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So Much for That
- Narrated by: Dan John Miller
- Length: 17 hrs and 4 mins
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So Much for That
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Summary
The extraordinary new novel from the Orange Prize winning author of ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’.
What do you pack for the rest of your life?
Shepherd Knacker is bored with his humdrum existence. He's sold his successful handy-man business for a million dollars and is now ready to embark on his 'Afterlife' – a one way ticket to a small island off the coast of Africa. He tries to convince his wife Glynis to come with him, but she laughs off the idea as preposterous.There's no way she'll let Shepherd uproot the family to some far-flung African island.
When Glynis is diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer, Shepherd's dreams of an exotic adventure are firmly put on hold. He devotes himself to caring for his sick wife, watching her fade before his eyes.
Shepherd's best friend Jackson knows all too well about illness. His sixteen year old daughter has spent her life dosed up on every treatment going while he and his wife Carol feed their youngest daughter sugar pills so she won't feel left out. But then Jackson undergoes a medical procedure of his own which has devastating consequences …
So Much For That is a deeply affecting novel, told with Lionel Shriver's trademark originality, intelligence and acute perception of the human condition.
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Critic reviews
Wide-ranging, sometimes zany and unpredictable, this is a compelling read. And however many twists Shriver shoves in, you always believe her.
The Times
Many people will like Lionel Shriver's ninth novel – admirers of gripping and clever contemporary fiction, discerning critics and, if there is any justice, literary prize committees.
Guardian
Shriver proves she is not afraid of anything…
Observer
It's a wonder that subject matter on the surface so bleak can be transformed into something so uplifting.
Daily Telegraph
Yes, a brilliantly funny cancer book! You can rely on Lionel Shriver to upend your expectations.
Daily Express
Required reading for all mortals.
Daily Mail
…witty, observant and beautifully controlled. British readers will close this excellent novel feeling grateful for the NHS.
Literary Review
…a visceral and deeply affecting story, a story about how illness affects people's relationships, and how their efforts to grapple with mortality reshape the arcs of their lives.
Michiko Kakutani, New York Times
What listeners say about So Much for That
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jan Lawson
- 01-02-23
Captivating
Very long but most realistic description of a terminal cancer journey within à broader story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna Haighton
- 19-01-19
Just amazing!
I can't praise this highly enough- an amazing story, fantastic narration and totally hilarious and heart breaking in equal measure. I just couldn't stop listening to it. Highly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Malcolm
- 01-11-10
terrific
Terrific book - one of her best - and not depressing as you might think from reading the storyline. It's not just about cancer, but about love, firendship, how to live, how to die and as usual her characters have real depth and interest. Very moving with a particularly clever ending.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Carrie
- 21-07-16
Brilliant
This women is an absolutely brilliant writer. Her characters are so real. Good and bad... she gets people. This starts a little slow but is SO worth it. Stick with it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah King
- 22-07-20
The Perfect Novel by one of the best writers alive today
I have read all of Lionel Shriver’s work, and am a huge fan of her writing, her sharp wit, her incisive way with words, her railings cleverly delivered through her character’s dialogue.
So Much for That seems to me to be her masterpiece, which is some praise, given the extraordinarily high quality of her work.
It is deeply meaningful, life affirming, funny, sad and a fantastic read. The characters are so well drawn and her dialogue so well written that it’s hard to put it down.
I laughed out loud and cried as well, I have read it twice now, and I urge anyone to read this book.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ellie Preston
- 19-04-20
Really worth a listen
Heartwarming and makes you question things. NOT depressing more uplifting with its honesty. Sometimes narration is a little robotic but doesn’t ruin it
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs S E Thompson
- 30-09-15
Good read
Great read. It took me awhile to get into the story and was wondering how it could end? But it was good. A definite read if you are an ex pat in the U.S. Medical system too!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- S.K.
- 11-05-24
All the characters are horrible
I've made it most of the way through and I am sick of everyone in the book. I often dislike Shriver characters but this lot are especially unfun to be around, even the ones I would expect to have some sympathy for owing to their grim circumstances. Her habit of using her characters as sockpuppets to opine about news stories of the day is out in force. Apart from distracting from the story, it dates the book terribly. Let poor Terry Schiavo rest in peace.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- sealover
- 10-01-23
Depressing
I can't go on with it. Too long and too depressing. I see some liked it but it isn't for me.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
- Paula
- 07-11-10
Dreary
This was a huge disappointment because the outline of the story did not prepare me for the real story. The narration is excellent and is probably the only reason I have hung on so long.
I have now listened for eight hours and am about to abandon this book - which goes right against the grain. I don't like not getting to the end.
Trouble is that there is only one character I have any empathy for. The rest are a whingeing, whining, boring bunch of people. I am sick to death of the whole lot.
Very disappointed.
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3 people found this helpful