• Lily and the Octopus

  • By: Steven Rowley
  • Narrated by: Michael Urie
  • Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (2,313 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Lily and the Octopus  By  cover art

Lily and the Octopus

By: Steven Rowley
Narrated by: Michael Urie
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.74

Buy for $18.74

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Named to the American Library Association’s Reference & User Services (RUSA) Listen List!

Combining the emotional depth of The Art of Racing in the Rain with the magical spirit of The Life of Pi, Lily and the Octopus is an epic adventure of the heart.

When you listen to Lily and the Octopus, you will be taken on an unforgettable ride. The magic of this novel is in the listening, and we don't want to spoil it by giving away too many details. We can tell you that this is a story about that special someone: the one you trust, the one you can't live without. For Ted Flask, that someone special is his aging companion, Lily, who happens to be a dog.

Lily and the Octopus reminds us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go, and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all.

Remember the last book you told someone they had to listen to? Lily and the Octopus is the next one.

©2016 Steven Rowley (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Michael Urie narrates with a heartfelt passion that makes one giggle and laugh, nod in understanding and sob with sorrow. Urie's authentic emotion comes out in every character, whether it's Lily the dog's excitement, Ted the human's frustration, or the nameless octopus's apathy." ( AudioFile)

Love Books? You'll Love Audible.

Placeholder Image Alt Text

Transform your day

Replace endless scrolling with endless listening. Chores can be fun.

Placeholder Image Alt Text

Listen everywhere

Download titles to listen offline, wherever you are in the world.

Placeholder Image Alt Text

Carry your entire Library

Your stories go where you go. Audiobooks don’t weigh a thing.

Placeholder Image Alt Text

Listen and learn

Discover stories that can change your mind, your well-being, and your life.

Placeholder Image Alt Text

Reach your reading goals

You can’t turn pages while you drive—but you can press play.

Placeholder Image Alt Text

Find your niche

WIth thousands of titles to explore, there’s something for everyone.

Try for $0.00 $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

What listeners say about Lily and the Octopus

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,174
  • 4 Stars
    606
  • 3 Stars
    321
  • 2 Stars
    125
  • 1 Stars
    87
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,351
  • 4 Stars
    451
  • 3 Stars
    188
  • 2 Stars
    75
  • 1 Stars
    55
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,042
  • 4 Stars
    550
  • 3 Stars
    304
  • 2 Stars
    129
  • 1 Stars
    94

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Charming, quirky, funny and heartbreaking.

Beautiful tribute to the love of a four legged companion. I related to this book so much. Highly recommend it. I laughed out loud and I cried. Just jump in and let yourself be swept along for the ride.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So sad, but perfect.

I tried to avoid liking this book, I know how dog stories go. But this was different. The voice of Lily is perfect and anyone who has ever loved a dog will immediately recognize themselves.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • SL
  • 12-04-18

Made my cry

Listener beware, this will def make you teary, especially if you’ve lost a pet recently like I have. But it’s a wonderful performance and a cute story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for animals lovers.

This novel is best suited for animal lovers, especially those that have (or have had) strong bonds with a pet. The story is quirky and very sweet. The narration is excellent.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • bg
  • 02-10-19

Caution

This audiobook is amazing. Well-written, evocative and heart-warming, it explores elements of relationships, mental illness, and just the day-to-day dealing with intense emotions and situations.

But if you are a true animal lover, get prepared for some heavy sobbing. Thank heavens for the last bit of the book that brings you out of it again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tofurkey to live for

Rowley captures the essence of a dachshund's joy. He magically voices Lily's love of life and all the surprises it brings. Along the journey, through laughter, adventure and heart wrenching sorrow, Lily teaches us how to live and love deeply.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfection

I laughed and I cried, that’s the best! I loved everything about this book, it was funny and quirky and dealt with the deepest of human emotions- life and death. For anyone who has loved their dog this book is a must. Thank you Steven Rowley

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully sad

I ugly cried & felt the beauty of life and death and love. Enough said. Everything.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect for animal lovers

I loved this book it sparkles your imagination and takes you on a journey of pure love between a dog in someone who makes her a true companion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

awesome

such a sweet story. it really hits home for anyone who has out lived a beloved pet. it's quite the tear jerker and is masterful written. great job narrating, but I didn't like the sharp jerky voice that he inconsistently gave to Lilly.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!