• Guts

  • The Endless Follies and Tiny Triumphs of a Giant Disaster
  • By: Kristen Johnston
  • Narrated by: Kristen Johnston
  • Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,923 ratings)

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Guts  By  cover art

Guts

By: Kristen Johnston
Narrated by: Kristen Johnston
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Publisher's summary

"It felt like I was speeding on the Autobahn toward hell, trapped inside a DeLorean with no brakes. And even if I could somehow stop, I'd still be screwed, because there's no way I'd ever be able to figure out how to open those insane, cocaine-designed doors."

The two-time Emmy Award-winning actress has written her first book, a surprisingly raw and triumphant memoir that is outrageous, moving, sweet, tragic, and heartbreakingly honest. Guts is a true triumph - a memoir that manages to be as frank and revealing as Augusten Burroughs, yet as hilarious and witty as David Sedaris.

With Guts, Johnston takes us on a journey so truthful and relatable, so remarkably fresh, it promises to stay with the listener for a long, long time.

©2012 Kristen Johnston (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about Guts

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    1,388
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Whiskey and cigarettes have never sounded so good.

Or so smart and sexy.

Kristen Johnston's voice is one that I could listen to for hours on end. As soon as I sampled this audiobook, I knew I had to get it. But as a serious and responsible adult, I passed it by for a few months to purchase the tofu and vegetables of my normal purchases - business, physics and philosophy etc.

After one of my crappiest days in a long time, I decided it was time for an audiobook version of a cheeseburger, fries and a large chocolate shake. I immediately downloaded Guts and began listening.

Oh no! This is so good and only four and a third hours long! I was captured by Kristen and her book in the first few seconds. This woman is smart as a whip, charming, funny and so expressive. It's a joy to listen to her performance.

But performance doesn't really capture it - it's really an intimate conversation she has with us. Her voices were spot on and so entertaining. And boy can she write and tell a great story.

This is a celebrity book, and an addiction book, but it is so much more - Guts is a very human story of a brave and good person. I found it very inspiring and so sweet, but very strong at the same time.

Now Kristen - a small request - please write and perform more. I need more of this stuff - the world needs more of this. If you really want to get inspired Kristen, you could download The Complete Essays of Montaigne, the great essayist from the 16th century. I think you have the potential to be a great and entertaining essayist too. I could so listen to 49 hours and 39 minutes more of Kristen Johnston.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to listening to Guts again with my wife on a road trip next weekend. This is why I subscribe to Audible. Kudos to everyone and I mean everyone involved - you too Schultz. Readers and listeners will understand.

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42 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Should win awards for best audiobook performance

What made the experience of listening to Guts the most enjoyable?

I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and never bothered to review one, but this is one of the best performed audiobooks that I've come across. After listening to this, I would listen to any audiobook performed by Kristen Johnston and her

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kristen Johnston. But Nurse Wretched is a close second. Followed by Mr. James.

Which scene was your favorite?

Anything in the hospital. Who knew peritonitis in the public ward of a London hospital could be so funny. I also like 'bloated has-been' and 'ice cubes.'

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and I did.

Any additional comments?

Just that she is the kind of reader who really voices all the characters and I appreciate how much craft went into this audiobook. The fact that she wrote it too is pretty incredible.

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29 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Raw and funny

I really liked it. It's a little short but i think it's worth a credit. She doesn't pull any punches and takes ownership of her wild choices. Over all a good listen. caution; lots of talk about drug use.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

What a Pisser

I loved this autobiography. Ms. Johnston's account of her life is funny, naked and yes... gutsy.
Others reviewers have said it all, so I won't go on...but I'm really glad I listened to this book. SUPER FUNNY!!!!!!! And dear in a weird way too.
It's a YES from me.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Could not stop listening

What made the experience of listening to Guts the most enjoyable?

Kristen tells her story so well you find your self laughing at points that should make you cringe or shake your head.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Guts?

When her incident happens in the London apartment

What does Kristen Johnston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

No one else can tell someone's story like the they can.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

We are all addicts in our own way.

Any additional comments?

Kristen tells it like it is and that is great. She makes no excuses for what happen and that is refreshing for once to hear someone take responsibility for their own actions.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bold, Honest, and Unbelievably Moving

What made the experience of listening to Guts the most enjoyable?

Kristen's conversational reading of the book was outstanding. I felt as if she were telling me the story, personally, over several cups of coffee.

What did you like best about this story?

This story is the most honest accounts of addiction and its effects. Even before finishing the book, I recommended it to all of my friends.

Which character – as performed by Kristen Johnston – was your favorite?

I enjoyed all characterizations. The various english accents were especially amusing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. I finished it in 2 sittings.

Any additional comments?

Kudos to Kristen for this raw, honest story. Thank you for not keeping silent.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I loved every second of listening to her tell her story. She is funny and a great writer! I very much hope she writes another book!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Please Please Please, Kristen, do more audios

She is the best reader I have ever heard in my many years of Audible membership. I really hope she reads other books for us.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good, but hoped for a little more

Would you try another book from Kristen Johnston and/or Kristen Johnston?

Yes, definitely - loved the conversational style

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It just kind of ended, a little on the "sell out" side, but okay.

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

No, this the the first one and I look forward to more

Did Guts inspire you to do anything?

Didn't specifically inspire me, but I enjoyed her story and experience

Any additional comments?

Liked it, but wished it went a little a little deeper, perhaps I am shallow, but I kind of wanted more dirt. Worthwhile purchase though.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hilarious, moving, fantastic!

Kristen had me in the first few sentences. It was interesting, moving, and sometimes so hilarious at how she described some events I was actually laughing out loud while my cat stared at me in bewilderment. Great read and thank you for sharing your story.

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3 people found this helpful