The History of Love

By: Nicole Krauss

Narrated by: George Guidall, Barbara Caruso, Julia Gibson, Andy Paris

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Nicole Krauss' first novel, Man Walks Into a Room, was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Award and her short fiction has been collected in Best American Short Stories. Now The History of Love proves Krauss is among our finest and freshest literary voices.

It has been decades since Leo Gursky first surrendered his heart, then wrote a book about it, at the tender age of 10, and he's been in love with the same person ever since. Leo believes his book is lost to time, but what he doesn't know is, not only has it survived 60 years without him, it has also been an inspiration to others. Fourteen-year-old Alma was even named for a character from the book. When she realizes how deeply the story touched her lonely mother, she embarks on a search for answers.

The History of Love is an imaginative tale of love and loss that is at once funny, mysterious, and deeply passionate.

Don't miss Nicole Krauss and Salman Rushdie at The New Yorker Festival.

©2005 Nicole Krauss (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"An intriguing books-within-a-book narrative....Venturing into Paul Auster territory in her graceful inquiry into the interplay between life and literature, Krauss is winsome, funny, and affecting." (Booklist)
"Writing with tenderness about eccentric characters, [Krauss] uses earthy humor to mask pain and to question the universe. Her distinctive voice is both plangent and wry, and her imagination encompasses many worlds." (Publishers Weekly)
"If for no other reason than the range of voices she has persuasively created, Ms. Krauss would stand out as a prodigious talent....Ms. Krauss's work is illuminated by the warmth and delicacy of her prose." (The New York Times)

A little confusing, very engaging, beautiful...

Would you listen to The History of Love again? Why?

No, only because of the dark, heavy parts of the story - added depth, but not the kind of book I read a second time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The History of Love?

the stories from his childhood, when he had to run and hide.

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

no

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

When he found his love in the US only to realize she had married someone else.

Any additional comments?

I am still a little confused by the end (no spoilers); I liked the story, found it engaging, but the confusing ending left me without closure, neither satisfied nor surprised.

interesting

It was interesting. it took me a while to get how all the characters would come together.

Heartbreaking

The love story is unrequited, but that is only a small part of the story. I feel these stories are really about writers and how they perceive the world around them. Life and death. Death and life. Beginning, middle, and end. A vortex of stories, each could stand alone, and yet they are drawn in together at the end.

Beautiful love story

And reminder of the countless ways lives are intertwined and the joy that brings for me. Every story filled with possibilities!

Heartfelt

I had some trouble getting into this initially but glad I hung in there. What a beautiful story. Melancholy, bittersweet, funny, sad, tragic, and uplifting.

Did not want it to end

Where does The History of Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best Audiobooks I've listened to and I've been listening for years!

What did you like best about this story?

The History of Love is a fresh, innovative story filled with twists and turns, very unique book with lovely writing. Every character in this book will stay with you.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Each individual voice was very well done, great choices for these characters.

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

This book made me laugh and cry and think deeply about my own life.

George Guidall pull it off again!

This is a love story that may require more than one listen to “get” it all but I am glad I listened once. George Guidall is my favorite narrator!

a very good book well read.

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. the characters were well developed and fascinating.

Unique, Beautiful, and Raw, as is Love

A rare find. I find it impossible to describe this book. This is not a Romance, it's the book of Love. If you haven't read it, read it. if you have, really, read it again, there is so much here. I read it several years ago, it stayed with me. This time I listened to the Audible book, and the narators truly expressed the characters. I will read it again .

incredible

love love love it. love. the perfect book and the narrators are amazing. perfect