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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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    3 out of 5 stars

Okay…

The book was good, it was just over very abruptly and left me with so many questions and mixed emotions. I thought the voices were decently matched to the characters, and made it easier to distinguish between the intertwining stories.

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  • Overall
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Disappointed 3.5

This was heartbreakingly sad. While very well written, the ending was sudden with a number of unresolved issues.
This isn’t a bad book and is better than average
If you like books about the suffering of WWII then this is fine
It wasn’t for me. The narrators did OK with the material
I listened to this on 1.3 speed to get it over with sooner

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Marvelous

Touching and funny and full of surprises and superbly narrated. Among my favorite reads in a long time.

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    1 out of 5 stars

I'm surprised by all the great reviews.

This has been by far the worst book I've half read in years. I made it half way before stopping. I was so confused and every bit seemed so random. I kept rewinding thinking I had missed something... This was done for a book club I am in and not a single person liked it. I asked if I had enjoyed it more if I was able to get through the entire thing, thinking perhaps it all tied together for a wow factor and was told no. I would not recommend this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully written and narrated

This story is one of the most tender love stories I’ve ever read. Sometimes I laughed out loud. Other times I cried tears of sadness. I couldn’t wait to hear more but knew also that more meant getting closer and closer to the end. Such a joy.

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

Nice story

The guy performing as Leo Gursky is off the charts

The story is creative and sweet

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Beautiful

I finished listening the first time and immediately began the book again. Ugly sobbed at the end.

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Maybe the best story ever

I first read this book years ago. As soon as I finished it I began again. I suggested it for my book group. It was a hit. Why it never got the attention it deserves is another mystery, like in the book. Maybe those of us who laugh and cry and wonder and rejoice as we read it are in a special world. if so, then I am glad.
Thank you for the lovely narrative ❤️

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Sweet, Romantic Read

Gave me the same feelings that I had after watching the Notebook! It can be a little confusing at the beginning, but it all ties together at the end.

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

Not my cup of tea.

I made it through the first four hours, mostly because of Leo, and my hope that the story would start to go someplace. Have to echo MMinSouthernCA and Jane. I got tired of Leo's ramblings and gave up. I didn't care how great the end might be.

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