Release

By: Patrick Ness

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Inspired by Judy Blume’s Forever and Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, this novel that Andrew Smith calls “beautiful, enchanting, [and] exquisitely written” is a new classic about teenage relationships, self-acceptance—and what happens when the walls we build start coming down. A Kirkus Best Book of 2017!

Adam Thorn doesn’t know it yet, but today will change his life.

Between his religious family, a deeply unpleasant ultimatum from his boss, and his own unrequited love for his sort-of ex, Enzo, it seems as though Adam’s life is falling apart. At least he has two people to keep him sane: his new boyfriend (he does love Linus, doesn’t he?) and his best friend, Angela.

But all day long, old memories and new heartaches come crashing together, throwing Adam’s life into chaos. The bindings of his world are coming untied one by one; yet in spite of everything he has to let go, he may also find freedom in the release.

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Monster Calls comes a raw, darkly funny, and deeply affecting story about the courage it takes to live your truth.

©2017 Patrick Ness (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Think I Missed The End Point!

Brilliant concept with how it starts, like Mrs Dalloway, but then gets lost in the 2nd story that weaves through out. Loved the Adam story line, really nailed the core of gay teen angist; but then totally confused by the Queen and Fawn narrative. These sections get quite boring and derail what I thought was the main story, but then never seems to satisfy in the end.

I loved one story, didn't really get the other.

it is very well written. I loved Adam's story, had a little trouble following the ghost story. I would have preferred it being a bit more of a straightforward narrative, I didn't see the point in alternating between what felt like two completely different books. Overall, I still definitely reccomend the book.

Well, 50% of it was great

Um... the main story was great but there's this second interwoven story that takes away from it, I hated every time that the story shifted. it was really weird honestly.

Disappointed

I had great hope for this book. It was formatted in a style I abhor, mixed stories. I also am not s fan of fantasy. Mixing the two made this a book I had wished overlooked. If the the book had just been the story of Adam it would have been a 5 star book. Narrated by one of my favorite narrators had me listen to this listening to the end.

I mean, Michael Crouch is everything!

Mr. Crouch’s narration really brings this book to life. He’s so adept at stories like these, designed to pull at your heartstrings. His empathy and obvious feather-light touch (to really honor the source material) is so, so appreciated and invaluable. Loved him! The book was challenging for me at times, but Mr. Crouch was a constant throughout. Really great listen! In the end, two big thumbs up.

Beautiful

This book required two listens for me (and has gotten three now, so far). On the first listen, I was confused about the double story line - it felt.... off? Out of place? I wasn't really sure what to do with it - it didn't fit into my concept of what a novel should be. But I loved the primary story line enough that a second listen was no hardship. On the second listen, I took in more of the second story - the exploration of different kinds of abuse and how to let go of the people who love you and yet hurt you.

Even if you only read it for the primary story, Patrick Ness has given you a beautiful one. And Michael Crouch is fabulous as always.