• The Fran Lebowitz Reader

  • By: Fran Lebowitz
  • Narrated by: Fran Lebowitz
  • Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (369 ratings)

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The Fran Lebowitz Reader  By  cover art

The Fran Lebowitz Reader

By: Fran Lebowitz
Narrated by: Fran Lebowitz
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Publisher's summary

In the vein of Lebowitz's acclaimed Netflix limited series, Pretend It's a CityThe 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.

©1994 Fran Lebowitz (P)2012 Random House Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Fran Lebowitz Reader

Average customer ratings
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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

Wonderful in her own voice.

My daughter read this and gave up less that half way through. I think you have to hear her deliver her own prose. She is a master. I adore her. I get her humor even though I'm not a New Yorker but I am an ex smoker. She makes me laugh out loud. She writes very well-although I understand she had a long period of writer's block. Until I read this I thought she was famous just for being all over the social pages of Vanity Fair. I hope she writes and narrates more for 'our listening pleasure'.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

I've been a devoted fan and avid reader of Fran for years but honestly have no idea what this was supposed to be.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Boring.

Fran Lebowitz is a smart and witty person. This book is her biggest joke. It is awful. I understand the challenge of writing a book. I could never do it. But if you can’t do it, don’t. Chapters of one-liners one after the other was mind-numbing. Ms. Lebowitz will find inspiration again and I hope she waits until then to publish.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Her Writer's Voice Matches Her Speaking Voice

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

Lebowitz's dry wit coupled with her dry delivery create an unforgettable entertainment experience. She's a joy to read; she's a joy to hear. She alone can breath the necessary rhythm into her words.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fran Lebowitz Reader?

The entire listening experience is memorable.

Which character – as performed by Fran Lebowitz – was your favorite?

It's autobiographical.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely Hysterical

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fran Lebowitz Reader to be better than the print version?

They're equal.

Any additional comments?

One of the most diverting and unbelievably witty collections of her best. Will be listening to it for a third time soon. Fran Lebowitz has a keen, satirical look on society that is universal. I sum it up with this. “Do not allow children to mix drinks. It is unseemly and they use too much vermouth.”

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Acid, sarcastic and ironic amd brutally honest

I couldn't start the year with a better book. I never heard from Fran before Netflix and It was unexpected and really well written. Fran's unique view built a classic for sure.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fran will make you laugh

I love friendly but with. it's like having her in the room. you will literally laugh out loud on some of them. highly recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful