My Ex-Life

A Novel

By: Stephen McCauley

Narrated by: George Newbern

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

From Stephen McCauley comes a long-anticipated audiobook about love, life, and friendship

David Hedges’ life is coming apart at the seams. His job helping San Francisco rich kids get into the colleges of their (parents’) choice is exasperating; his younger boyfriend has left him; and the beloved carriage house he rents is being sold. His solace is a Thai takeout joint that delivers 24/7.

The last person he expects to hear from is Julie Fiske. It’s been decades since they’ve spoken, and he’s relieved to hear she’s recovered from her brief, misguided first marriage. To him. Julie definitely doesn’t have a problem with marijuana (she’s given it up completely, so it doesn’t matter if she gets stoned almost daily) and the Airbnb she’s running out of her seaside house north of Boston is neither shabby nor illegal. And she has two whole months to come up with the money to buy said house from her second husband before their divorce is finalized.

She’d just like David’s help organizing college plans for her 17-year-old daughter. That would be Mandy. To quote Barry Manilow, Oh Mandy. While she knows she’s smarter than most of the kids in her school, she can’t figure out why she’s making so many incredibly dumb and increasingly dangerous choices.

When David flies east, they find themselves living under the same roof (one David needs to repair). David and Julie pick up exactly where they left off 30 years ago - they’re still best friends who can finish each other’s sentences. But there’s one broken bit between them that no amount of home renovations will fix.

In prose filled with hilarious and heartbreakingly accurate one-liners, Stephen McCauley has written an audiobook that examines how we define home, family, and love. Be prepared to laugh, shed a few tears, and have thoughts of your own ex-life triggered. (Throw pillows optional.)

©2018 Stephen McCauley (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"McCauley’s effervescent prose is full of wit and wisdom on every topic - college application essays, Airbnb operation, weed addiction, live porn websites, and, most of all, people.... A gin and tonic for the soul." (Kirkus)

"With My Ex-Life, a heartwarming comedy of manners about second chances and starting afresh, [Stephen McCauley] has pretty much outdone himself...McCauley fires off witticisms like a tennis ace practicing serves...In the vein of inveterate beguilers like Laurie Colwin, Elinor Lipman, and Maria Semple, McCauley is warm but snappy, light but smart - and just plain enjoyable." (NPR)

"A clever novel about exes reconnecting...Do not underestimate McCauley's witty insights or his ability to make middle-aged, sexless companionship seem wildly appealing." (People)

What a delight!

Please listen to this book; everything about it is a delight. It's a shining example of the genre with witty and insightful language; quirky characters; unique plot points. I can't wait to listen to it again. Good narration too!

Delightful and entertaining

I normally keep an audio book going during my daily commute to work. My Ex-Life was completely enveloping which had me carrying my phone around with me most of the weekend until I finished the book! I fell in love with the characters and the sweet story line so much I looked for other books on Audible by Stephen Mc Cauley and was disappointed not to find any others. Excellent and captivating reader too I look forward to hearing again.

Intriguing

I really enjoyed this book. The story, the characters, the spoken thoughts. I am so bummed I cannot find another Stephen McCauley book on Audible. Please bring another one of his books to Audible. Until then, I’ll listen to My Ex-Life again.

wonderful

Such a clever, funny and insightful book! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Many laugh out loud moments. Please hurry and record more of his books for Audible!

SO ENJOYABLE!

I usually listen to dark, disturbing mysteries, so this was a fun change of pace! Equal parts funny and sentimental, I instantly liked all the characters - even the teen, whose personality is typically written to annoy you, at every turn, was, instead, likable and surprisingly insightful. Was happy to learn Stephen also authored Object of My Affection, with my fav not-real-life-couple starring in the movie. Hope he continues to churn out new material!

Great story

Lovely, fun and funny. It sat in my Wish List for too long—I wish I had bought and listened to it sooner!

A wonderful read

So funny, so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down. The characters became alive as you melt into their lives. The dry wit will have you laughing out loud. Highly recommend.

An important (and fun!) novel for our time

McCauley makes me laugh hard! Fun characters and witty dialog allows the reader to forget that the boundaries and binds between acquaintances, friends and family are BIG topics. I love this book!

Great characters!

I loved this book. The characters are everyday, flawed humans that feel like friends very quickly into the novel. The story is compelling from start-to-finish and the performance is perfect.

Enjoyable Read

This was just a lovely story dealing with unique answers to the changes life sometimes presents.

Lasting friendships - unexpected gains and losses - and just a wonderful cast of characters, each with an interesting past and enough wisdom to help each other through life’s challenges.