Either/Or

De: Elif Batuman

Narrado por: Elif Batuman

An instant New York Times bestseller!

A New York Times Notable Book of 2022

“Batuman has a gift for making the universe seem, somehow, like the benevolent and witty literary seminar you wish it were . . .This novel wins you over in a million micro-observations.” —The New York Times

“Batuman is a genius, rendering human folly at its most colorful and borderline surreal.” —Vogue

From the acclaimed and bestselling author of The Idiot, the continuation of beloved protagonist Selin’s quest for self-knowledge, as she travels abroad and tests the limits of her newfound adulthood

Selin is the luckiest person in her family: the only one who was born in America and got to go to Harvard. Now it’s sophomore year, 1996, and Selin knows she has to make it count. The first order of business: to figure out the meaning of everything that happened over the summer. Why did Selin’s elusive crush, Ivan, find her that job in the Hungarian countryside? What was up with all those other people in the Hungarian countryside? Why is Ivan’s weird ex-girlfriend now trying to get in touch with Selin? On the plus side, it feels like the plot of an exciting novel. On the other hand, why do so many novels have crazy abandoned women in them? How does one live a life as interesting as a novel—a life worthy of becoming a novel—without becoming a crazy abandoned woman oneself?

Guided by her literature syllabus and by her more worldly and confident peers, Selin reaches certain conclusions about the universal importance of parties, alcohol, and sex, and resolves to execute them in practice—no matter what the cost. Next on the list: international travel.

Unfolding with the propulsive logic and intensity of youth, Either/Or is a landmark novel by one of our most brilliant writers. Hilarious, revelatory, and unforgettable, its gripping narrative will confront you with searching questions that persist long after the last page.

I loved it!

It’s all just perfect! Every time I listen to a great audiobook I cannot imagine having read it instead. This book is more powerful and enjoyable because of the narration.

One of my favorites

I just loved this whole book. It felt like I was laughing out loud every other page—even the parts about depression, bad sex, and academia-induced-existentialism. The kind of laughter you’d share with your younger self, if you could go back and talk to her amidst the angst of self-discovery. (And tell her that, yes, we ARE an idiot, but it’s going to be ok.)

I look forward to reading everything Elif Batuman writes.

Excellent. Also hilarious.

I thought this book was very interesting. It was also the funniest book I have read in a long time.

Intelligence is not always an advantage

This was sad humor wrapped in the struggle of a woman who, though she is intelligent, seems to know so little about herself or those around her. Her life lessons are weird and she isn't smart enough to learn from them. She ends up in Russia ill prepared.

Unexpected Pleasure

Leif Bateman’s writer’s voice is authentic, intelligent, unique and totally relatable. What a joy to listen to Either/Or.