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What I Saw and How I Lied Audiobook
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(3.00) - 6,923 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This National Book Award winner set during the aftermath of WWII is now available on audio!Format: 4 CDs, UnabridgedNARRATOR: Caitlin Greer
When Evie's father returned home from World War II, the family fell back into its normal life pretty quickly. But Joe Spooner brought more back with him than just good war stories. When movie-star handsome Peter Coleridge, a young ex-GI who served in Joe's company in postwar Austria, shows up, Evie is suddenly caught in a complicated web of lies that she only slowly recognizes. She finds herself falling for Peter, ignoring the secrets that surround him . . . until a tragedy occurs that shatters her family and breaks her life in two.Download and start listening now!
"I don't usually read YA fiction, but my mother-in-law had a copy of this lying around and highly recommended it, and I loved the cover and had nothing better to do on vacation, so I picked it up and essentially read straight through it in a night, which for me is a sign of deep immersion and great enjoyment. (I really don't understand why some people consider "fast read" a put down; I typically only read fast when I'm more invested in the book than in the distractions of my real life). I love the whole notion of a young adult noir, and I thought that Blundell nailed the narrator's shifting voice as she came of age in the process of the novel, which in her case meant discovering the dark side of human nature (including that of her mother and stepfather), and discovering her sexuality and capacity for love. Furthermore, the mystery was great, with enough twists and turns to keep it constantly engaging and surprising but never implausible. This was one of the better books I've read recently, YA or no."
— Malena (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A taut, noirish mystery/coming-of-age story set in 1947…Readers can taste Evie’s alienation and her yearning; it’s a stylish, addictive brew.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Caitlin Greer paces the story perfectly, drawing out each scene, pulling each character into the drama. Each story line is given equal emphasis, so the listener doesn’t see how all the pieces fit together until the end.”
— AudioFile -
“Evie learns that adults, even those closest to her, are not always what they seem. Blundell navigates this multidimensional plotline with unique, well-developed characters and insightful dialogue. Yet it is Evie and her rapidly maturing perception of herself and those around her that carry the story. In many ways she becomes the adult in the group, motivated by truth and justice rather than greed or superficial appearances.”
— School Library Journal -
“Using pitch-perfect dialogue and short sentences filled with meaning, Blundell has crafted a suspenseful, historical mystery that not only subtly explores issues of post–WWII racism, sexism, and socioeconomic class, but also realistically captures the headiness of first love and the crushing realization that adults are not all-powerful.”
— Booklist
Awards
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Winner of the National Book Award
What I Saw and How I Lied Listener Reviews
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" This book kept my attention and was a nice, quick read. I read too many reviews when I bought it though, and spoiled it by knowing the twist before it happened. I think it could have been more interesting if I hadn't, but I'll never know... Good insight into a teenager's mind, one racey part, I didn't like the choices the main characters made, but it read real. "
— Andrea, 2/6/2014 -
" I wouldn't want my adolescent child reading this book, mostly because of a rather explicit almost-sex-scene. Not to mention that I wasn't overall very impressed with the story. I read it in a couple hours and was left feeling underwhelmed by the writing and plot. "
— Cindy, 1/25/2014 -
" I thought this book was OK. I didn't like the characters in it so I had a hard time feeling sympathy for them or getting into the story. "
— Samantha, 1/18/2014 -
" Fabulous book! I honestly do not know what words to use to describe this book. "
— Ginny, 1/11/2014 -
" Started it at 8:00 one night...finished it during 5th period the next day. I loved it!! "
— MissMcD, 1/1/2014 -
" This was only OK as teen/YA books go. Quite nice that it's set in an older era for a change, but the foreshadowings and drama are all a bit obvious. "
— Liza, 12/9/2013 -
" I didn't like the boy she thought liked her was really dating her mom was messed up to me but it was otherwise a great book. :) "
— Mahvish, 11/14/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book about first loves and disappointments. The characters are some that you really love or really hate. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator was terrific! I recommend this book! "
— Stephanie, 10/26/2013 -
" It's an ugly business, growing up and realizing that the people you love aren't saints. Even so, this was certainly not my favorite read of the summer. It's realistic drama set in the 1940s, and I don't care for either realism or period pieces. "
— Paula, 11/18/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this story and the time period and setting. I also liked the writer's style. "
— Anjelica, 9/10/2012 -
" It was an interesting book, but it's definatly a girly book. "
— Kirsty, 9/8/2012 -
" No matter how many times i tried to read it I never got into it. The first 2 chapters were fine but after that it lost me. I had to put it down. "
— Ashley, 8/16/2012 -
" Good look at post WWII culture, with a bit of a mystery thrown in. I appreciated learning some little known facts about both WWII and post-war in the US. Wasn't thrilled with the main character - but others might like her more than I did. "
— Laura, 2/26/2012 -
" terrific YA--set in 1947. Great period details and mystery, drama, romance, and some interesting details about life on the "homefront" during WWII. "
— Krissy, 12/28/2011 -
" Very interesting indeed, how many lies has she been told? Was it a natural disaster or plain murder that killed her beloved Peter. Why is it that love is denied by those who are blinded by judgement and hate upon those who actually deserve happiness within their lives. "
— Burn, 10/16/2011 -
" An entertaining shall we say 'mysterious' book. I liked it, it certainly passed the time while I was reading it. The characters were all believable, and well developed. It didn't end, persay, quite how I wanted it to. That's the only thing. "
— Jennifer, 5/22/2011 -
" Absolutely riveting; couldn't put it down. "
— Judie, 5/20/2011 -
" A good read, but nothing special! I'm giving it a bit of leeway as it's a YA, the story was good and the characters were brilliantly drawn, but it lacked a little in bite, I felt, which as a YA is understandable really, but as a proper grown up (I am, honest!) it left me a little wanting! "
— Natalie, 5/17/2011 -
" I don't recommend this one. Coming-of-age blah blah, a little obvious in some places, the only really good plot stuff is at the end. Also? She didn't SEE anything. The title lied to me. :) "
— Emily, 5/16/2011 -
" I had started this book several times, so stick with it in the beginning. Found I couldn't put it down! National Book Award Winner. Very interesting. Good mystery for YA "
— Barbara, 5/16/2011 -
" This is a really good YA novel by a talented author. "
— Krista, 5/16/2011 -
" Very good coming of age tale. Set in 1947 with a noirish dark edge. "
— Amanda, 5/13/2011 -
" About post-World War II time period in the U.S. This book was interesting in the subjects that it brings up and how you have to read carefully to figure out what the real story is. "
— Jess, 5/13/2011 -
" Décevant. Lorsque j'ai lu la quatrième de couverture, je m'attendais à mieux. "
— Yaa, 5/8/2011 -
" Judy Blundell writes like a warm blanket on a cold night feels. You just want to cozy up to her prose. This is a captivating story that is part war story, part romance, part adventure and part mystery. The characterization is scintillating and the pacing is flawless. One of my favorite books. "
— Mark, 5/7/2011 -
" Brilliantly retro in its subject and prose a fantastic read for anyone looking for a touch of old school glamour. On a serious note it represents a different side of the post war story. Very delicately this book convays the trama men and their families experienced after WW2. "
— Candice, 5/6/2011 -
" I like the title in and of itself - intriguing, plus it just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? - but I think it actually spoils the book. Would have given it four stars if I hadn't had such a strong sense from the beginning of what was to come - totally diffused the tension for me. "
— Didi, 5/2/2011 -
" This book definitely kept me guessing. It is totally worth reading. "
— Alexis, 4/28/2011
About Judy Blundell
Judy Blundell is the National Book Award–winning author of What I Saw and How I Lied. As Jude Watson, she is the author of several titles in the New York Times bestselling 39 Clues series, as well as the bestselling Star Wars: Last of the Jedi and Jedi Quest series. She lives in Katonah, New York.
About Caitlin Greer
Caitlin Greer has appeared on television, been a motion capture performer for animation and video games, and voiced many characters for film, television, video games, and radio. She was honored by the American Library Association as part of Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults and is an IGN Award–winner and two-time nominee for Best Voice Acting: Game Ensemble.