Marjorie Morningstar

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 28 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Marjorie Morningstar is a love story. It presents one of the greatest characters in modern fiction: Marjorie, the pretty 17-year-old who left the respectability of New York's Central Park West to join the theater, live in the teeming streets of Greenwich Village, and seek love in the arms of a brilliant, enigmatic writer. In this memorable novel, Herman Wouk, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, has created a story as universal, as sensitive, and as unmistakably authentic as any ever told.

Check out two of the best reviewed titles and biggest customer favorites in our store, Wouk's The Winds of War and War and Remembrance.

©1955 Herman Wouk (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Herman Wouk's Marjorie Morningstar is timeless.... Gabra Zackman has a sweet, warm voice, which she mixes with a seriousness that complements Wouk's prose and dialogue. Zackman's ability to change tone, from high-pitched to deep and feminine to breathless, brings the book and its personalities to life.... With Zackman at the mike, every chapter brings a new reason to continue." (AudioFile)

Unsatisfying and frustrating

I have enjoyed Herman Wouk’s other work, and MM has long been on my “should” read list. The narration is very well performed. However, I found the story itself to be plodding, redundant and somewhat indulgent. I should have followed my gut and quit this one.

Herman Wouk? Really?

I LOVE Herman Wouk. But I'm just going to have to pretend that he didn't write this. It's not dreadful, it's just not in the same category as "Winds of War," "War and Remembrance," or "The Caine Mutiny." It's petty. I don't know if it was the struggle with writing about a woman or what, but this is definitely one Wouk book you can skip. But don't miss the others. They are brilliant.

Timeless coming of age story

At the exhortation of my mother, I attempted to read this novel more than forty years ago, when I was about the same age as its heroine Marjorie Morgenstern. But the trials and tribulations of a Jewish girl in 1935 New York seemed irrelevant to my late 1960s Protestant sensibilities and I didn’t get far. Now I see that I simply lacked the maturity to appreciate the many nuances of this perceptive and eloquent portrait of first love and unrealized ambition. Sure, there are dated elements — like Marjorie’s horror at having to tell her fiancée she is not a virgin — but the author’s grasp of human nature is timeless. Having recently finished Wouk’s two epic wartime masterpieces as well, I am awed by the breadth of his talent. Marjorie Morningstar crackles with witty dialogue, brought to vivid and delightful life by the narrator Gabra Zackman. Highly recommended.

story well told; narration disappointing

Would you try another book from Herman Wouk and/or Gabra Zackman?

By Herman Wouk, yes; by Gabra Zackman, no.

What other book might you compare Marjorie Morningstar to and why?

Can't think of one at the moment.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator's performance of some characters was quite good however the character Marjorie sounded quite flat. Also, even though the voices changed for each character, the narrator said "he said" or "she said" after nearl every statement. It's redundant and makes the story longer than it needs to be. I think the story is longer than it needs to be anyway.

Do you think Marjorie Morningstar needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. Enough is enough.

Not my favorite Herman Wouk

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was worth the time, yes. The story was only good, however. Not as compelling as "War and Rememberance" or "Winds of War," which I truly loved.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have cut down on some of the long winded monologues by the character Noel and I would have added some danger or excitement to the plot. The story moved along, but nothing really happened. Also, Marjorie needed more of a backbone and Noel needed several slaps in the face.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Gabra Zackman?

I wouldn't look for books with her as a narrator, but I wouldn't avoid a book because she was the narrator.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

I was looking for a long story to listen to, and Herman Wouk is one of my favorite authors. This story was long, alright, but long and drawn out. I was glad, and a tad bit disappointed, when I reached the end.

Marjorie Morningstar

What made the experience of listening to Marjorie Morningstar the most enjoyable?

The narration is superb. The narrator distinguishes many different voices consistently which makes the ease of following the story and identifying with the characters, flawless. All the characters are interesting and quirky. The story is engaging.

What other book might you compare Marjorie Morningstar to and why?

Anna Karenina because they are both period pieces and follow the journey of a girl into womanhood.

Which character – as performed by Gabra Zackman – was your favorite?

. I liked Marjorie's mother

Who was the most memorable character of Marjorie Morningstar and why?

The uncle, but I never did understand what his name was.

Any additional comments?

I use audio books when I am exercising. It is the only time I allow myself to listen to the story, so it needs to be interesting, engaging and witty to make me look forward to exercising. This book does the trick for me.

Would probably be better with a different narrator

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Too slow. She read sooo slow. I turned the speed to 1 1/2 and it sounded a little better.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Can't say...I have only listened to a few chapters.

Any additional comments?

Herman Wouk is a fantastic author. I love all his books. This is the first I have listened to. I was very disappointed. Have to say I am sorry I used the credits.

so that's Marjorie Morningstar!

won a Pulitzer. some Great writing here and there. 5 star narrator.
a classic of course

Loved this book as a teenager!

I read this book in high school and fell in love with it. I had forgotten that it was written by Herman Wouk. After finishing Winds of War and War and Remembrance, I was happy to find Marjorie Morningstar. As a teenager I could relate to Marjorie’s infatuation with Noel. The unattainable, charismatic cad. I think these days he might be diagnosed as bipolar. His mood changes were drastic and Marjorie put up with a lot from him.
This book was also made into a movie with Natalie Wood and Gene Kelly.

Who Picks These Readers???

I loved this book when I was a young woman. It is a little old-fashioned but the writing is vintage Wouk. A plain story of a striving girl who knows what she wants, "Marjorie Morningstar" is probably best enjoyed as a printed book.

This audio version is NOT worth the high price. If you still want to purchase it after reading this review, do so with a credit. The reader ends every sentence (not an exaggeration) with a breathy downturn in her voice, as you might if you wanted to make a particularly emotional moment more poignant.

The best readers are those who read as if they have read the text many times before, who know not only what the words are and how to pronounce them, but know what how the particular sentence fits into the paragraph/page/chapter/greater story, too. They emphasize the right words, portray appropriate emotions with changes in their voice, etc. This narrator reads every sentence with the same gravitas, as if every sentence is a pronouncement, a key idea, a highlight. That cheapens every sentence and bores this reader, anyway.

I do not recommend this audio book.