very human drama, laced with humor and insight, is strongly recommended.”
— Library Journal -
“It’s Coady’s ability to realistically portray Rank’s teens and university years and empathically conduct his search for self that makes The Antagonist more than just entertainment.”
— Booklist -
“Smartly tuned and as unsettling as it intends to be.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A 2011 Scotiabank Giller Prize Finalist
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A 2013 Washington Post Notable Book
The Antagonist Listener Reviews
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" Quite enjoyed this book about a person who punished himself so much for things he couldn't control in his earlier life that he prevented himself from really growing up. "
— Tim, 2/13/2014 -
" This book is amazing. Coady relates the story of Gordon Rankin in a series of unanswered emails. They slowly unravel the mystery of Rank's history, and the myth he's been telling himself about who he is. "
— Samantha, 2/12/2014 -
" This book unfolds in an interesting way. The author is Canadian, and now resides in Edmonton. The story was interesting, and the perspective it was told from added to the intrigue. It was a bit tedious (the voice tells his story, but is simultaneously telling his version of the same story as told by someone else (the voices in the book are not as confusing as my sentence might make it appear) in parts, but I enjoyed the journey. "
— Lori, 2/12/2014 -
" A book about angry young men, the east coast, religion, guilt, and hockey. Does it sound familiar? But it's not, oh boy, is it not. Lynn Coady's narrative is set up in a series of emails from our main character, in his middle-age, to one of his university friends whom he hasn't seen in years. It's best if you read this story without knowing much more, but do expect to be taken in by Coady's eye for detail (I learned many, many things about how university-aged boys spend their time) and her ability to write her character's emotions into her work - anytime I put this book down, I also had to release the tension from my shoulders, pulled along as I was in the repressed anger that is the undercurrent to this novel. "
— Lulu, 2/9/2014 -
" This book is an engaging read with a unique and clever structure. A slowly-emerging commentary on how fiction is created adds an extra layer to the story. The narrator is both funny and human, a man who is frequently changing his mind, lying or avoiding the truth, backtracking, and discovering things on the page. This book is a quick read that's both moving and thought-provoking. "
— Becky, 2/7/2014 -
" My first Kindle for iPad read! I loved the fast and furious pacing off the start, I was sucked right in for the ride. A nice easy read. Foreshadowing was heaily used but we werent left lingering too long to wither. An excellent example of a character sketch. "
— Gina, 2/1/2014 -
" I LOVED this book! Ann Patchett scored a home-run with her choice for this month's book. The story was compelling, the language/voice sound, the writing simply amazing. It is the type of book that you want to reread because you KNOW you've missed so much the first time. Other reviews will tell you the story. I loved it and heartily recommend it! "
— Cathy, 1/18/2014 -
" another one i didn't finish. i liked the concept of emails but just didn't hold my interest. "
— Jan, 1/6/2014 -
" It was intriguing but sad as he "Rank" just kept getting deeper and deeper into trouble. "
— Janet, 1/4/2014 -
" interesting innovative prose but I wasn't really interested in the story nor the main character. "
— Brenda, 12/27/2013 -
" Not really what I was expecting but still a good novel. "
— Melissa, 12/5/2013 -
" Well written and engaging, thoughtful look at male violence and its consequences. Also takes on catholicism, evangelism and their less happy sides. "
— Bharat, 10/31/2013 -
" Fresh, original, reads like a psychological thriller, highly engaging from the first page, compelling character, a linguistic tour de force - enjoyed it very much. "
— Luise, 9/7/2013 -
" I heard the author speak and she was fabulous, but the book start and restart just did me in. "
— Cynthia, 8/4/2013 -
" Was an interesting story telling medium using the email idea and going back and forth in time, I enjoyed this one "
— Lesley, 7/20/2013 -
" An amazing novel - brilliant, well-written, sad and funny. Loved it. "
— Jacquelyn, 4/27/2013 -
" I enjoyed reading a Canadian book again, and found the subject matter interesting. (protagonist is a hockey 'goon' who needs to come to terms with his former violence). Overall, however, I didn't feel pulled into the book and didn't connect with any of the characters. An OK read. "
— Julie, 4/13/2013 -
" I loved this book. It's a reminder of how good Canlit can be! Must check out some others by Coady. "
— Lynn, 2/16/2013
About Lynn Coady
Lynn Coady is a Canadian novelist, journalist, and television writer, originally from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and now living in Toronto. She has published six books of fiction, including the collection of short stories Hellgoing, which won the 2013 Scotiabank Giller Prize, and the novel, The Antagonist, short-listed for the 2011 Giller Prize. Since 2014 she has worked on several television series, including Orphan Black, Sensitive Skin, Michael: Every Day, Mary Kills People, and The Disappearance.
About MacLeod Andrews
MacLeod Andrews is a multiple Audie, Earphones, and SOVAS award-winning and Grammy-nominated narrator with hundreds of credits to his name. Perhaps best known for a cinematic approach with full characterizations and intimate deliveries in series such as The Reckoners, Sandman Slim, and Warriors, he’s also been noted for his straight reads ranging from memoirs to modern classics. When not doing books you can hear him in video games, cartoons, commercials, podcasts, and reading you the news on Apple News +. Or check out one of his films.