She's Come Undone

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of three Oprah Book Club Picks including The River Is Waiting—Wally Lamb takes us on an extraordinary journey of love, pain, and renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years.

“Mine is a story of craving: an unreliable account of lusts and troubles that began, somehow, in 1956 on the day our free television was delivered....”

Meet Dolores Price. She’s thirteen, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Beached like a whale in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally rolls into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she’s determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before really going belly up.

In this extraordinary coming-of-age odyssey, Wally Lamb invites us to hitch a wild ride on a journey of love, pain, and renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years. At once a fragile girl and a hard-edged cynic, so tough to love yet so inimitably lovable, Dolores is as poignantly real as our own imperfections. She’s Come Undone includes a promise: you will never forget Dolores Price.

You owe it to yourself to get this recording

If you could sum up She's Come Undone in three words, what would they be?

"She's Come Undone" is the unlikely story of Delores Price, whose life is repeatedly marked by tragedy, abuse and illness. When she loses control of her life, Delores resists help and trusts no one. But she ultimately discovers a strength she didn't know was inside her. She is not a stereotypical gritty heroine who fights against the odds to get a better life. She is bewildered by the many twists and turns her path takes. In the hands of a less gifted writer this story could have become absurd, but it does not. Delores emerges as an unforgettable character who maneuvers her way through the obstacles she encounters, even when she is unsure where to go. She will stay with me forever.

I am Dolores Price

What made the experience of listening to She's Come Undone the most enjoyable?

After reading (listening to) this story (forcibly Suggested by a friend) I have come to realize that I am indeed Dolores Price - born a few years later - but also Molested and traumatized on several levels. I am currently in my FAT Phase - and Im motivated - and I found as I was Cheering for Delores to allow herself happiness - I realized I TOO was denying myself happiness.

What did you like best about this story?

The Shocking thing to me is that Wally has an amazing ability to take you there - and make it real. You see - Smell and even remember as you listen to this tale. I also appreciate that Wally was able to surprise me and every unexpected turn durring this coming of age story. The only thing I didnt like was the end - or should I say the lack of an ending. So.... can we have a part two?

What about Linda Stephens’s performance did you like?

Her voice has many levels and I kept thinking that toni collette was reading - but at times she sounds much older and others she seems younger??? a great story teller voice!!!

If you could take any character from She's Come Undone out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Dolores Price - is my first choice - I want to get inside her head - My second would be Dante - I want to see what all the fuss was about.

Any additional comments?

Im glad I got this book

Hilarious???

I don't know who ever said this book was funny. It is FAR from funny. But it's oh so good! It shows how one can go from broken and weak and fearful to indomitable. The unlikely friendships, the roller coaster ride of a life, the uncertainty and foolishness and eventual embrace of agency-- that made it worth the read.

Depressing

What did you like best about She's Come Undone? What did you like least?

I kept waiting for something to good to happen to the main character.

What was most disappointing about Wally Lamb’s story?

There was never a climax to the story.

Have you listened to any of Linda Stephens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Do you think She's Come Undone needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

Linda Stephens is an amazing narrator.

This was one of my my fave books to read and I decided to give the audio book a shot. It does not disappoint. Fantastic performance by Linda Stephens.