Girl in Landscape

By: Jonathan Lethem

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

At the age of 13, Pella Marsh emigrates with her family to the Planet of the Archbuilders. These enigmatic aborigines have names like Lonely Dumptruck and Hiding Kneel, and a civilization that baffles and frightens their human visitors.

As the spikily independent Pella becomes an uneasy envoy between two species, Girl in Landscape deftly interweaves themes of exploration and otherness, loss, and sexual awakening.

©1999 Jonathan Lethem (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Lethem is opening up blue sky for American fiction." (Village Voice)
"Complex, scary and finally moving." (Atlanta Journal & Constitution)
"One of the most original voices among younger American novelists....Jonathan Lethem's imagination [is]...marvelously fertile." (Newsday)

Wonderful novel, horrendous audio book

The chapters on the audio book don’t even remotely match the chapters from the print edition. There are six chapters on the audio version but 21 in the actual book... I like to listen on my commute and then read the print version at home, which is impossible considering the way they butchered this audio book. There is also this strange music that plays in between chapters that inexplicably continues to play during certain sections of the novel which really ruins it for me. Do yourself a favor and read this lovely book, just avoid the audio book at all costs.

1 person found this helpful

Amazingly mature for YA

The story is amazingly mature while being surreal at the same time. The performance was perfect, writing was outstanding. Characters are well written and defined. I had this as a recommendation on YT and I'm so glad I downloaded this title!

Disappointing, not science-fiction

This book was a big disappointment. It seemed to have such potential but it just never went anywhere. I was actually startled when it ended because nothing had really happened yet. I was still waiting for the real story to begin and find out who the arch builders were. The book takes place on another planet but there’s nothing remotely science-fiction.

Incredibly depressing

I listened to this book on the strength of having listened to the Narrator read Odd Hours (which, by the way was outstanding).

While the reader was excellent with his portrayal of multiple characters and personalities well executed, the reading could not overcome a bizarre and depressing story that seemed to wander and drift.

I am no stranger to bizarre story lines (reference the Odd Thomas stories) but this was neurotic in its morose and self centered characters. The author seemed to be trying to show the worst of anyone that could ever be shown without being a serial killer.

The author took what could have been an excellent vehicle and squeezed any possible life out of it before giving it a chance.

I would NOT recommend this novel. It is far too dreary.

2 people found this helpful