The Fran Lebowitz Reader

By: Fran Lebowitz

Narrated by: Fran Lebowitz

In the vein of Lebowitz's acclaimed Netflix limited series, Pretend It's a City—The Fran Lebowitz Reader brings together two of the famed author's bestsellers, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies.

In "elegant, finely honed prose" (The Washington Post Book World), Lebowitz limns the vicissitudes of contemporary urban life—its fads, trends, crazes, morals, and fashions. By turns ironic, facetious, deadpan, sarcastic, wry, wisecracking, and waggish, Fran Lebowitz is always wickedly entertaining.

Critic reviews

“A great read.” –Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s Tonight Show

On METROPOLITAN LIFE
"Hilarious...an unlikely and perhaps alarming combination of Mary Hartman and Mary McCarthy.... To a dose of Huck Finn add some Lenny Bruce, Oscar Wilde and Alexis de Tocqueville, a dash of cabdriver, an assortment of puns, minced jargon, and top it off with smarty pants." —The New York Times

"Her humor made me laugh aloud and call friends to read passages to them." —Newsweek

On SOCIAL STUDIES
"Right on the mark.... Among the things she hates this time...baggage-claim areas, high tech, after-shave lotion, adults who roller skate, children who speak French, or anyone who is unduly tan." —Newsweek

"Unique.... Lebowitz offers vocational guides for aspiring heiresses, popes, empresses; manuals for landlords; guidance to the rich who wish to meet the poor." —Vogue

Outdated, but still worth a listen

Any additional comments?

If you're not familiar with the brilliant and funny Fran Lebowitz, this book is a good introduction. In the preface Fran acknowledges that many of her stories are outdated, which they are. The book was written several decades ago. Some stories have remained relevant, others have not. But the chapters are short so less interesting ones pass quickly. I wouldn't recommend that you drop everything and get this book, but I also don't regret having purchased it nor having spent the time to listen.

perfection

In her own wonderful voice, physically and intellectually, she critiques the world of New York and it's people.

Perfection

As a New Yorker who hails from Des Moines and is a woman of letters, if not substantial advances, not to mention a Jewtina, which is for the uninformed a High Femme Latina Jewess, upon listening to this I have my answer to the question, “If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be?” Implied meaning being someone you don’t know. I will now answer Fran Lebowitz. And broke as I am, I’ll pick up the check.

Just love Fran!

I could listen to Fran forever! Her wit and outré humor inspires me. Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fran is a treasure for NYers

Unique quirky & exactly like me (but wittier.) I only wish she performed more, because I have to read her stuff over & over with decent intervals. Often enough to still feel fresh, but not often enough to be fresh. If I could have lunch any 3 people, living or dead, Fran would be one of them.

absolutely the best

unmatched topshelf full-flavored bold taste so so very good you will not be mad ok

Fran Leibowitz where have you been all my life

I discovered Ms Leibowitz on Bill Maher’s podcast. I wish I’d discovered her when this was published. So cynical and insightful. She’s not quite David Sedaris in performance, but I couldn’t imagine a better dry performance for the work.

Excellent

Laughed out loud several times. Anyone who follows writers must hear Fran Lebowitz read this.

You Gotta Love Fran Lebowitz!

. . . and if you do, you'll love this one.

Tales of New York – narrated by Fran.

The voice New York in the 90s

This is wonderful collection of what amount to short quips and observations written in a highly entertaining way. However, even with Ms Lebowitz's rich voice it remains a work far better read on the printed page. After about the 30th short piece that familiar pattern -- which is amusing in the printed work -- begins to become a little annoying.

Still, these pieces are just so wonderful that they certainly surpass most offerings on Audible. In particular the piece on how to tell if your child is a writer is intensely funny.