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The Lola Quartet

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About this listen

From the bestselling author of Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility—Gavin Sasaki was a promising young journalist in New York City until the day he was fired for plagiarism.

The last thing he wants is to sell foreclosed real estate for his sister Eilo’s company in their Florida hometown, but he’s in no position to refuse her job offer. Plus, there’s another reason to go home: Eilo recently met a ten-year-old girl who looks very much like Gavin and has the same last name as his high-school girlfriend, Anna, who left town abruptly after graduation.

Determined to find out if this little girl might be his daughter, Gavin sets off to track down Anna, starting with the three friends they shared back when he was part of a jazz group called “The Lola Quartet.” As Gavin pieces together their stories, he learns that Anna has been on the run for good reason, and soon his investigation into her sudden disappearance all those years ago takes a seriously dangerous turn.

Look for Emily St. John Mandel’s bestselling new novel, Sea of Tranquility!
Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense

Critic reviews

“[An] ingeniously constructed literary thriller.”— Minneapolis Star Tribune

“[An] elegant, hypnotic novel. . . . An elegy for lost—and perhaps only imagined—innocence.” —The Washington Post

“Compelling. . . . Perhaps all novelists can be said to wrestle with morality; Mandel seems to wrestle with it at greater length and in greater depth than most. . . . First-rate fiction.” —Dallas Morning News

“A novel noir that wears its influences proudly on the beige sleeve of its trench coat…. Delightful.” —Paste

“Trumpets [Mandel’s] talents: her charismatic verbal grace and acuity, the rich atmosphere she creates.” —The Boston Globe

“Emily St. John Mandel is astonishing.” —Emma Straub, author of The Vacationers

“[Mandel] is a stunningly beautiful writer whose complex, flawed, and well-drawn characters linger with you.” —Sarah McCarry, Tor.com

“Fascinating.” —Booklist

“Riveting. . . . Evocative, intriguing, and complex, this novel is as smooth as the underbelly of a deadly, furtive reptile.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“A rewarding read.” —Foreword magazine

“Result[s] in both sophistication and suspense.” —Publishers Weekly

“[Mandel’s] writing is pure elegance.” —Patrick DeWitt, author of Sisters Brothers
All stars
Most relevant
It goes like this: I purchased 'Station Eleven' by a Daily Deal offer. It happens to be the best post-apocaliptic novel I have ever read. I purchased 'The Lola Quartet' to check whether Miss Mandel is in the height on other genres as well.

She is! She is! This is a kind of crime novel with dark places, depressing people and a clever plot. It's sad to see how everything and everybody falls apart and then some of them find a miserable way out or remains the same looser. Written with utmost sensibility and brio, 'The Lola Quartet' remains for me one of the most remarkable listens of the year. These days I am going to purchase the two other titles by the author.

Dark, creepy, atmospheric

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Mandel weaves a strong narrative with honest characters in this tale and it's told with aplomb.

Beautiful and Compelling

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I love the author’s other novels - each so different but each with a story of interesting characters beautifully told. There is a languid pace to this book despite the fact a lot happens. The story unfolds slowly and is pieced together from different perspectives with different timelines until the whole is visible. The characters are not that likeable but their human flaws make you care. It’s not a conventional thriller or indeed a thriller at all but this does not diminish the interest. The narrator is a little monotonous in tone at times but that didn’t undermine it for me and arguably it suited the work.

Skilfully told gripping story

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Lola Quartet is well performed by Sarah Scott. The story is OK. A tale concerning the decadent old history of a group of musical classmates. Characterisation is good and the people have real life about them.

I feel the work is a little dull though. There are some episodes of of danger and tension. But just not enough. I washed glad to be finish it.

OK. Not as good as as Station 11

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I tried, but ultimately these were boring, depressing characters in whom I could not find the slightest interest. Narration perfectly acceptable, but I gave up half way through. I love all the author’s other work and have listened to Station 11 twice. I look forward to her next offering!

Not up to the high standard of the author’s other work

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