The Motion of the Body Through Space

A Novel

By: Lionel Shriver

Narrated by: Laurence Bouvard

In Lionel Shriver’s entertaining send-up of today’s cult of exercise—which not only encourages better health, but now like all religions also seems to promise meaning, social superiority, and eternal life—an aging husband’s sudden obsession with extreme sport makes him unbearable.

After an ignominious early retirement, Remington announces to his wife Serenata that he’s decided to run a marathon. This from a sedentary man in his sixties who’s never done a lick of exercise in his life. His wife can’t help but observe that his ambition is “hopelessly trite.” A loner, Serenata disdains mass group activities of any sort. Besides, his timing is cruel. Serenata has long been the couple’s exercise freak, but by age sixty, her private fitness regimes have destroyed her knees, and she’ll soon face debilitating surgery. Yes, becoming more active would be good for Remington’s heart, but then why not just go for a walk? Without several thousand of your closest friends?

As Remington joins the cult of fitness that increasingly consumes the Western world, her once-modest husband burgeons into an unbearable narcissist. Ignoring all his other obligations, he engages a saucy, sexy personal trainer named Bambi, who treats Serenata with contempt. When Remington sets his sights on the legendarily grueling triathlon, MettleMan, Serenata is sure he’ll end up injured or dead. And even if he does survive, their marriage may not.

The Motion of the Body Through Space is vintage Lionel Shriver written with psychological insight, a rich cast of characters, lots of verve and petulance, an astute reading of contemporary culture, and an emotionally resonant ending.

The worst narration ever

Had to stop listening because of Remington’s voice. It is intolerable. What a shame as I wanted to listen to this book :(

Another great story by this author

For someone who over exercised in this part this was a real eye opener in addition the abundance of cultural takedowns

Book club

I think it would be a great book club book. The characters seem very realistic for their age group and it’s relatable to today’s issues. Good descriptions.

Very Good!

I really enjoyed this listen, and applaud Shriver's ability to articulate a wide variety of important topics in a thoughtful and entertaining way.

Also, the narrator was perfect when reading the protagonist's prose (which was thankfully for a majority of the book) but. . .when she was reading dialogue for the husband, Remington, or for 'Bambi Buffer' . . .IMHO. . . it was like nails on a chalkboard.
Overall I was truly engrossed by the listen, and definitely recommend!

One of the best Shriver books yet

Lionel Shriver has a way of taking a single idea like, cancer, the economy, an affair, or in this case, exercise, and turning it into a delightfully tangled web of interconnecting stories that drive home her message in more than one way. Her books usually speak to me because of her interest in showcasing non-traditional lifestyles. And even if the characters themselves live traditionally, their attitudes towards the world are not, and her cynicism is refreshing. She also uses an extremely extensive vocabulary, which is nice because she doesn’t treat her readers like idiots. Don’t be scared off by this book’s description, it is an enthralling ride and even tense at points. I hope she writes another soon!