Life and Other Near-Death Experiences

A Novel

By: Camille Pagán

Narrated by: Amy McFadden

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Libby Miller has always been an unwavering optimist - but when her husband drops a bomb on their marriage the same day a doctor delivers devastating news, she realizes her rose-colored glasses have actually been blinding her.

With nothing left to lose, she abandons her life in Chicago for the clear waters and bright beaches of the Caribbean for what might be her last hurrah. Despite her new sunny locale, her plans go awry when she finds that she can't quite outrun the past or bring herself to face an unknowable future. Every day of tropical bliss may be an invitation to disaster, but with her twin brother on her trail and a new relationship on the horizon, Libby is determined to forget about fate. Will she risk it all to live - and love - a little longer?

From critically acclaimed author Camille Pagán comes a hilarious and hopeful story about a woman choosing between a "perfect" life and actually living.

©2015 Camille Pagán (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Thank you for a very good listen

Where does Life and Other Near-Death Experiences rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

I would go with the Pilot. He seemed to be a really nice guy and I loved his wit.

Any additional comments?

One of the best stories I have listened too. All about good people trying to love and do the Right thing.

Good, but

What did you love best about Life and Other Near-Death Experiences?

The reader was wonderful. The story had a great frame, but the journey of it was too simplistic and easy. A very neat and tidy read though. I enjoyed it.

Loved it!

First off, I think Amy McFadden did a superb job bringing Libby to life. This, this, is the difference a remarkable narrator can make in an Audible book. I'm not saying this book wouldn't have been one I'd have loved via the written word, but I must wonder if I'd felt so close to her because she came ALIVE in the Audible version. That said, this was a well-written, fun book to listen to, despite the seriousness of the situation. Pagan is an excellent author. I wished you'd had more of her work! (I looked.) This was my favorite Audible out of 90 I've heard!

Kindle suggested I might like...

Kindle is right!
I could not stop listening. How do you make someone volunteer to expose themself to the sadness of divorce & grave illness? Ask Camille. Better yet; download and read/or listen. Nothings implausibly sugarcoated. The story works because it sounds like something you might do-or want to do or watch your friend do in such a situation, fork spearing and all.
Amy's narrative gave each character depth and identity for me. She has a pleasant voice. I look forward to listening to more of her work.

Great book!!!

Loved this book!!!!! Great story with clever writing. I really enjoyed the narration as well.

learning about yourself

Would you listen to Life and Other Near-Death Experiences again? Why?

yes several more times.. it was very inspiring

What other book might you compare Life and Other Near-Death Experiences to and why?

none that comes to mind

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

the way she brought the charters to life

If you could take any character from Life and Other Near-Death Experiences out to dinner, who would it be and why?

shiloh..he is very interesting and his out look on life was refreshing

Any additional comments?

everyone should read this book

A happy ending is always nice

What did you love best about Life and Other Near-Death Experiences?

this book starts out kinda gloomy but i love the settle comedic reliefs in the book. the love story is nice and the fact this book takes you up and down all the way through it with realist insight to a cancer patients mind of fright and frantic actions. over all i love this book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Life and Other Near-Death Experiences?

when libby goes of the deep and goes off on her boss because she was in need of time to cope and she just had enough of her bosses demands.

What about Amy McFadden’s performance did you like?

i like her soothing voice and the way she fluctuated her her tones to assimilated to the other characters.

Let's go to Puerto Rico!

Any additional comments?

Okkkk so. Let's talk about this book. I liked it! I keep telling people about it because I think the situation Libby is thrown into is horrifying yet absolutely makes for a good story line. And Paul. I love Paul! He's funny, witty, loving, etc. Great character. I found myself turning to this book even during short car rides, wanting to find out what happened to Libby in the end, after her trip from Vieques ended. But ugh. The epilogue kind of killed it for me. Not KILLED it, killed it, because I'm still giving it 4 stars (maybe slightly generous but I can't bring myself to knock it down to 3) but it was just like: "ok, here's the perfect pretty little bow to tie up the ending of this book." And I wanted something...meatier. Like, the entire book, subconsciously I think, I was waiting for what happened to poor ol' Libby in the end. But then it happened and I was like ughh this isn't cutting it for me. (Spoiler alert!!)

I didn't WANT her to die in the end, I mean I liked Libby. But come onnnnnn...cancer magically wasn't killing her, marriage to Shiloh, twin girls. She didn't even lose her hair. I mean, really? Far-fetched. I'm not going to re-write the end of this book; it's not mine to dictate. But from a reader perspective, I think I was just left wanting something more realistic to happen in the end versus a true Hollywood ending. Wrap it up in sparkly paper and stick a bow on top. Does this mean I think you should scrap the entire thing? Nah, give it a go.

Oh! I really want to go to Puerto Rico now.

Uplifting story about living with cancer.

The basic message of this story is to never give up; continue to live and live as if life is certain. It is an uplifting little story that is very worthwhile. The narration is very, very good.

Story is good, narration not

The story line wasn't bad at all, but the narrator's voice and annunciation annoyed me.

Poorly written with grating narration

The story was cute, but poorly researched and written, and the narration was terrible, all of the voices were the same, words mispronounced, horrible Spanish accent (and poorly researched Spanish)

Easy listening, nice narration

This was easy listening,though not what I'd normally listen to, it was enjoyable, the narration was good and the story line authentic

Finding hope in strange and familiar places

This took me a little while to get into it but after the first few chapters I found myself caring about these characters (even Tom) and wanting to find out what happens next. This story has every possible emotion running throughout it. I am definitely going to read more books from this author.

made me laugh

I loved It, funny and gripping. definately worth a read. I also shed a tear!

i couldnt listen to this Awful voice.

i couldnt listen to this awful voice any longer. I made it through 3 pages

Had me in tears

Fantastic well thought out storyline. really enjoyable book. Wonderful performance well worth the listen. I will be looking for more books from this author.

OK. slightly annoying narration.

found I wanted to see how it ended so kept going but found narration annoying. rather wish I hadn't bothered.

Male Voice

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The "male voice" of the narrator makes the husband sound idiotic, like Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher from American Pie.