Sample
  • Congratulations, by the Way

  • Some Thoughts on Kindness
  • By: George Saunders
  • Narrated by: George Saunders
  • Length: 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (140 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Congratulations, by the Way  By  cover art

Congratulations, by the Way

By: George Saunders
Narrated by: George Saunders
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $6.75

Buy for $6.75

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

This inspiring meditation on kindness from the author of Lincoln in the Bardo is based on his popular commencement address.

Three months after George Saunders gave a graduation address at Syracuse University, a transcript of that speech was posted on the website of The New York Times, where its simple, uplifting message struck a deep chord. Within days, it had been shared more than one million times. Why? Because Saunders’ words tap in to a desire in all of us to lead kinder, more fulfilling lives.

Powerful, funny, and wise, Congratulations, by the Way is an inspiring message from one of today’s most influential and original writers.

Praise for Congratulations, by the Way

“As slender as a psalm, and as heavy.” (The New York Times)

“The graduating college senior in your life probably just wants money. But if you want to impart some heartfelt, plainspoken wisdom in addition to a check, you can't do much better than [Congratulations, by the Way].” (Entertainment Weekly)

“The loving selflessness that [George Saunders] advises and the interconnectedness that he recognizes couldn’t be purer or simpler - or more challenging.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Warm and tender.” (Publishers Weekly)

©2014 George Saunders (P)2014 Random House Audio

What listeners say about Congratulations, by the Way

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    113
  • 4 Stars
    17
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    97
  • 4 Stars
    14
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    97
  • 4 Stars
    16
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    3
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Speech

This is a great way to introduce yourself to his writing. I've been recommended his books and now I know I'm going to like him as an author.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Too short for a credit!

Terrible that you offer a speech for a whole credit. Should warn people. Now I know to look out for this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Oh, and..

Congrats, by the way!

You’ve just found the best commencement speech there is. I graduated undergraduate school this year. I majored in English, studying creative writing, and it’s a dream of mine to study with Mr. Saunders at Syracuse for my masters.

Throughout my life as a writer, Saunders has taught me more than anybody. About writing, well of course. But moreover, about life.

Humble, approachable, charming, and inarguably authentic, this 12 minutes very likely just saved me 30-40 years of mistakes. I hope you find the same value as I did in it.

-Ezra Robin

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!