• Before I Go to Sleep

  • A Novel
  • By: S. J. Watson
  • Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy
  • Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (4,624 ratings)

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Before I Go to Sleep  By  cover art

Before I Go to Sleep

By: S. J. Watson
Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy
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Publisher's summary

"As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me...."

Memories define us.

So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?

Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight.

And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story.

Welcome to Christine's life.

©2011 S.J. Watson (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers
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What listeners say about Before I Go to Sleep

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,889
  • 4 Stars
    1,591
  • 3 Stars
    810
  • 2 Stars
    219
  • 1 Stars
    115
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    2,293
  • 4 Stars
    1,175
  • 3 Stars
    448
  • 2 Stars
    88
  • 1 Stars
    54
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,661
  • 4 Stars
    1,293
  • 3 Stars
    744
  • 2 Stars
    223
  • 1 Stars
    142

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

Best book I've read in years!

Best book I've read in years! The author had me hooked from the start and the ending was great and unexpected! I totally recommend this book.

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

3.5 stars

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The pace seemed a bit slow. I get that it is a psychological thriller, but a lot of the time it felt like the story was just not going anywhere.

Would you be willing to try another book from S. J. Watson? Why or why not?

Yes, definitely. Because this was a VERY unique idea. I've never read a (fictional) book about an amnesiac. It was certainly an original and suspenseful idea.

Have you listened to any of Orlagh Cassidy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never, but she was amazing in this one. She is so good, I never needed to be notified of which character is doing the talking - I knew automatically just from her tone.

Was Before I Go to Sleep worth the listening time?

Yes. The ending was shocking, but in a good way. I totally thought I had it figured out, and it completely threw me off. Overall, a very unique story.

Any additional comments?

I do recommend this book for a good time, an unusual mystery. Seems to move slow but it will definitely keep surprising you. Apparently theres a movie adaptation about to come out.

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

Too repetitive but well written

The novel by its subject required a lot of repetition as Chrissy learns about her life anew each day. It was a slowly developed story that could have moved a bit faster. However, the author does an excellent job of putting you in Chrissy's place. Well written and read.

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

Nail-biting story

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

Yes! For a first novel, this book is gripping and a little bit terrifying. I couldn't put it down.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't really have a favorite character, but I had a least favorite (towards the end, anyway).

Have you listened to any of Orlagh Cassidy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first for Orlagh, but it won't be my last!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending had me in tears. I felt so happy and sorry for Chrissy.

Any additional comments?

Don't plan to get any sleep!

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12 people found this helpful

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

Depressing

I had no problem with sound quality or an "echo"

I found this book a depressing slog of buildups and disappointing anticlimaxes. A roller coaster ride with long, drawn-out, hauls to the top followed by disappointing drops; leading nowhere, except to more incessant whining, few if any tangible clues as to what is real and what is not, and failures; all along, to validate clues and ground the reader.

I found the characterization of the husband annoying and unpleasant, which made me wonder if the author intended him to be really unpleasent or if the reader was misreading him.

All in all I found this a frustrating and depressing read.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Wasn't bad but wasn't great

It was unnecessarily slow and drawn out. There was only one line, written in the characters journal that kept me listening or I would've stopped and never finished it. The story wasn't bad but wasn't great. Worth it if it comes around on Daily Deal or you've exhausted all your other choices.

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1 person found this helpful

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

new favorite

I think I have a new favorite to add to my collection. Great story line. with a surprise ending

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

Great read! Well great stort

Loved the twist at the end. I was in suspense the whole time. The reader was very into character

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

Went out of my normal genre for this: Very Pleased

What did you like best about this story?

Well written story, and very well narrated. I would recommend this to someone that either likes psychological thrillers, or stories where the main character has forgotten who she is.

What about Orlagh Cassidy’s performance did you like?

Orlagh Cassidy is likely the perfect voice for this.

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

Emotionally engaging

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christine - interesting character

What does Orlagh Cassidy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The ranges of emotion portrayed in her voice.

Any additional comments?

I felt truly horrified for Christine and got to thinking about a lot of things about the people I depend on and trust.

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