The Listeners

A Novel

By: Jordan Tannahill

Narrated by: Deborah Pearson

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE FINALIST

A propulsive literary page-turner about a family torn apart by a mother’s obsession with a sound that no one else can hear

One night, while lying in bed next to her husband, Claire Devon suddenly hears a low hum. This innocuous sound, which no one else in the house can hear, has no obvious source or medical cause, but it begins to upset the balance of Claire’s life. When she discovers that one of her students can also hear the hum, the two strike up an unlikely and intimate friendship. Finding themselves increasingly isolated from their families and colleagues, they fall in with a disparate group of people who also perceive the sound. What starts out as a kind of neighbourhood self-help group gradually transforms into something much more extreme, with far-reaching, devastating consequences.

The Listeners is an electrifying novel that treads the thresholds of faith, conspiracy and mania. Compelling and exhilarating, it forces us to consider how strongly we hold on to what we perceive, and the way different views can tear a family apart.

Addictive Modern Fiction

This book was modern, relevant and wrenching. I finished it in a few days.

Wonderful narration

Absolutely loved the narration! It was so emotional. Very unique story and interesting topic imo.

Do you hear what I hear?

The sound of a book falling flat?

During Booker season I found the most charming video book blogger, who touted this book as a possible Booker nominee. She was so convincing in her love for this book. I had to try it.

As much as I loved her, I HATED this book. OMG it was so so so dumb. It started out OK, and I thought it would get better but by the final 1/3 it just had devolved into pure silliness. Perhaps it was meant to be satire ripping on people who will believe absolutely anything. But even as satire it was ridiculous.

I truly hated it.

Weird and would not read again!

Started out with so much potential, and then becomes a mess towards the halfway point. Check trigger warnings. Really wanted the ending to be more but it’s so lackluster I would never recommend this to anyone.