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Who Killed My Father

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About this listen

Penguin presents the audio edition of Who Killed My Father, written and read by Edouard Louis.

Who Killed My Father is the story of a tough guy – the story of the little boy I never was. The story of my father.

In Who Killed My Father, Édouard Louis explores key moments in his father’s life, and the tenderness and disconnects in their relationship.

Told with the fire of a writer determined on social justice, and with the compassion of a loving son, the book urgently and brilliantly engages with issues surrounding masculinity, class, homophobia, shame and social poverty.

It unflinchingly takes aim at systems that disadvantage those they seek to exclude – those who have their expectations, hopes and passions crushed by a society which gives them little thought.

 Fatherhood Parenting & Families Politics & Government Racism & Discrimination Relationships Social Policy Social Sciences Discrimination Social justice

Critic reviews

Edouard Louis [is] the vanguard of France’s new generation of political writers (Arjun Neil Alim)
Edouard Louis… speaks with an emotional authenticity and a stylistic confidence that is hard to ignore (Tim Adams)
This short work tackles the intersections of class, gender and sexuality... Louis gives voice to the way the cruel, crude hegemony of masculinity has essentially destroyed his father’s life, making him “as much a victim of the violence” he inflicted as of the violence he endured (Lauren Elkin)
This valuable tale brings emotion to a discussion led by numbers, encouraging us to remember the real human lives affected by policy and political point-scoring (Todd Gillespie)
To understand what is happening now in France, or indeed, all over Europe, this is an essential text
[A] small but hugely powerful book… Louis has further enhanced his growing reputation as the head of France's new wave of revolutionary writers (Paul Simon)
With great clarity, this short autobiography speaks of 21st-century working-class lives tarnished by shame and the erosion of hopes and ambitions. Louis and his father appear to recover from their personal losses of love and joy and family life; but it feels too late and at too great a cost (Martin Myers)
A masterful work from an underrepresented voice, which reminds us that the political is intrinsically personal
All stars
Most relevant
A brutal depiction of a person whose - emotional, physical, psychological (sexual?)- growth was restricted; bound about by the barbed wire of poverty.

This sounds unspeakably grim but love shines through too; it's not a classic misery memoir, the author's voice makes it a smoother, more poetic listen.

I'd like to have learned more and beware this is a very short book - not much listening for your credit - but still I recommend.

Short and to the point

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