Remedy for Love

By: Bill Roorbach

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

They’re calling it the "Storm of the Century", so Eric stops at the market for provisions on his way home from work. But when the unkempt and seemingly unstable young woman in front of him in line comes up short on cash, charity takes hold of his heart - 20 bucks and a ride home is the least he can do under the circumstances.

The trouble is, Danielle doesn’t really have a home. She’s squatting in a cabin deep in the woods with no electricity, no heat, and nothing but the nearby river to sustain her. Eric tries to walk away, but she’s his problem now - what if something happens to her? Would it be on his conscience? She’ll need food, water, firewood, and that’s just to get her through the storm - there’s a whole Maine winter ahead. She clearly doesn’t realize the trouble she’s in. But neither does Eric; the snow is coming down with historic speed and violence.

After Eric gets Danielle set up, he trudges back to the road to retrieve his car, only to find it has been towed ahead of the expected plows - with his cell phone inside. He has no choice but to return to the cabin. As the snow keeps mounting and drifting, they’re forced to ride out the storm together, for better and for worse.

Intensely moving and frequently funny, The Remedy for Love is a harrowing story about the truths we reveal when there is no time or space for artifice.

©2014 Bill Roorbach. Recorded by arrangement with Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing Company, Inc. (P)2014 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Loved it

This book is so moving and grips you right from the beginning. Don't be fooled by the title, this is no "chic lit" romance. How two people, as different as night and day can come together in tragedy and at the edge of a life and death situation and find common ground. Danielle with her acerbic tongue and crass demeanor but only hiding, protectively an intelligent wit and practical approach to life. Eric, on the other hand is kind but insecure. He is the opposite of the "bad boy" that a lot of women find appealing. He is genuine in a very innocent way. Ironically, he is a lawyer which seems to be something that causes him internal conflict in his life. He, the together guy, is actually quite lost and drifting. Danielle, who is wretchedly forgotten and abandoned is confident and will take no crap. Although there is an element of sexual tension between the two, the central theme in this book is survival. Not just the basic necessities (food, water, shelter) but humanity and love (not necessarily romantic but love that comes from having value and feeling worthy of life). Fantastic book. Would have liked to know what happens next but I think a second part could possibly ruin the impact of this books and its characters in that they and their situation is so thought provoking.

Hard to Put Down

Where does Remedy for Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Remedy for Love ranks the top 7 books I have heard.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Danielle / Innis is my favorite. She is complicated and the narrative of her mental condition is compelling and intriguing. It is presented through stream of consciousness of the protagonist / navy veteran / attorney Eric

What does Jeffrey Kafer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The rhythm and cadence of the hip-hop dialogue along with the ability to present stream of consciousness clearly and coherently.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love reeks until it doesn't

Any additional comments?

Unexpectedly compelling

Can you save yourself by saving another?

The answer the text offers may be unclear, but the text continues to pose the question as Eric, who may not even know he needs saving, helps out a young girl whose needs are greater than he could have imagined.

Roorbach' writing style and ability to create drama here really shine. It is clipped, taut and continues to surprise.

My only wish is that Roorbach who has the chops to read his own work would've been the full voice of the text.

I am not a fan of the character driven novel.

But this one is an exception. Maybe it was because I was listening to it on the coldest day of the winter, but the realistic descriptions of the blizzard had me walking around the house in a coat. The characters driving this novel are memorable, unique and drawn with detail. Although I could anticipate where the story was going, I was holding on with all my might while I got there constantly questioning whether I was correct. I highly recommend this novel. It is not your every day read.

Just Kept Wandering Around and Around

Remember those books written in the 60's and 70's; 80 percent of the story going on in the head of the protagonist. What action or dialogue there might be would be the same thing over and over again. By the end of the book I was hoping that the two protagonists wouldn't make it out of the storm alive. Which was a shame I like the concept of strangers thrown together by disaster; and other than her inexplicable mood changes and fits of temper the female protagonist of the book was inspired. The male protagonist extremely disappointing, he projected an image about as heroic as that of Flounder in Animal House. Though admittedly his actions were courageous if not always competent.
This might be the most disappointed I've been with any selection of Audible fiction. The setting pulled me in and convinced me to purchase the audio book. Then the slow pace of the narrative and the repetitive nature of both action and dialogue delivered practically nothing but the setting..

I know this is fiction.....but really?

Yes, this is fiction, but.......
She appears needy and homeless.....
He helps her pay for the groceries......
He drives her home with the groceries in a raging snowstorm......really?
Then chops wood for her.....really?
Then brings her his own groceries.....really?
Then his car gets towed.....come on!!! Enough for me!
Unfortunately failed to hit the mark....not believable enough to stay interested....Bailed on this one!

Painful and confusing

I choose this book partly because I'm a big fan of voice actor Jeffrey Kafer. I won't listen to one of his performances without reading the book summary, though. The publisher's summary sold me with this line: Intensely moving and frequently funny, The Remedy for Love is a harrowing story about the truths we reveal when there is no time or space for artifice.

That's not the book I heard. Not funny. Not moving except for about 90 seconds very late in the story. Mentally imbalanced woman contributes to "harrowing" I guess. It just went on and on.

I'd better stick to the action-y romances.