The Irresistible Henry House

A Novel

By: Lisa Grunwald

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

It is the middle of the 20th century, and in a home economics program at a prominent university, real babies are being used to teach mothering skills to young women. For a young man raised in these unlikely circumstances, finding real love and learning to trust will prove to be the work of a lifetime. In this captivating novel, bestselling author Lisa Grunwald gives us the sweeping tale of an irresistible hero and the many women who love him.

From his earliest days as a practice baby through his adult adventures in 1960s New York City, Disney's Burbank studios, and the delirious world of the Beatles London, Henry remains handsome, charming, universally adored and never entirely accessible to the many women he conquers but can never entirely trust.

Filled with unforgettable characters, settings, and action, The Irresistible Henry House portrays the cultural tumult of the mid-20th century even as it explores the inner tumult of a young man trying to transcend a damaged childhood. For it is not until Henry House comes face-to-face with the real truths of his past that he finds a chance for real love.

©2010 Lisa Grunwald (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Like T.S. Garp, Forrest Gump or Benjamin Button, Henry House, the hero of Grunwald’s imaginative take on a little known aspect of American academic life, has an unusual upbringing....Grunwald nails the era just as she ingeniously uses Henry and the women in his life to illuminate the heady rush of sexual freedom (and confusion) that signified mid-century life." (Publishers Weekly)

"Irresistible." (Kathleen Daly, Newark Star-Ledger)

"The Irresistible Henry House is a soaring, heartfelt novel that spans three decades and an entire continent. Grunwald, author of several novels including Whatever Makes You Happy, creates a wholly original and all too human character in Henry House. Despite his quirks and shortcomings (or perhaps because of them), Henry is one of the most likeable, relatable characters in recent memory." (Amy Scribner, BookPage)

Disappointing

The story's main character Henry House was neither irresistible or charming. It was difficult to develop any positive feelings, understanding or sympathy for any of the characters in the book.

Not worth the time

I kept waiting for this book to get interesting, and it never did. The characters were mildly interesting at first, but there were too many of them, and the book never really went anywhere. I really didn't like the grown-up Henry, and actually had a hard time listening to the end, which is unusual for me. Not really worth the credits.

I wished I read the reviews before purchasing

This book was a struggle to listen to...Iike other reviewers, I kept waiting for something to happen and it never did. I found the characters, especially Henry, to be rather flat. I was disappointed.