Download The Nobodies Album Audiobook

" so far i don't want to put it down....looking forward to some quiet days of reading! "

" This was a page turner "

" For the third time, Carolyn Parkhurst has written a riveting novel that is difficult to put down. This postmodern story is narrated by Octavia Frost, a commercially successful seven-time novelist who has been estranged from her rock star son Milo ever since he read the all too revealing ending of one of her books that capitalized on the deaths of her husband and younger daughter. The two are brought together when Milo is accused of murdering his sleeping fiancee Bettina in their home and Octavia hops on a plane to help defend him, as well as unwittingly solve the mystery of Bettina's death. Octavia has also recently submitted her latest work to her publisher--the titular Nobodies Album--a work in which she rewrites the endings of her published novels in thinly veiled attempt to right the wrong that divided her from her son four years earlier. The original endings of these fictional works and their new counterparts are interspersed amongst the traditional narration, often metaphorically commenting on the redeveloping relationship between Octavia and Milo and revealing important aspects of the two's shared past. This all may sound convoluted and contrived, yet as Parkhurst does in her previous two novels (The Dogs of Babel and Lost and Found), she creates a totally plausible and enthralling plot filled with captivating characters and insightful commentary. That said, there are issues here I don't remember being present in her previous books. At one point, Octavia mentions the metaphor that "the life experience of a fiction writer is like butter in cookie dough: it's a crucial part of flavor and texture--you certainly couldn't leave it out--but if you've done it right, it can't be discerned as a separate element" (155). Brilliant, yes. Accurate, no. Octavia is an extremely bright woman who has published seven novels, all of which include the death of a child. One of the novel's central mysteries is what exactly happened to Octavia's husband and daughter, and when the truth is revealed, the excerpts from her novels are clearly all butter, very little cookie dough! This realization hits her as though she never considered it herself. Similarly, the catalyst for Milo's separation from his mother and the truth of Bettina's murder are equally as dissatisfying. Each of these might seem major flaws in light of the plot structure, yet for some reason I didn't mind them as a reader. Octavia still has a delightful voice, and the years of her mental stagnation after her family's demise is palpable. Her insight (although albeit inexplicably stalled at times) is often credibly accurate. For example, she describes marriage as "affectionate and tiresome, passionate and dull" (170). As a huge Parkhurst fan, the metafictional elements here make me truly curious about where the "butter" is in the "cookie dough" of her novels, especially since the three texts span such varied storylines, ranging from talking dogs to reality television. The Nobodies Albums certainly increases my anticipation for future Parkhurst novels! "

" Beautiful, simply one of the best books I've read in my entire life. I loved Octavia, Milo and even Bettina. This novel will haunt me forever and ever until my dying day. "

" Loved this: recommended by a really cool patron "

" Did not impact me the way DOGS OF BABEL did. That book had so much emotion in it and this one did not feel as deep... Interesting concept though. "

" probably closer to 3.8 or so... "

" I loved this book. Marvelous, about loss and redemption. I really enjoyed the author's overall use of language. Gorgeous and evocative. "

" My second book by this author. A unique story.Got the book title from a weekly book review our paper does. Very well written. I will read more by her. "

" This book was not typical of style of reading, but it totally intrigued me, and I found it very well written. I couldn't put it down. "

" From the authour of Dogs of Babel (which I think was excellent), this book is about endings, can we change them, was there a better way this could have gone, could I have done something different? The opportunity to reexamine so many different endings was interesting, to say the least. "

" I found this book to be VERY creative--different from anything I have ever read, and I have read a lot! There was a great, attention-keeping plot, but the sub-plots were as mesmerizing and I SO loved her forays into the protagonist's other novels. Let's just say, you need to read this. "

" Mystery drama this book is both and more. I loved it. "

" Surprisingly, I enjoyed this book. Thought I would put it down after the first few pages...the setting is about a modern day rock star and a murder. But stayed with it and found her writing interesting and held my attention. "

" I quite liked this, despite the slightly disjointed nature of the novel "

" This resonated with me. "

" Great read- a unique and intriguing premise, kept me reading- finished in less than a day "

" This is one of those books that was OK but as soon as I finished it i forgot what it was about. Maybe I was just having senior moments. "

" A pretty good read, but the convention of books within book bothered me. "

" Not one of my favorites but a good summer read. "

" Took me a couple chapters to get in to this book. Author really intrigued me with her main character novelist rewriting the ends to all her novels. Definitely recommend this one! "

" wierd but i liked it and it was a quick read. "

" This book was not typical of style of reading, but it totally intrigued me, and I found it very well written. I couldn't put it down. "

" so far i don't want to put it down....looking forward to some quiet days of reading! "

" I liked the story itself very much. I found the "novels-within-the-novel" to be just wretched. "

" I listened to the audiobook and truly enjoyed listening and learning from the main character who is a mother and writer and just plain inspiring and true character. "

" Really liked this one. Fascinated by the premise of rewriting the endings of the main character's books. The format was very unique and I liked that. "

" I didn't think I was going to like this, but it got me hooked. The last chapters of her books & then the rewritten parts were interesting. "