Thirteen Reasons Why

By: Jay Asher

Narrated by: Debra Wiseman, Joel Johnstone

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush, who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice explains that there are 13 reasons she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why.

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself - a truth he never wanted to face.

©2007 Jay Asher (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

“[Hannah’s] pain is gut-wrenchingly palpable.... Asher has created an entrancing character study and a riveting look into the psyche of someone who would make this unfortunate choice. A brilliant and mesmerizing debut from a gifted new author.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review and Editor’s Choice)

“Heavy but compelling.... Asher’s novel asks us to look at how petty cruelty can deal crushing blows.” (Miami Herald)

“It is a brilliant debut that will leave readers feeling a sense of remorse for Hannah, guilt for Clay, and hope for the lasting lesson of the story.” (Bookazine)

I loved it!!!

The narrators were exceptional, it made me cry a lot! Definetely buy it! It is very worth your credits and money!

The show was better

I picked up this audiobook after falling in love with the Netflix series. It's a good book, and the performances on this audiobook are stunning - really, beautifully voice acted. But not as satisfying or as deep as the series.

a must read!

i loved it! i cried after finishing it! I really feel sorry for Hanna. performance is great and the story is very well written.

This book should be read by teens and parents. An eye ope ner to many.

Quick review

I listened to the book after watching the series. I must say I liked both, each it's own positive and negative points. In the book the story is more condensed, but was very nice to listen to.

I had to get used to Joel's voice after watching the series, but after a while both narrators were very natural to listen to.

Heartbreakingly Fascinating

I read this in less than 24 hours. The book was gripping. I could not stop listening. I could feel just how confused and heartbroken Clay and Hannah was. I wish there was more to read. I'll definitely read more from this author!

young voice but important for parents to listen

the narration was pretty good. the story has a teenager perspective but I think the message is a reminder to parents and caregivers of the teenager capability to overcome bullying.

Great moral, storytelling gets there by the end.

A definite moral and a needed subject, but not quite as deep as I expected from some of the reviews about the tv version. I never looked into the tv thing, so I have no idea if that's a different take. I kept thinking that I would have been much more moved by this at middle school age, partly because some imagination is needed to make certain bits meaningful. It's the way it's written, I still enjoy young adult books today but they have a bit more to really capture me. Then again, I may have been quite depressed by this at middle school age, not sure.

Great listen!

Definitely recommend...especially for teenagers/young adults for self reflection purposes. Great for parents as an insight to their world.

Excellent Story!

I absolutely LOVED this audiobook and story. The writer had the ability to make you FEEL the pain and isolation the character experiences. Definitely recommend!

Eye opener

It was hard to believe that highschool students were talking and thinking like this. It was funny when it needed to be and creative. The plot was well put together but the ending left me a little upset because it just needed more substance. Overall though I enjoyed this book!