The War of the Roses

By: Warren Adler

Narrated by: Dave Giorgio

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

The Roses met at an auction on Cape Cod. Oliver had just bought a Staffordshire figurine - one of a pair - but Barbara outbid him for its mate. The figurines belonged together, and so did the Roses. Now the two objets d'art sat together on a shelf in the Roses' home - symbols of the passion their owners shared. A passion that united them and now was about to tear them apart.

Sharing, for Oliver and Barbara Rose, was a way of life. Living in the mansion they had restored together, with the antiques they had collected together, their rare wines, their orchids, and their children - all the beautiful things they owned - they were happy. Their latest project had been the kitchen, which was to be the core of Barbara's new-found career as a caterer of gourmet foods. Though Oliver was a busy and successful attorney, he had shared all the planning chores with her.

The tipping point occurred when Oliver collapsed with what seemed to be a heart attack, and Barbara, as he had expected, did not rush to his side. Her indifference to his fate was both galling and an eye-opener about the truth of their marriage, a truth based more on materialism than mutual sharing and love.

The War of the Roses is a timeless novel. Yet, this is a story uniquely of our own time, where more and more people measure their happiness and success in terms of the things they possess.

This is the book that inspired one of the most famous movies about divorce ever produced. Shown somewhere in the world every week, the movie is an excellent adaptation of the book that has been translated in almost every language on the planet. The impact of both the book and the movie have made them both classics and brought the title The War of the Roses into the accepted jargon of divorce, describing the terrible hatred and cruelty engendered in the process.

©2001 Warren Adler (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Tight, unique, intimate...fascinating and unusual." (West Coast Review of Books)

Love is ever expanding and unending

Would you consider the audio edition of The War of the Roses to be better than the print version?

I loved the narration and the plot and everything. It made for an excellent listen. Love and human nature propel individuals into a fascinating realm in this breathtaking timeless novel.

Any additional comments?

"This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

Not like the movie but...

This is an excellent book. I had seen the movie quite some time ago, though from what I recall, the book follows a more conventional narrative form as compared to the movie in which the Danny Devito character tells the story.

This is a classic story in that it not only explores a particularly dark yet relatable aspect of potential relationship deterioration, but it holds up to the 20 years or so of time since written.

It's an entertaining listen. The characters, events and storyline are gripping.

The reader was excellent. I enjoyed the narrative and character voices very much.

Movie is Way better!

This is one of those very rare instances when the movie is better than the book. Idk who turned this book into that fantastic movie, but they were a genius. Because the book is not so great.
The performance was great, but that’s about the only nice thing I can say.

The movie made more sense

Would you listen to The War of the Roses again? Why?

Yes, if I didn't see the movie. For some reason I felt the movie was better at telling the progression of events. Also I watched the movie back in 1989 and I have built it up so much in my head. So while listening to the story in 2016 I sort of have this high expectation and it didn't meet my expectation. Don't get me wrong, the book is still pretty good I just felt the movie was better.

Which character – as performed by Dave Giorgio – was your favorite?

Oliver, although I would have not gone down that path he did but I can understand why he did it. There was definitely the feeling of how angry he was because he worked so hard for what he have.

Any additional comments?

I remembered watching the movie and wondered how awful it was when two people in love fall apart like that. My aunt went through a really bitter divorce and that was how I related to the movie. I was excited when Audiobook Boom had the book to review, I couldn’t wait to listen to it. But because I love the movie so much that listening to the story pale in comparison. Sadly, I felt that the characters were not as interesting as the movie was. Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas was a perfect cast and made the movie. There were slightly more details in the book but it didn’t really matter because there wasn’t anything that you couldn’t derive from the movie. Overall it was a good read.

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

don't marry and you won't have to get a divorce

Where does The War of the Roses rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in the top third.

What did you like best about this story?

i liked to read to what extreme the two of them would go to get their way.

Which character – as performed by Dave Giorgio – was your favorite?

mr. rose. but i saw the movie. michael douglas played mr. rose and he is my favorite actor.

If you could rename The War of the Roses, what would you call it?

MARRIAGE IS TEH FIRST STEP TO DIVORCE.

Any additional comments?

when i started the book i thought it was one of the few books that did not live up to the movie. but as the book went on i changed my mind. the book IS better.

The War of the Roses

What did you love best about The War of the Roses?

I loved the best the telling of a "love" story that wasn't really about love at all. I don't know if either of them were really in love with each other or just what the other person could do for them

What was one of the most memorable moments of The War of the Roses?

I actually liked how they first met and he kept going on and on about "how they are a matched set"

Have you listened to any of Dave Giorgio’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't but he did good

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I can't say that there was since i didn't really feel love between them, just mutual using of each other so the nastiness that ensued during their divorce didn't surprise me at all

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

The War of the Roses

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”



This is the ultimate tale of the thin line between love and hate. The Rose family came together over Pugilist figurines that both wanted, in the end they symbolized the destruction of the family. The lengths two supposed adults go to secure possessions acquired during the marriage are unbelievable to most people. I continued to listen to see which scheme would succeed.

I have not seen the movie based on this book, but when I feel evil I may watch it.

The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed, as they evolved.