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The Hoax Audiobook
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(3.01) - 137 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Novelist Clifford Irving’s “autobiography” of Howard Hughes was the literary hoax of our time. This no-holds-barred confession by the author was first published in Great Britain in 1977, where it became a bestseller. But no American hardcover house would touch it until now. Why? The answer is implicit in this ultimate caper story of daring, treachery, and corruption.
As fast-paced and exciting as any spy novel, The Hoax involves the reader at every devilish turn. Irving describes how the hoax developed, like a Chinese puzzle, from its madcap beginning to the final startling confession—a witty and nail-biting story of international intrigue and beautiful women, of powerful corporate executives and jet-set rogues, of cover-ups and headlines.
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"A really good book about the guys who faked the Howard Hughes autobiography. Written by the main guy who did it. A fascinating read , and it is unusual to have a criminal write about his own crime, and even more unusual when he is a professional writer."
— Travis (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Narrator Joe Barrett is remarkably convincing as the determined author…as hair-raising, breathlessly paced, and suspenseful as any spy novel. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile -
“Deserves to sell a million, because the fact is more weird than any fiction and the story is carried like a time bomb through the pages. Nothing can detract from Irving’s superb skill as a writer.”
— London Express -
“A story which reads like the best thriller fiction and which contains the seeds of a dozen movie scripts. Mysterious meetings, false passports, a beautiful Danish baroness, Swiss bank accounts…Alfred Hitchcock would handle the whole thing perfectly.”
— The Tatler -
“Barrett’s voice, tinged with cynicism, world-weariness, and a complete lack of guilt about the lying and deceit he is describing, captures Irving perfectly.”
— Kliatt
Awards
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
The Hoax Listener Reviews
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" Everything about this book and author is totally shameless. But fascinatingly so. If you're looking to learn anything about Howard Hughes though, don't read this. "
— Anna, 12/28/2013 -
" Irving's story was a fun, falling-into-fame sort of tale. His personality as narrator is companionable at best, and he sounds like he fancies himself a little cleverer than he actually is. I liked this book, but have no motivation to read anything else by Irving, especially fiction. "
— Lively, 11/26/2013 -
" The story was interesting but I found myself wishing that Irving would just get to the point so I could find out what happened when everyone realized the whole thing was a hoax. It dragged on too much for me. "
— Anne, 9/20/2013 -
" I'm on page 60 and think I will stop reading this one. It's awful! The narrator is obnoxious and his writing style is incredibly verbose. Don't be fooled by the interesting back cover! "
— Lauren, 9/5/2013 -
" I could imagine a number of interesting ways to frame what might be a fascinating story. This isn't one of them. I was hoping for introspection or facts but found myself bogged down in a screenplay that needed editing. "
— C.R., 8/12/2013 -
" AMAZING True story and insane that it could be pulled off. A story that must be told and It was a wild ride. Great. "
— Crystal, 7/16/2013 -
" I read it, and then saw the movie...I liked the book much better! "
— ValerieWitte, 6/22/2013 -
" Great tale of one of the all time hoaxes. Irving and friends set out to convince the world that reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes wanted him to write his story. "
— Sal, 5/18/2013 -
" OK, Clifford Irving may be an ass, but this is a highly entertaining account of his fake Howard Hughes autobiography, and for the time that I was reading it, I couldn't put it down. "
— Stephanie, 4/5/2013 -
" Did not read much of it. Author seems overly impressed with himself for accomplishing a dishonest act. "
— Heather, 1/20/2012 -
" Story of a fake autobiography of Howard Hughes. People expand a lot of effort doing pretty foolish things. Enjoyable to read how the author pulls it off. "
— George, 1/7/2008
About Clifford Irving
Clifford Irving was born in New York City and attended Cornell University. After his infamous hoax came to light, Time magazine dubbed him “Con Man of the Year.” Since serving his time in three different prisons for The Hoax, he has continued to write books. Irving now lives in Aspen, Colorado.
About Joe Barrett
Joe Barrett, an actor and Audie Award and Earphones Award–winning narrator, has appeared both on and off Broadway as well as in hundreds of radio and television commercials.