Catalina: A Novel

De: Liska Jacobs

Narrado por: Tavia Gilbert

A magnetic, provocative debut novel chronicling a young woman’s downward spiral following the end of an affair

Elsa Fisher is headed for rock bottom. At least, that’s her plan. She has just been fired from MoMA on the heels of an affair with her married boss, and she retreats to Los Angeles to blow her severance package on whatever it takes to numb the pain. Her abandoned crew of college friends (childhood friend Charlotte and her wayward husband, Jared; and Elsa’s ex-husband, Robby) receive her with open arms, and, thinking she’s on vacation, a plan to celebrate their reunion on a booze-soaked sailing trip to Catalina Island.

But Elsa doesn’t want to celebrate. She is lost, lonely, and full of rage, and only wants to sink as low as the drugs and alcohol will take her. On Catalina, her determined unraveling and recklessness expose painful memories and dark desires, putting everyone in the group at risk.

With the creeping menace of Patricia Highsmith and the bender-chic of Bret Easton Ellis, Liska Jacobs brings you inside the mind of an angry, reckless young woman hell-bent on destruction; every page taut with the knowledge that Elsa’s path does not lead to a happy place. Catalina is a compulsive, deliciously dark exploration of beauty, love, and friendship, and the sometimes toxic desires that drive us.

©2017 FSG Originals (P)2017 TalkingBook

Mischaracterized

I found this audiobook in the Psychological Mysteries/Thrillers section... it is neither mysterious nor thrilling, and the psychology is seriously lacking. There is literally no character development in this story - Elsa is just as messy at the beginning of the book as she is at the end, her friend Charlie is shrill and whiny the entire time, her ex Robbie is lovesick, Jared is a drunken idiot, Jane is in a bad relationship, and Tom is odious from start to finish. There's really nothing going on in this story beyond a very superficial look at superficial people, and the disappointing weekend they spend together.

I also didn't enjoy the narrator very much. She sounded like she was doing an impression of Jenna Maroney from 30 Rock the entire time. In particular, the voice she used for Charlie was awful and made me hate the character so much that by the time the drama "peaked", I had absolutely no sympathy.

Sad, dark, feel bad book

What disappointed you about Catalina: A Novel?

Everything. The characters were generally horribly, miserable people.

Which scene was your favorite?

None

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Sadness, anger, disappointment, frustration, more sadness... really just a downer book. One of those that when it is over you think "wow, that is how it ends?" The entire went nowhere except spiraling down...

Any additional comments?

The person reading pronounced several words wrong, but otherwise she did wonderfully!

The worst ever!!!!!

This is a pointless story about a delusional woman constantly popping pills and drinking all because she was fired from her job where she was having an affair with her boss.... horrible plot.... even more horrible the ending... literally no point to this story except rambling on and on... the other characters weren't interesting at all either... I listened hoping it would get better.... it did not... waste of a credit... I'm returning this ... thanks but no thanks..

This was sooooo good

Tavia Gilbert gives great narration for a book that is so well written and so entertaining. Couldn’t stop. Would listen to again.

Tragic and compelling.

Any additional comments?

This book was so beautifully written! A wonderful and heartbreaking story about a woman on a self destructive path. I couldn't stop listening until I got to the end.