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Less

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2018

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Less

By: Andrew Sean Greer
Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
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Summary

 *** Pre-order Andrew Sean Greer's brilliant new novel Villa Coco, coming in June ***

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2018

'You will sob little tears of joy' Nell Zink

'I recommend it with my whole heart' Ann Patchett

'This book is basically perfect' Dolly Alderton

'Charming, languid and incredibly funny, I absolutely adored Arthur' Jenny Colgan

'Marvellously, endearingly, unexpectedly funny' Gary Shteyngart

'I adore this book' Armistead Maupin

'Bedazzling, bewitching and be-wonderful' New York Times Book Review

'A fast and rocketing read . . . a wonderful, wonderful book!' Karen Joy Fowler

'Hilarious, and wise, and abundantly funny' Adam Haslett

WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEMS?

Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the post: it is from an ex-boyfriend of nine years who is engaged to someone else. Arthur can't say yes - it would be too awkward; he can't say no - it would look like defeat. So, he begins to accept the invitations on his desk to half-baked literary events around the world.

From France to India, Germany to Japan, Arthur almost falls in love, almost falls to his death, and puts miles between him and the plight he refuses to face. Less is a novel about mishaps, misunderstandings and the depths of the human heart.©2017 Andrew Sean Greer Fiction Genre Fiction Humorous Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Romantic Comedy Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny Inspiring Witty

Critic reviews

I adore this book (Armistead Maupin)
Greer is one of the most talented writers around (Michael Chabon)
A really smart, funny book that pulls you up instead of down . . . It's hysterical, and the writing is fantastic (Ann Patchett)
The most deftly funny romantic comedy I've read in years. If you have a sentimental bone in your body (I have 206),the ending will make you sob little tears of joy (Nell Zink)
Marvelously, unexpectedly, endearingly funny. A love story focused on the erroneous belief that the second half of life will pale in comparison to the first. Guess what? It won't! (Gary Shteyngart)
Less is the funniest, smartest, and most humane novel I've read since The Imperfectionists . . . Greer writes sentences of arresting lyricism and beauty. His metaphors come at you like fireflies . . . Like Arthur, Andrew Sean Greer's Less is excellent company. It's no less than bedazzling, bewitching and be-wonderful (Christopher Buckley)
A generous book, musical in its prose and expansive in its structure and range, about growing older and the essential nature of love (Judges of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2018)
I am re-reading Less by Andrew Sean Greer. It is a hilarious, heart-warming story about an imperfect, optimistic and utterly loveable protagonist Arthur Less, stumbling towards a milestone of middle-age on a geographical and personal odyssey while reflecting on his life so far. It is my idea of perfect comfort reading - heroically hopeful, laugh-out-loud funny and overflowing with love (Dolly Alderton)
A fast and rocketing read with everything I want from a story - moments of high humor, moments of genuine wisdom, sharp insights, and gorgeous images. A wonderful, wonderful book!
Greer is an exceptionally lovely writer, capable of mingling humor with sharp poignancy . . . Brilliantly funny . . . Greer's narration, so elegantly laced with wit, cradles the story of a man who loses everything: his lover, his suitcase, his beard, his dignity
Less is philosophical, poignant, funny and wise, filled with unexpected turns . . . Although Greer is gifted and subtle in comic moments, he's just as adept at ruminating on the deeper stuff. His protagonist grapples with aging,loneliness, creativity, grief, self-pity and more
Greer elevates Less' picaresque journey into a wise and witty novel. This is no Eat, Pray Love story of touristic uplift, but rather a grand travelogue of foibles, humiliations and self-deprecation, ending in joy, and a dollop of self-knowledge
Greer, the author of wonderful, heartfelt novels including The Confessions of Max Tivoli, The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells and The Story of a Marriage, shows he has another powerful weapon in his arsenal: comedy. And who doesn't need a laugh right about now?
All stars
Most relevant
An extremely relatable story, tender and amusing well developed characters. Paints an incredibly vivid journey!

Incredible

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This works well as a story and kept me fully engaged throughout. Well written and well performed. I can understand its 4 star ratings because it will not appeal to everyone but I found it to be a clever little piece which understands aging without necessarily being about aging and yet being all about aging. Worth your time.

Really enjoyable

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Fun review of being 50 and the realization that some things change and have to go but lots of good stuff can stay

Gentle look in the mirror to see your soul at 59

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Great story interesting characters but had to abandon due to terrible sound quality where some words couldn't decipher at all

book good sound quality fuzzy as are half audible books now

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Knowing that this novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2018, I had high hopes of a great experience . It was certainly a really good read and it had moments of comic genius, high drama and heart-breaking poignancy.

Arthur Less, an author of lukewarm fame, is a memorable character. He runs away from his problems, painful memories, difficult situations, his need for professional recognition and his agent/publisher. Amongst all of this he is plagued by the notion that perhaps no-one will ever truly love him or his writing. In order to avoid his ex-lover's wedding he sets off on a journey around the world and in doing so he opens himself up to new experiences and painful memories. But his return home brings, perhaps, the start of the greatest journey of his life.

The narration of this novel was pitch perfect and added to a truly satisfying experience. Major prize-winning novels can often disappoint but this one certainly lived up to the lavish praise it received from critics.

Very enjoyable. Less is definitely moreish.

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