The book that inspired the hit film!
Up until senior year, Greg has maintained total social invisibility. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time - when not playing video games and avoiding Earl's terrifying brothers - making movies, their own versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics. Greg would be the first one to tell you his movies are f*@$ing terrible, but he and Earl don't make them for other people. Until Rachel.
Rachel has leukemia, and Greg's mom gets the genius idea that Greg should befriend her. Against his better judgment, and despite his extreme awkwardness, he does. When Rachel decides to stop treatment, Greg and Earl must abandon invisibility and make a stand. It's a hilarious, outrageous, and truthful look at death and high school by a prodigiously talented debut author.
This audiobook is read by the stars of the movie adaptation, Thomas Mann and RJ Cyler, as well as Keith Szarabajka, Hillary Huber, Kirby Heyborne, Abigail Revasch, and Adenrele Ojo.
©2013 Jesse Andrews (P)2015 Listening Library
"Narrator Thomas Mann is flawless as insecure high school senior Greg Gaines." (AudioFile)
"Disclaimer: This Indie Book not for Everyone"
On the periphery, Greg is neither cool kid nor complete outsider. He makes bad home movies with silly puns, bad dialogue, the occasional sock puppet, for amusement and as an homage to the greats (Kubrick, Kurosawa, etc.). When asked to spend time with an sort-of-ex-girlfriend, he begrudgingly enlists the help of Earl to begin this muddled attempt at friendship.
This is an indie book, reading like a film and it is not "The Fault in Our Stars" or any other comparison publishers will claim to sell this book. In film fashion, there are many voices, and at times, the famous movie trailer narrator, randomly voices over a scene; odd and clever. The entire book is first person narrative, as if Greg's talking directly to you, like Ferris Bueller turned to the camera occasionally, but his monologue doesn't end. Knowing these facts, maybe this book is a good fit. It's a quirky deviation from what's out there right now, but not everyone's cup of tea.
"Wonderful cast recording of a touching take"
I loved the fact this didn't romanticize or gloss over the way people really feel about and deal with death. A lot of folks compare this to "The Fault in Our Stars", but this is a very different story; only the basic topic remains the same. This is well worth a listen, not just for the book, but the wonderful cast performance.
"Very good"
I thought the story itself was both compelling and funny. And the fact that it was written as if Greg was writing a book and filling it with his own unfiltered thoughts made it even better. The story teller's voice was calming and he put a lot of emotion into what he was telling. All and all it was a good book and it was performed very well.
"loved it"
Great narration and great story. Can't wait to see the movie, although I know it won't compare to the book.
"Different from other YA books"
Probably not. I liked it a lot, but I didn't love it. It's not the type of book that I would typically listen to again.
I suppose a lot of people would compare it to The Fault in Our Stars because one of the main characters has cancer, but that is where the similarities end. There is no romance or great adventures. There aren't really any memories made or lessons learned.
No, but the narration in this book is fantastic. A full cast is a great and different experience.
It is pretty different from the movie. The movie is happier.
"Couldn't finish it"
Either a work of genius that I failed to get... or just a really boring, pointless book. This is the first time I've left a book unfinished on Audible, but just couldn't be bothered to listen until the end.
"Written out of the mouths of babes"
This audiobook is read by cast of award winning movie. Support Artists listen, Read, watch movies. Book is sad but true storie
Its a fascinating tale that would begin on may 5th, 1989 in Mease Dunedin hospital and from there the legacy grew. I am adult now.
"Poking fun at death"
This story is innovative and written like a movie so of course it drew me right away. Of course it's profane and not sad. No it isn't a love story but it be interesting to see how it's portrayed on the big screen. It's nice to hear about people being passionate about film.
"Good book"
I felt this book was ok. I was disappointed with the foul language in the book.