Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

By: Jonathan Safran Foer

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman, Barbara Caruso, Richard Ferrone

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Jonathan Safran Foer's best-selling debut novel, Everything Is Illuminated, wowed critics on its way to winning several literary prizes, including Book of the Year honors from the Los Angeles Times. It has been published in 24 countries and will soon be a major motion picture. Foer's talent continues to shine in this sometimes hilarious and always heartfelt follow-up.

Nine-year-old Oskar Schell is a precocious Francophile who idolizes Stephen Hawking and plays the tambourine extremely well. He's also a boy struggling to come to terms with his father's death in the World Trade Center attacks. As he searches New York City for the lock that fits a mysterious key his father left behind, Oskar discovers much more than he could have imagined.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a masterfully imagined novel from an author Time hails as "a certified wunderkind".

©2005 Jonathan Safran Foer (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

• 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Multi-Voiced Performance

"Piercing and so funny." (The Bookseller)
"[Oskar's] first-person narration of his journey is arrestingly beautiful, and readers won't soon forget him." (Booklist)
"Jonathan Safran Foer's second novel is everything one hoped it would be: ambitious, pyrotechnic, riddling, and above all...extremely moving. An exceptional achievement." (Salman Rushdie)
"Brilliant....Unafraid to show his traumatized characters' constant groping for emotional catharsis, Foer demonstrates once again that he is one of the few contemporary writers willing to risk sentimentalism in order to address great questions of truth, love, and beauty." (Publishers Weekly)

Unusual story! Human, touching!

Would you try another book from Jonathan Safran Foer and/or the narrators?

Probably, although I found there were parts to the story that I just "didn't get" - there were also moments that were beautiful. The writing style is very different and when it's at it's best, completely engaging.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed it when the protagonist met the elderly gentleman while on his quest to find an object left behind by his Dad who was killed in 911. The man was so querky, sweet and unforgettable.

Could you see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Unfortunately, that ship has sailed and I don't think it helped this story become any more popular - in fact, it probably did it an injustice.

Any additional comments?

Be patient through the difficult parts, so will make more sense in time -

incredible

every moment was precious. I've never heard such beautiful writing. it's hard to describe this, it is so unique. I will definitely listen to it again. it's a look at the inner world of three connected people, but mostly the wonderful boy Oscar, who thinks like no one you've ever heard. it's brilliant

Through a child eye

Adults just don't understand what goes on in a child mind after a catastrophic loss. The book held my interest most of the time.

Extremely good and incredibly endearing

Let me start by saying I have never seen the movie, but hear it is quite good - so I don't know how the 2 compare. I have had this book for quite a while and mostly bought it based on the Audible reviews. I did drag my feet reading it because part of the story revolves around 9-11 and I just didn't want to read a depressing book. The story is about a family and its history for generations, not just the 9-11 event (so don't let that stop you from reading it).The story starts from the perspective of a small boy, Oscar. I loved his voice or inner dialog. It reminded me of The Power of One (an all time favorite book of mine). The book then jumps around with different chapters being told through the voice of different characters. It was a bit confusing at first but it eventually all starts to pull together. I ended up actually loving this book. the book didn't depress me but it definitely gave my heart strings a good yank.

This was not as good as I had hoped

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I didn't love the narrators.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jonathan Safran Foer? Why or why not?

I loved "Everything is Illuminated" on audio book, so I would be willing to give this author another try.

Excellent

What made the experience of listening to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close the most enjoyable?

Excellent voice work by all narrators. Except for the Grandma, who parts I never looked forward to.

Outstanding!

Would you consider the audio edition of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close to be better than the print version?

not applicable as I have not yet read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close?

When Oscar's Gramma is telling her tale of how she could see, and was hitting the space bar over and over and over. Sad, and telling.

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

no.

If you could rename Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, what would you call it?

I wouldn't. I love the title.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book for everyone. My Sixteen year old listened with me and enjoyed it very much.

A Must Listen

Just as in his first, Everything's Illuminated, this book is suffused with a refreshingly original voice, touching regard for the characters, and above all an appreciation for the shadows cast by humanity's light. A wonderful listen for sure.

A must listen!

What did you love best about Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close?

Everything

What was one of the most memorable moments of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close?

there's too many to pick one

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

as awesome as always for Richard Ferrone - and everyone else is wonderful as well

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

both laugh and cry

Any additional comments?

This should be required listening and reading

I couldn't miss a single part.

I loved the characters in this book.It is written with such a clever wit, but the voices really draw you into the story.This is about a boy Oscar, whose father died in 9/11. It doesn't focus on the sadness but on the relationships that link to his father. I felt I could not miss one single part of this book. The kid is very quirky all loaded with dreams, fears and love. I would recommend this. Make sure you can really listen to the first of the book and you will be drawn in as well. So Good!