The Women

A Novel

By: T. C. Boyle

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 18 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Frank Lloyd Wright's life was one long, howling struggle against the bonds of convention, whether aesthetic, social, moral, or romantic. He never did what was expected, and he never let anything get in the way of his larger-than-life appetites and visions.

Told through the experiences of the four women who loved him, this imaginative account of Wright's raucous life blazes with Boyle's trademark wit and invention. Boyle's protean voice captures these very different women and, in doing so, creates a masterful ode to the creative life in all its complexity and grandeur.

©2009 T. Coraghessan Boyle (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"America's most imaginative contemporary novelist." ( Newsweek)

"One of the most inventive and verbally exuberant writers of his generation." ( New York Times)

“The author is a master storyteller who takes literary license but never loses sight of his subject's humanity. Narrator Grover Gardner has a deep nasal tone that, remarkably, sounds like an old radio broadcaster's voice. This fits the mood of the book perfectly since the story takes place in the 1930s.” ( AudioFile)

Informative

I found the book interesting but very very long. Some of the Women were more developed than the other characters. The narrator was good, but at times I found myself droning.

facinating

If you could sum up The Women in three words, what would they be?

As an admirer of Wright's buildings, I found this book quite fascinating. It did take me a bit to figure out the backwards timeline.

Hated the characters, which means good writing

It is a testament to Boyle's ability to breathe fictional life into these true-life characters--and that I despised one of them so. Like Diane, from VA, I really struggled through the middle section. Miriam Wright was, without a doubt, a detestable, self-centered, sadistic, mentally unstable, and narcissistic woman. Reading aout her attacks on Wright's last misstress was very difficult.

Boyle brings her to such life that I was pretty much cringing throughout her section. I kept thinking, "How could such a brilliant guy get so manipulated?" Then again, all of Wright's own narcissism and ego is on brilliant display.

Not an easy book to read, but, as with all Boyle's work, an accomplishment. If you like your literature on the soft side, don't brave this one. If you are into well-written prose and intricatly depicted (but unpleasant) characters, then go for this one!

Pure Boyle

Another representation of Boyle’s command of the language and his talent for description. Thoroughly researched, he uses history to bring mythical characters to life so well that you wish you had met them all.

interesting but a big time commitment

Wright's relationships with three women are described by a fictitious Japanese intern. It starts with last wife, then second wife and then mistress who dies a tragic death. His first wife and mother of six children is not part of this book. It's very interesting. Lots of insight into Wright's character and life as well as the women who try to make a life with someone of such importance (and narcissism). But I don't think the time commitment to listen to this whole book is worth it. Might be better enjoyed as a book.

wow what a story

narrator was excellent in his ability to make each character's voice distinct. He's a terrific actor.

More about Kitty

I was disappointed that there wasn’t more about his first wife Kitty. I wasn’t crazy about all the information about the narrator’s life. It seemed pointless.

Wow!

Absorbing. Compelling. Fascinating. An intriguing, creative imagining of the audacious, arrogant, and tragic life, loves, and career of a genius most of us only know through the art and aesthetic of his architecture

Confusing...

What disappointed you about The Women?

This story line jumped around too much. Previously listened to the story about Taliesin & second wife. This is jumped into the middle of FLW's life and continued to ping-pong throughout.
Boring—took too long to get into plot. Could not get interested in story; listened for 1 hour and at other points in books and did not get hooked. Have listened to other T C Boyle stories but will not waste $$ on another.

Two women too many

Some inspired prose and shallow characters. When the narrator of the tale is telling his own story and his relationship to "Right-O-San," the novel was sometimes compelling. But what an insult to the ears that the reader didn't bother to attempt the rhythms and cadences of the Japanese language--especially since he was SUPPOSED TO BE JAPANESE. Truly grating to the ears and easily rectified by 10 minutes coaching before recording.

The women became caricatures and if I heard one more "Well, I deserved it, didn't I?" from the characters.... Suffice it to say, two or three hours less of this book would have been ample.