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We Contain Multitudes
- Narrated by: Matthew Gouveia, Tony Kim
- Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
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Summary
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe meets I'll Give You the Sun in an exhilarating and emotional novel about the growing relationship between two teen boys, told through the letters they write to one another.
Jonathan Hopkirk and Adam "Kurl" Kurlansky are partnered in English class, writing letters to one another in a weekly pen-pal assignment. With each letter, the two begin to develop a friendship that eventually grows into love. But with homophobia, bullying, and devastating family secrets, Jonathan and Kurl struggle to overcome their conflicts and hold onto their relationship...and each other.
This rare and special novel celebrates love and life with engaging characters and stunning language, making it perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson, Nina LaCour, and David Levithan.
Critic reviews
"A love story, a therapy session, a reason to read Whitman - the sweetness of unexpected amour is here, as is the saline of sadness.... Your reason to root for love - and the power of the pen." (Kirkus, starred review)
"This is an absolutely extraordinary work of fiction that proves the epistolary novel is an art form. Kurl and Jo are characters to die for, emotionally compelling and empathetic. Their quotidian lives are riveting and their story unforgettable...not to be missed." (Booklist, starred review)
"...as a medium for reporting day-to-day occurrences and conveying intimate feelings and classic themes - love, lust, and betrayal, among others - the letters shine." (Publishers Weekly)
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What listeners say about We Contain Multitudes
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- Amazon Customer
- 24-02-21
A sweet love story
I really loved this book and I found it both believable and relatable despite it being a long time since I was the age of the two main characters. I really became invested in their developing relationship and was rooting for them. The voice actors do an excellent job and l'd have no problem reccomending this title.
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- Frankie
- 10-11-20
An incredible book made even more beautiful and painful
The voice actors deserve all the praise. Their expert narration brought Henstra’s masterful writing to a new height by turning the book into a sort of cinematic experience for the listener.
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- Alison
- 15-05-20
Just lovely!
Really interesting way of moving plot and characters by having them write letters to each other. Also, any book that quotes Walt Whitman so often deserves 5 stars!
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- Oliver Bliss
- 29-08-22
Made my heart sing
Beautiful narration which on several occasions turned me into a pool of emotion😭
Great story telling with punchy pace. The backdrop of characters are rich and vivid and draw out additional issues which are peppered in the main structure of the story. My only critique is that the structure is in letter writing between us the two characters. Occasionally they overly justify why they are writing to each other in such great detail. It wasn’t needed, the romance of the whole thing just carries me through without need to clarify the joy of their desire to connect through writing. Anyone bookish or romantic will love this. It’s tender, it sexy and it’s passionate. Loved it
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- james
- 16-06-21
Couldn’t finish it
I have tried multiple times to get through this book but it is so drawn out and bland that I simply couldn’t enjoy it
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- Anonymous User
- 17-01-20
beautiful
This is a truly beautiful story of two young boys that learn to face life in their own way.
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-10-23
Delightful bittersweet romance, very well performe
The performances are truly excellent, and bring to life a genuine, wrenching story told in a charming epistolary form that works surprisingly well.
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- Frederick Anthony Winnall
- 17-10-22
Multitude
One of the best stories I have read. Carefully and imaginably crafted. The story line has many twists but the finale is exceptionally moving
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- Daniel Natt
- 05-11-23
very unlikable
I've listened to this twice now, I had completely forgotten everything in between both listens, so it felt new and fresh both times.
The VA performance was good, enough differentiation between characters to make it interesting, but sometimes the tone felt very flat.
My main issue comes from the writing itself. The concept of a story entirely told through letter is interesting and different enough to spark interest. The characters, however, are wholly unlikeable. I have never read a book where I can genuinely say I do not like any of the characters in the slightest.
I struggle to understand their motivations and reasonings for most things. There is no real character development for anyone, and the small amount there is feels undermined by the fact that the character still feels 2D and only defined by 1 basic characteristic.
I shouldn't be able to listen to an entire book, and the summary of the character at the beginning is the same as in the end. The most interesting revelation in the entire story happens to a character that died before the story even began, and even then, the characters' reactions to this felt so disingenuous and confusing to me.
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- Eve
- 26-01-20
Beautiful
what an utterly gorgeous book. I loved it so so much. thank you so much.
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