Heft

By: Liz Moore

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne, Keith Szarabajka

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Literary Fiction, 2013

A heartwarming novel about larger-than-life characters and second chances....

Former academic Arthur Opp weighs 550 pounds and hasn’t left his rambling Brooklyn home in a decade. Twenty miles away in Yonkers, seventeen-year-old Kel Keller navigates life as the poor kid in a rich school and pins his hopes on what seems like a promising baseball career - if he can untangle himself from his family drama. The link between this unlikely pair is Kel’s mother, Charlene, a former student of Arthur’s. After nearly two decades of silence, it is Charlene’s unexpected phone call to Arthur - a plea for help - that jostles them into action. Through Arthur and Kel’s own quirky and lovable voices, Heft tells the winning story of two improbable heroes whose sudden connection transforms both their lives. Like Elizabeth McCracken’s The Giant’s House, Heft is a novel about love and family found in the most unexpected places.

©2012 Liz Moore (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A suspenseful, restorative novel from one of our fine young voices.” (Colum McCann, National Book Award–winning author)

“In Heft, Liz Moore creates a cast of vulnerable, lonely misfits that will break your heart and then make it soar. What a terrific novel!” (Ann Hood, best-selling author of The Red Thread)

“This is the real deal, Liz Moore is the real deal - she’s written a novel that will stick with you long after you’ve finished it.” (Russell Banks, Pulitzer Prize finalist)

I am surprised how deeply this book affected me!

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

I very much recommend this book. I was impressed with the author's ability to authentically present the emotional inner lives and outer connections of uncommon (but perhaps more common than most realize) individuals.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Heft?

Unfortunately, there were far more than I could have expected... I have been thinking about it for longer than it took to read/listen.

Which character – as performed by Kirby Heyborne and Keith Szarabajka – was your favorite?

Arthur Opp. No question. Incredible performance. Incredible character.

If you could rename Heft, what would you call it?

Courses

Any additional comments?

Sadly, I am afraid that anything I could say might actually serve to minimize the impact of this book on other readers. "Identity" and "self-awareness" are deep pools and the surface reflections are often distorted. See for yourself.

Didn't want it to end.

What made the experience of listening to Heft the most enjoyable?

I adored this story, fell in love with the characters and didn't want it to end. The writer has a way of letting you in to the character's deepest fears and desires. She has great insight into human nature and I related on may levels. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a story so much.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Heft?

When Kel finally opened up

What does Kirby Heyborne and Keith Szarabajka bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoyed it being narrated by two people, the characters were so different from one another, it was a good call. The guy who read Kels part was especially good at catching the characters feelings, in his voice. I could hear his voice shake when the character was scared, weak when he was overwhelmed and so on. I was so deep into the story that I forgot it was being narrated and wasn't real life, now thats what I call good reading. The reader for Arthur was perfect for his character as well, he just didn't have as many dramas to read out.

If you could rename Heft, what would you call it?

perfect name

Any additional comments?

If you enjoy reading stories that delve into the human psyche, this is a good one.
I loved everything about this book except that it ended too soon, left me wanting more. She did her job well as I now go to search more of her writings.

Sweet Sadness and Hope

I would describe "Heft" as a character study laced with sweet sadness. lost opportunity and loneliness. There is a small mystery in the plot, and, of course, hope keeps the characters afloat and drives the story forward.

"Heft" is not at all my usual kind of selection, but I loved it and will remember two of the characters - Arthur Opp and Yolanda - forever.

Heartwrenching yet Hopeful

I was caught from the beginning. It was a slow kind of story, heartwrenching throughout and yet hopeful in the end. The narration was very good for both of the main characters.

A very special story

Such a unique story, with a depth of emotion that made for a wonderful "listen." Keith Szarabajka did a particularly good job with his character. I didn't want this book to end!

braid of two stories

Author Liz Moore braids together the stories of a challenged teen and a challenged middle-aged man. Good one.

better than you think

enthralling characters, title turns out go be much deeper than appears, and the story is very hard-hitting and richly drawn. bit of slow start, but quickly proves well worth the read. it is read too slowly--using speed up at 2x is much better.

Wow... Just wow.

Would you listen to Heft again? Why?

Once is enough because you won't forget it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The maid.

Which scene was your favorite?

Don't come in. Just call the police.
Omg

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

Bell to bell in one day

Any additional comments?

I love action, sci-fi, thrillers etc. - so this book was not one I thought I would enjoy. Boy was I wrong. This is a beautiful story, it's touching and leaves you feeling sentimental – all the things I don't want in a book – but somehow this one worked all the way. Read it.

Next book club choice l

Touches every emotion, every life circumstance, and every possibility. Such beautiful richness in life's vulnerabilities.

Immersive

Where does Heft rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

among the best, because i was very immersed in the story

What did you like best about this story?

I felt I like I really knew Arthur and Kel as people.

Which scene was your favorite?

Perhaps just a line about something that Charlene said to Arthur about being invisible. Mostly it's interesting to me to see the perspectives of different people vividly brought to life.

Any additional comments?

Interestingly, i didn't feel like very much happened. maybe that is because i am usually listening to thrillers. More than half of it centers around life in a low-income bracket. Loneliness is a central theme. What it is to be human...from Arthur and Kel's perspectives.