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The History of Love  By  cover art

The History of Love

By: Nicole Krauss
Narrated by: George Guidall, Barbara Caruso, Julia Gibson, Andy Paris
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Publisher's summary

Nicole Krauss' first novel, Man Walks Into a Room, was shortlisted for the Los Angeles Times Book Award and her short fiction has been collected in Best American Short Stories. Now The History of Love proves Krauss is among our finest and freshest literary voices.

It has been decades since Leo Gursky first surrendered his heart, then wrote a book about it, at the tender age of 10, and he's been in love with the same person ever since. Leo believes his book is lost to time, but what he doesn't know is, not only has it survived 60 years without him, it has also been an inspiration to others. Fourteen-year-old Alma was even named for a character from the book. When she realizes how deeply the story touched her lonely mother, she embarks on a search for answers.

The History of Love is an imaginative tale of love and loss that is at once funny, mysterious, and deeply passionate.

Don't miss Nicole Krauss and Salman Rushdie at The New Yorker Festival.
©2005 Nicole Krauss (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"An intriguing books-within-a-book narrative....Venturing into Paul Auster territory in her graceful inquiry into the interplay between life and literature, Krauss is winsome, funny, and affecting." (Booklist)
"Writing with tenderness about eccentric characters, [Krauss] uses earthy humor to mask pain and to question the universe. Her distinctive voice is both plangent and wry, and her imagination encompasses many worlds." (Publishers Weekly)
"If for no other reason than the range of voices she has persuasively created, Ms. Krauss would stand out as a prodigious talent....Ms. Krauss's work is illuminated by the warmth and delicacy of her prose." (The New York Times)

Featured Article: 15 Essential Jewish Authors to Hear in Audio


The Jewish diaspora is vast, diverse, and full of stories. In recent years, Jewish authors have published books about everything from love, identity, and history to crime, romance, and what it means to come of age in the modern world. While this list is by no means complete, these 15 Jewish authors have written some of the most fascinating Jewish literature, and they represent a deep catalog of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in a range of genres.

What listeners say about The History of Love

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Breathtaking

Every so often, a book comes around that changes and moves you, and proves how powerful literature can be. Nicole Krauss' writing is so beautiful that I wished I had the written book in front of me so I could read her words over and over again. An incredible and intriguing story with probably the most powerful ending I have ever ever read. The narration is so well done, they have truly captured the essence of this gorgeous book. I had tears in my eyes when I went to buy this book for my family. Devastatingly beautiful.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Complex

I will need to listen to this book a second time to more completely understand it. While I thought the characters were described beautifully and easy to visualize, I questioned multiple times which person I was learning about at a particular time and place. I understand that was part of the mystery of the book, but I did have trouble following the back and forth in time and place. I loved this descriptive sentence: "The soft down of your white hair lightly playing about your scalp like a half-blown dandelion."

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The rare 5 star

I don't often give books the highest rating, but this one deserves that and more. The story, convoluted as it is, absorbs then squeezes out the reader's imagination. Understanding one minute, thrown into confusion the next. Like love itself. The story ranks right up there with Jose Saramago's "All the Names" for amazing dialog and depth.

I didn't think I'd like listening to so many voices, but I loved it.Fabulous recording.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning. Beautifully written. Moving

What is extraordinary and magical in each character shows through the most quotidian and mundane acts of living. This book is beautifully written. Some sentences are so moving I would some times have to stop reading and stay silent for a moment. The tale is great but the telling of it is magnificent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

heartwarming

loved it great story intriguing only understood it in the last chapter where it came together

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Loved the male voice

The male voice and story was exceptionally powerful. The females was less so.

I came to dislike the girl's sections

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning...

I cried... just wonderful... be patient... you will be rewarded. the Audible performance was superb.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gorgeous

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I reread it immediately upon finishing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Audio Book

I will keep this book in my library to listen to again and again. I was immediately pulled into the story by the great narration and interesting characters. I had no idea where the story was going or how it would end and just enjoyed every word and wished it would continue beyond the last page.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • L
  • 03-07-15

Good Read!

What did you like best about The History of Love? What did you like least?

I love the way the story is told through multiple perspectives linked together by one book. The story is simultaneously triumphant and heartbreaking.

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