Fates and Furies

A Novel

By: Lauren Groff

Narrated by: Will Damron, Julia Whelan

A FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

ONE OF THE ATLANTIC’S GREAT AMERICAN NOVELS OF THE PAST 100 YEARS

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY: THE WASHINGTON POST, NPR, TIME, THE SEATTLE TIMES, MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE, SLATE, LIBRARY JOURNAL, KIRKUS, AND MANY MORE

“Lauren Groff is a writer of rare gifts, and Fates and Furies is an unabashedly ambitious novel that delivers – with comedy, tragedy, well-deployed erudition and unmistakable glimmers of brilliance throughout.” —The New York Times Book Review (cover review)

From the award-winning, New York Times-bestselling author of Florida, Matrix, and the highly-anticipated The Vaster Wilds: an exhilarating novel about marriage, creativity, art, and perception.

Fates and Furies is a literary masterpiece that defies expectation. A dazzling examination of a marriage, it is also a portrait of creative partnership written by one of the best writers of her generation.

Every story has two sides. Every relationship has two perspectives. And sometimes, it turns out, the key to a great marriage is not its truths but its secrets. At the core of this rich, expansive, layered novel, Lauren Groff presents the story of one such marriage over the course of twenty-four years.

At age twenty-two, Lotto and Mathilde are tall, glamorous, madly in love, and destined for greatness. A decade later, their marriage is still the envy of their friends, but with an electric thrill we understand that things are even more complicated and remarkable than they have seemed. With stunning revelations and multiple threads, and in prose that is vibrantly alive and original, Groff delivers a deeply satisfying novel about love, art, creativity, and power that is unlike anything that has come before it. Profound, surprising, propulsive, and emotionally riveting, it stirs both the mind and the heart.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

I highly recommend this book. It's eloquently written, philosophical, and not about marriage, but about who we are and who we say we are/portray. Plus, the narration is above average. You can't help but self-examine.

So, why 3 stars? It's an excellent book but some things grated me, which may not bother others at all. First, too many references to Shakespeare and Greek mythology. I can only take those in small doses. Second, I quickly predicted the major plot twists. Third, were all the tangents necessary? Finally, it reminded me of the feeling I had reading Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee. It's that frustrating and brain-draining sensation when you don't know what is fantasy, never understand why there is a pretense, and feel both pity and anger for the main characters.

All said, well worth the credit.

Good story but too long!

I enjoyed the development of the characters but the sex and drinking and drugs went on and on and became boring. I listened to the book but would have put it down if I had been reading it.

Life

This story was somber and real. It demonstrated beauty and love. Lies and fear. Self proclaimed successes and failures. Life. I liked the narration, it kept me on track.

An artists ear

As a painter sees the details that create a perfect picture, Lauren Groff creates a world of exquisitely composed words. Rarely have I listened to such beautiful language !

Slow Building and then....Totally Engrossing!

Excellent story! Starts a little slow but packed with parts of the story you will reference throughout the book!
outstanding character descriptions. The story highlights that there is no logic when it comes to the heart.