Us

By: David Nicholls

Narrated by: Justin Salinger

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

Douglas Petersen’s family is on the brink of dissolution. His marriage of 21 years to Connie is almost over. When autumn comes around, their son Albie will leave for college. Connie has decided to leave soon after.

But before everything falls apart, there's still the summer holidays to get through - a Grand Tour of Europe's major cities - and over the course of the journey, Douglas devises a plan to win back the love of his wife and repair his troubled relationship with his son.

©2014 David Nicholls (P)2014 W F Howes Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Us is epic and intimate, funny and heartbreaking. No-one can write as brilliantly, poignantly and hilariously as David Nicholls about love, life and loss. His many fans will not be disappointed." ( SCOOP)

Rancid

After thoroughly enjoying Sweet Sorrow by the same author, I tried, am trying, this audio book. Lacks the humour of SS and feels like a latter day version of Kramer vs Kramer. Simply horrid narration. Destroys what humour may have been there and woeful non Euro accents. The plot wallows in self pity. Never ending lists of places and paintings and musicians as if seeking to impress. Unlikeable characterisations to the point where one wishes that the son would have indeed been sent to Ibiza and the main folks quietly permitted to divorce. Should be refundable.

David Nicolls - never disappoints

Another witty. moving and heart-breakingly real story with down-to-earth, believable chatacters and charming use of the english language. David Nicholls is a genius at potraying normal life in a way which is engaging and intriguing.

Best narrator I've heard

You should listen to this book just for the narration alone. It's wonderful. The story itself is so real, and so funny and sad. I loved every minute.

Great Story but….

When there are so many great narrators out there, why chose one so dull? This novel is long awaited and much anticipated but the narrator reads with a wearisome two-tone delivery as though it's a local news report. Douglas comes across as a whiner and all the gentle comedy is lost.

A Self-Analysis Of One Man's Marriage

Douglas Petersen is 54 and his wife of nearly 25 years is thinking of leaving him....

This is how "Us" begins, and over the series of many short chapters, we are submerged into Douglas' world entirely from his perspective, both through the present, and the past, with some glimpses into the future. This shifting of time I at first found a bit unsettling, but it helps us to understand why Douglas finds himself to be in the predicament he is in.

On the whole, I came away from this feeling pessimistic about life, and how despite your best efforts you can still be left in solitude. I also found it hard to fully sympathise with Douglas. Sure - the breakdown of his marriage was not all his fault. Connie was just as much to blame, but his lack of empathy towards his son, Albie, was at times truly cold. But, then, this was not entirely Douglas' fault, as his parents showed him very little warmth when he was growing up.

David Nicholls is without doubt a talented writer, with a lot of depth to his craft. He manages to bring a lot of humour, to what is ultimately a sad story. There are some dark moments here, but there are also some tender ones too. I also enjoyed the European backdrop to the story and some of the descriptions of the places Douglas and his family visited. At times, it was a little verbose, but still enjoyable.

And finally, I thought Justin Salinger's narration was pretty good. He seemed to strike the right tone and balance throughout.

weak story line and terrible narration.

poor narration killed it . I know he had a boring character but the voice didn't have to match

Life, love and unhappiness

A engaging look at the complicated father-son-mother triangle of love, interdependency and growth. How no one is an island and as as we live we take something of the others that we live and love with.

Emotional journey of a dysfunctional family

Connie feels suffocated by her marriage and wants out but not before they make a final trip together as man and wife. Who would want that?

I found it unbelievable that intelligent but spineless Douglas not only agreed to this but meticulously planned the educational tour of Europe around her interests.

Even harder to believe was that their son, Albie, was persuaded to join them rather than take the usual coming of age holiday with his friends.

And so this dysfunctional family embark on an emotional journey each hoping for a different outcome. I didn't sympathise with any of the characters, nor enjoy the journey.

Depressing

Probably the most depressing book I've ever read.The protagonist is a wimp, his wife is selfish, and the ending is depressing.

Excellent book, literally laughed out loud

I loved this book. Very well written with ups and downs. A lot of laughing out loud. A warming story of love and devotion.

Was ok but the narrator's voice ruined it

I enjoyed listening to it but the narrator's voice was hard to get used to. The story might have been better for me if I had read the book myself

MarveloUS

This book is every bit as good as I expected from this author. The tale of a man in his fifties who is unexpectedly told by his wife that she wants to leave him after their son leaves home. It is a fantastic idea to unfold this story against the backdrop of a grand tour of Europe. Families on the move are a great source of tension and potential catastrophe and what happens here is hilarious, cringeworthy and at times filled with pathos. I won't say any more because this is a story that keeps you guessing to the end and every step of the way is an absolute pleasure.

Totally brilliant - One Day all grown up

Where does Us rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top, Justin Salinger did a great job of bringing the story to life

What other book might you compare Us to, and why?

It is like One Day, but so much more full of life's complicated fabric. The element of road trip come diary first person is totally absorbing.

Which character – as performed by Justin Salinger – was your favourite?

it's got to be Douglas, his awkward British character is funny and so sadly familiar.

Any additional comments?

You won't regret the time you spend with Douglas, he will bring a new lense to the complexity, hopes and disappointments of relationships and family.