She's Come Undone

By: Wally Lamb

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

"Mine is a story of craving: an unreliable account of lusts and troubles that began, somehow, in 1956 on the day our free television was delivered...."

Meet Dolores Price. She's 13, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Beached like a whale in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally rolls into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she's determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before really going belly-up.

In this extraordinary coming-of-age odyssey, Wally Lamb invites us to hitch a wild ride on a journey of love, pain, renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years. At once a fragile girl and a hard-edged cynic, so tough to love yet so inimitably lovable, Dolores is as poignantly real as our own imperfections. She's Come Undone includes a promise: you will never forget Dolores Price.

©2011 Wally Lamb (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"A heroine to cheer for....This supremely touching journey to adulthood may remind you of The World According to Garp and other sagas of emotional liberation." ( Glamour)

"There are at least two surprises in store for readers of Lamb's memorable debut novel. One is the author's sex. This male writes so convincingly in the voice of a female, tracing her life from 4 to 40, that you have to keep looking back at the jacket picture just to make sure. The second surprise is how such a string of trials and tribulations can add up to such a touchingly funny book..." ( People)

"An ambitious, often stirring and hilarious book." ( The New York Times)

Loved it!

If you could sum up She's Come Undone in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful, sad, and hilarious!

What did you like best about this story?

I like that Dolores finds happiness at the end. I read the book when it came out and remember loving it. Of course, I still feel the same after listening to it.

Which character – as performed by Linda Stephens – was your favorite?

Obviously Dolores Price...she remains strong

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book did make me cry, especially at the end.

Any additional comments?

Love anything that Wally Lamb writes...he's amazing!

Very good, but not quite great.

This is a story that is greatly enhanced by the narration. I preferred Angle of Repose for its content, but Linda Stevens' performance makes this one almost as good a listen. The story is a bit predictable, but the character development mostly makes up for the somewhat lackluster, obvious, and overused themes and devices. I wouldn't listen to it again, but I do recommend it and I'll listen to more by the same author.

Couldn't stop listening.

I really enjoyed the story. It was dark at times but also had some humor. It kept me hooked, wanting to know what happens to Delores. I thought the narrator did a wonderful job.

Amazing

I bet I've read this book ten times in the past twenty years. Everytime I read it I get something new. This is the first time I've had it read to me and the first time I've heard Delores's story since becoming a mother. If you have never read a book by Wally Lamb I highly suggest picking one up. We are Water or I know This Much is True are two other great books that he has written.

depressing and disturbing

This was a wild card read for me. I had no expectations going in, but I come from a family with some mental illness so I gave it a shot. The story was vividly descriptive of the era represented and very believable. The insights were realistic and painful through most of the story. However, it seemed that the author felt obligated to end on an upbeat note, which was so counter to the entire book as to seem forced.

Wonderful

One of my favorite books of all time. It’s narrator Linda does a wonderful job. The book is such a great story following someone throughout their life and while deeply hurt and flawed you can’t help but love! To see her journey and triumph was a beautiful experience and I feel it’s a must read for all young men and women.

many of life's challenges

She's come undone deeply examines a plethora of life's challenges although the plot becomes a bit monotonous at points.

This was a great story

i enjoyed reading the book in most part, although the book could have been cut by 20%, by omitting the details in most areas.

Still processing

I liked book, but am still processing
What I liked and disliked about the book. I do like that the book did not answer all my questions, but that's reality of most of our lives. Still thinking about Delores' feelings or lack thereof around her father's death, or fully understanding the connection she had with her mother's best friend, or the strain an tension with her grandmother.

I liked Delores' sarcasm
And enjoyed witnessing her softening as the book went on. Interesting.

Good but not great

The narration enhanced the overall story and my enjoyment of it. Not sure how to suggest improving the story.