• The Tennis Partner

  • A Doctor's Story of Friendship and Loss
  • By: Abraham Verghese
  • Narrated by: Neil Shah
  • Length: 13 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (105 ratings)

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The Tennis Partner  By  cover art

The Tennis Partner

By: Abraham Verghese
Narrated by: Neil Shah
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Publisher's summary

An unforgettable, illuminating story of how men live and how they survive, from Abraham Verghese, the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of Cutting for Stone and The Covenant of Water, an Oprah's Book Club Pick.

“Heartbreaking. . . . Indelible and haunting, [The Tennis Partner] is an elegy to friendship found, and an ode to a good friend lost.”The Boston Globe

When Abraham Verghese, a physician whose marriage is unraveling, relocates to El Paso, Texas, he hopes to make a fresh start as a staff member at the county hospital. There he meets David Smith, a medical student recovering from drug addiction, and the two men begin a tennis ritual that allows them to shed their inhibitions and find security in the sport they love and with each other. This friendship between doctor and intern grows increasingly rich and complex, more intimate than two men usually allow. Just when it seems nothing can go wrong, the dark beast from David’s past emerges once again—and almost everything Verghese has come to trust and believe in is threatened as David spirals out of control.

©2024 Abraham Verghese (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Tennis Partner

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    4 out of 5 stars

An important story to tell

The author shared a painful, important story- including quite a bit about his own vulnerability. He writes beautifully and compassionately. I appreciated those aspects a lot. There was a bit too much detail about the tennis- even though I understood it was a metaphor.

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This is a love story that will break your heart

The narration was excellent. Dr. Verghese's poetry and meaningful words jumped off the page, An unforgettable story of love that u will treasure

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ThiS man is an extraordinary writer.

A haunting tale that is told is a very straightforward manner. There is no attempt to over dramatize the story. Presenting it as it was- makes it all the more stirring and tragic. Verghese’s writing is masterful, touching, emotional- but no more than the story itself. He has a masterful touch- every word is there for a reason.

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Another great book by Abraham Verghese

Very good story with lots of details. Great narration. Dr. Virgies is such a talented writer, mixing his storyline with medical term and his personal story. Definitely a great read

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Love this author!

The compassion that the author has for his patients, and most of all for his friend and tennis partner, is so touching. I love this author, as I also loved Covenant of Water and Cutting for Stone. Highly recommend all!

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Excellent Story

Dr. Verghese's writing here is nothing short of phenomenal. His ability to paint a picture with words is unparalleled. The emotion that he conveys is truly stunning. Narration is top notch as well. Can't recommend this book highly enough.

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Characters

This is a deep dive into the overlapping cultures of medical education, tennis, southwest Texas, intravenous drugs, and AIDS. Difficult, sad, respectful and humble. It is beautifully and written and read.

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Autobiographical

I love Verghese’s other books. I love how he winds his medical knowledge throughout his stories. This one was personal. About a friend.

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Heart Gripping

Abraham, you did it again another wonderful story. I could feel the main characters pain at the end. Loved it.

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Another incredible story by Verghese

Love, love, love. What a beautifully crafted story of a friendship between two men, the stories of doctors and patients, and the sad and fractured life of addiction. So well told. Heartbreaking.

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