The Awkward Age

A Novel

By: Francesca Segal

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A wry, tender novel about an ordinary family facing extraordinary choices.

Julia Alden has fallen deeply, unexpectedly in love. American obstetrician James is everything she didn't know she wanted - if only her teenage daughter, Gwen, didn't hate him so much. Uniting two households is never easy, but when Gwen turns for comfort to James's 17-year-old son, Nathan, the consequences will test her mother's loyalty and threaten all their fragile new happiness.

This is a moving and powerful novel about the modern family: about starting over; about love, guilt, and generosity; about building something beautiful amid the mess and complexity of what came before. It is a story about standing by the ones we love, even while they make mistakes. We would give anything to make our children happy. But how much should they ask?

©2017 Francesca Segal (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] spry and accomplished comedy of manners…the prose suggests…a sense of fingers running lightly across black and white keys, playing the notes of familial discord with impeccable harmony and precision.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“This page-turner is witty, compassionate and wickedly astute.” (People)

"A very smart, soulful, compelling, elegantly written domestic novel about a wedged-together family, and what can go wrong when teenage children decide they have minds (and hormones) of their own." (Nick Hornby for The Guardian)

Could not empathize with any of the characters...

Awkward age indeed!! At times I felt physical pain from one awkwardly aged teenage girl whose antics the story revolves around. Saved only by the brilliance of Jane Entwistle, if it wasn't for her I don't think I would have reached the end.

Great writing, furiously idiotic characters

This book certainly gave me a lot to think about and wishing that I could process it with other readers! Well written. As a counselor, I was maddened by the fact that the main characters thought it was ok to still live together after finding out that their children were messing around. And then to be shocked that they got pregnant! Really? How stupid and self centered can you be? Just move out! But that is beside the point. I definitely want to read another book by the author. I recommend this book.

Wish I had an endless supply of books like this!

Here is a book that pulled me right in and kept me under its many layered- quilts until the end.
I felt like I knew the characters intimately. No question their struggles had been mine and their decisions achingly difficult for me at some point. Finally, a reader who knows what she’s doing. .. such a responsibility to get the voices and inflection and tone correct! I will miss this book and reader... and will return to this book again... after I recover from the first, tender and heartbreaking read. Thank you to all.. author, reader, and audible.

Just Blah

What disappointed you about The Awkward Age?

I selected this book after seeing the title on a summer reading list. You know, a list of books that are light and fun and easy to slide into and escape. This was my first audio book download, it was on a summer reads list and I thought, "This is going to be fun. Even if it's fluffy, it'll be fun." Boy, was I wrong. The story began promisingly enough, but it wasn't long until it was upsetting me (and I'm not fragile). Without giving away the plot, there was a serious lack of parenting happening. Lack of conversation, lack of thinking, lack of reality checking... it just became stupid. And annoying. Top this with a narrator who was trying to give each character a distinct voice - but did so in a way that didn't suit them. Too young, too old, too gruff, too whiny, too.... they were all too something. I can't believe that I still listened to the whole thing. Wish I'd turned it off, deleted and found something new.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I may listen to a biography or something totally different in terms of genre.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jayne Entwistle’s performances?

Not likely

What character would you cut from The Awkward Age?

The daughter. Not sure that would be enough, though.

Any additional comments?

Skip it