Elsewhere

By: Gabrielle Zevin

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It's quiet and peaceful. You can't get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere's museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe's psychiatric practice.

Elsewhere is where 15-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn 16, not 14 again. She wants to get her driver's license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she's dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn't want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward? This moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

©2005 Gabrielle Zevin (P)2005 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fascinating. Zevin, in her first novel for young people, bends the laws of physics and biology to create an intricately imagined world." (Publishers Weekly)

Great for a Pre-teen that you know....

I purchased this book because I'd enjoyed "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry". I suffered through "Elsewhere" because it's too juvenile for me. Nice storyline. The kid reading it does a good job (if she's a kid) but without a doubt, this is not for anyone over 30. *Yawn*

A tad screechy but wonderful story

I love this book, was one of my favorites when i was younger so i decided to give it another go after years and years. Story still holds up,great writing. Zevin is so talented. However, i loathed the narrator. High pitched and annoying sounding voice. Other than that, it was lovely

Sweet, original take on the Afterlife

The author does a great job of capturing adolescent angst in her characterization of Lizzie. Supporting characters are all loveable and the plot has a few unexpected moments. I think she missteps near the finish when the characters suddenly act their age in Elsewhere as they re-enter young childhood. This disrupts the prevailing tendancy throughout all that occurs before. Very heartwarming and more than a little thought-provoking on questions regarding aging, a life well-lived, second chances and the definition and purpose of death. I love Cassandra Morrison but wish she had varied her reading to match the genders, ages and attitudes of the characters. instead, her voice only slightly varies whether she is "speaking K9," a middle-aged woman, or a toddler.

Love it.

I read this book back in 2006 or 2007. I remember loving the book. I really enjoyed it and have thought back to it often. Including after the passing of my grandfather in 2009 and again in 2017. I decided it was time to reread the book, and the audio book seemed like the right way for me. It was just as awesome as I remember it! I highly recommend it. Even for adults

Great Book, Great Performance!

I thought that Cassandra Morris did a great job reading this title. Her voice was really suited to the material. I also thought it was a great book -- really hopeful and well written -- a great book to discuss for young and old.

A journey to Elsewhere, a mysterious afterlife

I have loved this book since I was a teenager. It changed my perspective on the afterlife and definitely to this day brings me along same journey in my mind. The universe is endless, therefore the possibilities of what the afterlife could be are endless. This book takes you on a trip with several loveable characters and I just love a book that makes you think. Definitely worth a read or listen for any teenagers out there who love the topic of afterlife and alternate universes. Or young adults. Anyone, really.

Very enjoyable story

The whole story had a melancholy tone to it in my opinion but it is well written and read well and has good characters.

A great read

I read this book when I was just a kid, probably eleven years old and I always remembered it and named it as my favorite book for years into middle school. It’s been over ten years now since then and thought it would be nostalgic to listen to it. I was captivated the whole time! It definitely is directed towards a younger audience but it’s very well written and descriptive that even as an adult now I thoroughly enjoyed the entire story. Thank you Gabrielle for a wonderful and interesting idea about the afterlife, the characters she creates are so lovable and I felt very moved throughout the entire novel.

Should be a movie! 🎬📽

Extremely creative and very well written this little gem just happened to catch my eye while browsing one day. Normally I'm not a YA listener, but the summary was so interesting I gave it a chance. I'm glad I did. I'm a big fan of oddball movies "Tim Burton type stuff" so this was right up my alley because it had that vibe. I wonder if Beatle Juice was a inspiration for this book lol. I felt like Elsewhere was somewhat on target with the new age beliefs on death which I personally liked.
I love the imaginary world Gabrielle created with talking animals. And the realism of how it must feel after dying. Leaving our previous life & loved one's behind will certainly be the hardest part of learning to live in spirit form.
The narration was perfect!! I don't think Cassandra could have gave a better performance. This book really held my interest and I highly recommend it 👍

Heaven Explained.

Heaven Explained. Wonderful Adventure. Motto: Enjoy the life you have been given. Then move on.