A Special Providence
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 1,600
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Poet Ocean Vuong’s debut novel is a shattering portrait of a family, a first love, and the redemptive power of storytelling. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late 20s, the letter unearths a family’s history that began before he was born - a history whose epicenter is rooted in Vietnam - and serves as a doorway into parts of his life his mother has never known, all of it leading to an unforgettable revelation.
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Revolutionary Road
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- Narrated by: Mark Bramhall
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 787
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 441
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 437
From the moment of its publication in 1961, Revolutionary Road was hailed as a masterpiece of realistic fiction and as the most evocative portrayal of the opulent desolation of the American suburbs. It's the story of Frank and April Wheeler, a bright, beautiful, and talented couple who have lived on the assumption that greatness is only just around the corner.
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 116
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 116
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Publisher's Summary
Robert Prentice has spent all his life attempting to escape his mother's stifling presence. His mother, Alice, for her part, struggles with her own demons as she attempts to realize her dreams of prosperity and success as a sculptor.
As Robert goes off to fight in Europe, hoping to become his own man, Richard Yates portrays a soldier in the depths of war striving to live up to his heroic ideals. With haunting clarity, Yates crafts an unforgettable portrait of two people who cannot help but hope for more, even as life challenges them both.
As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of Richard Yates' book, you'll also receive an exclusive Jim Atlas interview. This interview – where James Atlas interviews Blake Bailey about the life and work of Richard Yates – begins as soon as the audiobook ends.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- harperlee
- 02-13-16
A Special Providence
Fantastic ! Another masterpiece by Richard Yates, He's a genius.I love his characters all so real.Beautiful storyteller.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JETC
- 02-28-18
A masterpiece
What did you like most about A Special Providence?
The prose of some writers just seems to work when read out loud. All of the Richard Yates audio books I have listened to from Audible have been a pleasure to listen to: I wish there were more. In 'A Special Providence', the performances were particularly superb and the use of a male and female actor to play the two protagonists worked really well. The novel itself is a masterpiece. Overall, this is one of the best audio books I have ever listened to.