• This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

  • By: Ann Patchett
  • Narrated by: Ann Patchett
  • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,683 ratings)

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This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage  By  cover art

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

By: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Ann Patchett
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Publisher's summary

Blending literature and memoir, Ann Patchett, author of State of Wonder and Bel Canto examines her deepest commitments: to writing, family, friends, dogs, books, and her husband in This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage. Together, these essays, previously published in The Atlantic, Harper, Vogue, and The Washington Post, form a resonant portrait of a life lived with loyalty and with love.

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage takes us into the very real world of Ann Patchett's life. Stretching from her childhood to the present day, from a disastrous early marriage to a later happy one, it covers a multitude of topics, including relationships with family and friends, and charts the hard work and joy of writing, and the unexpected thrill of opening a bookstore.

As she shares stories of the people, places, ideals, and art to which she has remained indelibly committed, Ann Patchett brings into focus the large experiences and small moments that have shaped her as a daughter, wife, and writer.

©2013 Ann Patchett (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

"Readable and candid, Patchett’s collection is a joyful celebration of life, love and the written word." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Reading Patchett is like spending time with a deeply perceptive longtime pal, or a new friend that one instantly connects with." (USA Today)

"[A] sparkling collection." (The New Yorker)

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What listeners say about This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

Average customer ratings
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Did not know her before and fell in love

Looking to likely read her novels. Love knowing her true voice too. I highly recommend!

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Genuine!

l was familiar with Ann Patchett as a writer but this is my first chance to hear her words. What an insightful and inspiring writer! These short stories will not disappoint!

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I adored this book so much.

An interesting way to share a memoir; short stories. A fun skip through one's life. I would reccomend Patchett's work to anyone. This was my 3rd book of hers imminently after I finished it, I listened to Truth and Beauty that unfolds the life of the beautiful Lucy Grealy, her closest and most dear friend, and directly after that I listened to Autobiography Of A Face by Lucy...all three phenomenally written and expressed.

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This could be my favorite yet!

Thoughtful, provoking, winsome... I disappeared from this world while listening and loved it. Blessings to All who Hear.

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Beautiful

At first I thought this book was going to be horrible. It started by talking to writers about writing!! Then Anne started sharing her short stories and I was hooked!! Best read in a long time. Thanks!!!

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mind blowing brilliance and delight

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

if someone had never heard an audio book before this is the one i would recommend to get them started

Which character – as performed by Ann Patchett – was your favorite?

No characters- these are essays but certainly her dog Rose is the star of the book for me

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

i finished listening and began all over again - truly

Any additional comments?

How rare for an author to be the best reader of her own work but you fall in love with Ann patcheet and she never lets go of your heart

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A gift

Anne Patchett is a gift to all of us. Listening to her read her essays is as comfortable as lunch with an old friend. Her essays brim with everyday life which resonates so deeply. I cried. I was comforted. I was happy. I was taken into thoughts that I had put away years ago because they were too painful to think. Thank you to the universe for the gift of Anne Patchett

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Ann Patchett and some truths.

I enjoyed. The words regarding her grandmother's dementia and death were my experience as well. Her respect for Eudora Welty and the words exchnged at her funeral were familiar, as I witnessed something similar which I will remember forever. Clemson. The Bel-Air. So many wonderful stories.

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Contemplative

I wanted to hear Anne’s thoughts on marriage. I got so much more. This is a window into a life that is very relatable to most of our lives, not “shiny” and “dazzling” and with enough bumps in the road to make it hard at times. Anne opens the window into that life generously and thoughtfully. Perfect listening if you’re in the midst of some crossroads and want some perspective.

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These Are The Stories of a Happy Writer

First, it was great to actually hear Ann Patchett read her own work— a real treat. I’ve read three of Patchett’s works of fiction and was interested in her non-fiction. I wasn’t disappointed. Lots of great musings on the little things that make up life; and longer considerations of the bigger trials that make us who we are. AP strikes me as a pretty happy person, and maybe not naturally based on her discussions of childhood and early 20s. It was fun to see how events in life, small or large, shaped her. I would recommend this to fans of AP who are interested in her essay and non-fiction work.

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