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The Beginner's Goodbye

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The Beginner's Goodbye

By: Anne Tyler
Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
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About this listen

When Dorothy came back from the dead, Aaron noticed that some people simply ignored the fact; some seemed to have forgotten she had died in the first place; and others just walked straight on by. The accident that killed Dorothy - involving an oak tree, a sun porch and some elusive biscuits - leaves Aaron bereft and the house a wreck. As those around him fuss and flap and bring him casserole after casserole, Aaron ploughs on. He busies himself with work at the family firm, a publisher with a successful line in 'Beginner's Guides' to every stage and aspect of life. But then Dorothy starts to materialize in the oddest places. At first, she only comes for a short while, leaving Aaron longing for more. Gradually she stays for longer, and as they talk they also bicker...

The cracks that start to reappear in their perfectly normal marriage are as well-worn and familiar to Aaron as Dorothy herself. As Aaron starts to emerge from his grief, they are also a reassuringly poignant reminder that life may move on, but some things will forever remain the same.

©2012 Anne Tyler (P)2012 Random House AudioGo
Fiction Literary Fiction Tear-jerking
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What listeners say about The Beginner's Goodbye

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Gentle and poignant

Classic Anne Tyler, this is the first time I have listened to an audio book of hers instead of reading the book and it was wonderful. The reader's voice is very soothing and he brings out the different characters very well. Absolutely worth a listen.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Uplifting tale of love and loss

If you could sum up The Beginner's Goodbye in three words, what would they be?

memorable, uplifting, surprising

What other book might you compare The Beginner's Goodbye to, and why?

I've not read a book like this one before, I'd compare it to the movie "The Lake House"

What does Kirby Heyborne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He has a wonderful voice, my only criticism is that at first listening I thought the characters were older than they were, his voice made me think of an elderly man looking back on his life

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Open yourself to love

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Much about nothing!

This book was a bit of a wash out for me. Didn't really go anywhere. Didn't really grab me with huge interest. A take it or leave it book.

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