Dear Edward

A Novel

By: Ann Napolitano

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • “Make sure you have tissues handy when you read [this] sure-footed tearjerker” (NPR) about a young boy who must learn to go on after surviving tragedy, from the author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick Hello Beautiful.

Now streaming as an Apple TV+ series starring Connie Britton, written and executive produced by Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights and Parenthood)

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Parade, LibraryReads

What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live?

One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them are a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured veteran returning from Afghanistan, a business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. Halfway across the country, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.

Edward’s story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a part of himself has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery—one that will lead him to the answers of some of life’s most profound questions: When you’ve lost everything, how do you find the strength to put one foot in front of the other? How do you learn to feel safe again? How do you find meaning in your life?

Dear Edward is at once a transcendent coming-of-age story, a multidimensional portrait of an unforgettable cast of characters, and a breathtaking illustration of all the ways a broken heart learns to love again.

Praise for Dear Edward

“Dear Edward is that rare book that breaks your heart and stitches it back together during a reading experience that leaves you profoundly altered for the better.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Mad Honey

“Will lead you toward something wonderous, something profound.”—Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Now Is Not the Time to Panic

©2020 Ann Napolitano (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A surprisingly uplifting story, full of hope and dry humor, with an underlying, noncloying message about the decency of strangers.”—The New York Times Book Review

“A harrowing yet ultimately optimistic story about the sole survivor of a plane crash.”—O: The Oprah Magazine

“A haunting novel that’s a masterful study in suspense, grief and survival . . . Napolitano’s fearless examination of what took place models a way forward for all of us. She takes care not to sensationalize, presenting even the most harrowing scenes in graceful, understated prose, and gives us a powerful book about living a meaningful life during the most difficult of times.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

Stunning characterization and compelling storytelling!

This story will have you by the heartstrings immediately. The level that the author developed with not only the main character, Edward, but several individuals on the flight and those that surrounded him afterward take you into the different emotional levels of such an intense and impactful event. Not since Wally Lamb, have I encountered writing so intensely raw and personal that seems effortless! And Cassandra Campbell is an excellent narrator!

Pretty Good

Cassandra Campbell is one of my favorite narrators so it's not at all surprising to me that she did a great job reading this story. There was quite a bit of hype in my online reading club, so I guess my expectations were high for Dear Edward. It certainly wasn't bad, and I liked Edward, for the most part, but really he didn't reveal himself enough to make me fall in love with him as a character. I don't really understand all the rave reviews. I liked the novel, but did not love it. It was pretty good, but not one high on my "must recommend" to friends list.

Deeply satisfying intersection of science and human emotion

It is such a unique experience to read this book a we are emerging from a global pandemic. The exploration of the deep growth that can occur after utter destruction (emotional or physical) is such a rich experience.

At first I feared that it would be a melodramatic telling of a coming of age, post tragedy. But the accuracy of and adherence to aeronautics and flight behavior gave it the gravity that it required.

Also, the weaving in of class and racial dynamics, especially as they pertain America, really highlighted the complexity of the human experience.

I thought it was thought provoking, sometimes disconcerting, heart-warming and totally satisfying. Beautifully written.

I feel compelled to thank the author. Edward and his full circle moment will sit with me for quite a while.

Interesting listen

I finished this book and found it to be okay. I can't say I would recommend it but it wasn't terrible either. just okay

Loved it!!

Loved, loved, loved this book! There will be laughter amongst tears. I listened via Audible and one of my favorite narrators, Cassandra Campbell, did an excellent job! Cannot wait to see what’s next from this author as she has hinted of a new book with Shay and Edward!!

Good story but...

Narration is too s—l—o—w. I listened at 1.25 speed to make it bearable. I blame the director since I’ve listened to many other books by this narrator that have been excellent.

Great story

I loved it! for a sad start, it is a very uplifting story with true encouragement and heartwarming!!

slow at first

very interesting subject, well written, but plot was very weak. no arc to the story.

Excellent read!

Even though the subject of this book about losing your loved ones, the writer makes up for with an inspiring will to live.

inspiring

I loved this book so much. I will not forget these characters for a very long time.