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The Boy: A Novel Audiobook, by Lara Santoro Play Audiobook Sample

The Boy: A Novel Audiobook

The Boy: A Novel Audiobook, by Lara Santoro Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Angèle Masters, Angèle Masters Publisher: Little, Brown & Company Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: January 2013 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781619699755

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

17

Longest Chapter Length:

33:23 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:01 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

15:33 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Anna has always been a risk-taker and a free spirit, but now she is raising a young daughter on her own and she has to play it safe. Her twenty-something neighbor with the slow, easy smile is in no way part of Anna's plans. She resists temptation in every way she can, yet Anna is soon drawn into a reckless and obsessive affair.

Provocative, headlong, and utterly compelling, The Boy is the story of a woman on the edge, torn between love and compulsion, desire and duty. Lara Santoro writes in "hypnotic and swiftly paced" prose (Daniel Woodrell) about the hazards of passion and motherhood and about one woman's unthinkable rebellion.

"Gorgeous, fiercely intelligent, deeply honest, and incredibly entertaining." -- Anne Lamott

Download and start listening now!

"Saw this at work today - doesn't come out until the 15th but it looked so fun - so I read it on my lunch break! Very messed up chick!!"

— Annie (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “A swift and seductive novel. To experience such brutal beauty is why I read fiction.”

    — Alice Sebold, New York Times bestselling author of The Lovely Bones
  • “I read this novel in one sitting and was mesmerized, addicted, charmed, jealous. The Boy is gorgeous, fiercely intelligent, deeply honest, and incredibly entertaining.”

    — Anne Lamott, New York Times bestselling author
  • “Witty, compulsive, sensuous, and brutally honest about the price of motherhood.”

    — Emma Donoghue, New York Times bestselling author of Room
  • “A beautiful, brutally sensuous novel.”

    — Kate Christensen, New York Times bestselling author of The Great Man
  • “Lara Santoro’s The Boy unfolds with terse, impressionistic rapidity—like a spare, brutalist modern fairy tale…You can’t turn away.”

    — Elle
  • “It takes a special kind of writer to pursue the development of a character like Anna...Lara Santoro had to realize that her character was nearly as despicable as Humbert Humbert in Lolita, yet she forges ahead in this starkly brilliant book, letting the character be who she is without apology and without the usual redemption scenes...Ms. Santoro has crafted a book just as fascinating [as Junot Diaz’s This Is How You Lose Her], twice as stark, and simply unforgettable.”

    — New York Journal of Books
  • “Santoro’s writing is lyrical.”

    — RT Book Reviews
  • “Lara Santoro drills deep down, to the maelstrom of desire and despair that we cover up with the stories we tell ourselves. Unflinching and passionate, fierce and tender, The Boy is both a love story between parents and children, and a coming-of-age story for all women who are old enough to know better. It broke my heart.”

    — Allegra Huston, author of Love Child
  • “The Boy is beautifully written, beguiling in its fashion, hypnotic and swiftly paced. Lara Santoro tells a morally complicated and edgy story and doesn’t retreat, but stays true to her music. The word brave comes to mind, as does masterful.”

    — Daniel Woodrell, author of Winter’s Bone
  • “Emotionally intense.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Santoro’s fast paced style aptly conveys Anna’s frenetic downward spiral.”

    — Booklist
  • “The central conflict, between maternal love and adult desire, is genuine. Even if Anna is damaged, her feelings are heartfelt and her crisis resonates.”

    — Kirkus Reviews
  • Lara Santoro is an amazing new voice. Mercy is a fabulous novel.

    — Alice Sebold, author of The Almost Moon
  • Anguished...monstrously beautiful....A gorgeously written novel.

    — Cathleen Medwick, O Magazine
  • Hilarious, harrowing....A passionate book with intense characters.

    — Nick DiMartino, Shelf Awareness
  • Stunningly ambitious debut novel....Admirably understated, Santoro keeps the story at a quick clip....The writing is exacting and effective.

    — Washington City Paper
  • Sublime....Santoro evokes the continent's everyday horrors and uncommon moments of grace in decidedly unsentimental prose, and her depiction of international journalists' lifestyles is similarly powerful....The characters and their complicated relationships remain stirring until the end.

    — Publishers Weekly

The Boy Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 2.8421052631578947 out of 52.8421052631578947 out of 52.8421052631578947 out of 52.8421052631578947 out of 52.8421052631578947 out of 5 (2.84)
5 Stars: 3
4 Stars: 3
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 4
1 Stars: 4
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

    " Many times I found myself laughing outloud. The brutal honesty in this book is refreshing. "

    — Michelle, 2/19/2014
  • 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

    " We first step into Anna's world during her initial infatuation with a boy 20 years her junior. As the story unfolds we are allowed glimpses into her self-destructive personality and how it affects her relationships, especially with her 8 year old daughter Eva. Lara Santoro's writing is beautiful, succinct, and unrelenting. "The Boy" is the kind of book that continues to haunt you well past the final chapter. "

    — Bertha, 2/11/2014
  • 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

    " This book was so lame. I bought this book because I read it on Glo and they made it sound great but it wasnt. I didnt like how 'the boy'had complete control of the situation and she just went along with it like she had no choice in the matter.I couldnt read another sentence of her daughter wining or her being a complete pushover. "

    — cristina, 2/3/2014
  • 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 more about the dysfunctional life of this middle age woman and her daughter then "the boy". So I thought it was mistitled. Fast read as only 180 pages! "

    — Lesley, 1/30/2014
  • 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 feel like so much more could have been done with this book. I can't believe all the rave reviews. I was quite disappointed. "

    — Wendy, 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

    " I don't know what I was expecting but this wasn't it. Anna is such a selfish, unlikable character and never owns up to any of her faults. I would have liked to see more of her relationship with "the boy" who seemed to have such an impact on her. This one was just not for me. It was a quick read though. "

    — Erika, 1/18/2014
  • 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

    " This book left me with a bad feeling which, I suppose is something. The main character is not likable. She is focused on her own needs to the exclusion of everyone else's. Her relationship with her daughter was also disturbing but consistent with her character. I felt like the last quarter of the book was rather forced and contrived. Overall it was just okay, a bit disappointing. "

    — Donna, 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

    " I definitely wasn't impressed. This book was extremely slow moving. I must say it did get slightly faster at the end. This book makes and shows us whether you make good or bad choices we can never go back. Think of what's important to you most before you realize you reap what you sow. "

    — Michelle, 1/11/2014
  • 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

    " Horrible! A complete bore! "

    — Amy, 1/3/2014
  • 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

    " Well written, I was on a roller coaster of emotions, great read "

    — Christine, 12/27/2013
  • 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

    " Great quick compelling read. Made me appreciate my life. "

    — Kim, 12/11/2013
  • 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

    " Beautiful and heartbreaking. It is a quick read but you won't be able to stop thinking about it. "

    — Miriam, 10/9/2013
  • 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

    " Boring. Wished it had been more of a love story. "

    — Shannon, 9/23/2013
  • 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

    " Not at all what I expected. Very very thought provoking "

    — Diane, 9/22/2013
  • 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

    " Quick read. Great for traveling. The ending made the book. Ended as it should have. "

    — Jean, 9/14/2013
  • 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 liked this book. It was different. It was written a little weird but a very quick read. "

    — Lisa, 6/9/2013
  • 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

    " The end gave me the chilllz "

    — Valerieallmighty, 4/24/2013
  • 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

    " Why is this book titled The Boy? It had very little to do with "the boy". This should be titled, The Selfish Mother! I'm sorry, but this was not a good read for me. I truly wasted money on the book, time, and effort. "

    — Nancy, 4/20/2013
  • 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

    " A disappointment! Picked it from the Oprah book club list for Jan 2013. NO character development, barely a plot, the story seemed to zigzag in all different directions. Gave it 2 stars rather than 1 only because there were some well written passages. "

    — Bonnie, 4/11/2013

About Lara Santoro

Lara Santoro spent most of her career as a foreign news correspondent, based primarily in Rome and in Nairobi, working for Newsweek and the Christian Science Monitor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Smith College, a master’s degree in French literature from the Sorbonne, and a master’s in fine arts from New York University. She was born in Rome and currently lives in New Mexico.

About the Narrators

Angèle Masters is an actor and writer, born and raised in a small town in England. She has spent the past twenty years in the southern United States. While most of her background is in theater, she makes an occasional appearance in front of the camera and quite often behind the microphone recording audiobooks.

Angèle Masters is an actor and writer, born and raised in a small town in England. She has spent the past twenty years in the southern United States. While most of her background is in theater, she makes an occasional appearance in front of the camera and quite often behind the microphone recording audiobooks.