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We Begin at the End  By  cover art

We Begin at the End

By: Chris Whitaker
Narrated by: George Newbern
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Publisher's summary

2021 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year

An Instant New York Times Best Seller

"A vibrant, engrossing, unputdownable thriller that packs a serious emotional punch. One of those rare books that surprise you along the way and then linger in your mind long after you have finished it." (Kristin Hannah, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Nightingale and The Four Winds)

Right. Wrong. Life is lived somewhere in between.

Duchess Day Radley is a 13-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Rules are for other people. She is the fierce protector of her five-year-old brother, Robin, and the parent to her mother, Star, a single mom incapable of taking care of herself, let alone her two kids.

Walk has never left the coastal California town where he and Star grew up. He may have become the chief of police, but he’s still trying to heal the old wound of having given the testimony that sent his best friend, Vincent King, to prison decades before. And he's in overdrive protecting Duchess and her brother.

Now, 30 years later, Vincent is being released. And Duchess and Walk must face the trouble that comes with his return. We Begin at the End is an extraordinary novel about two kinds of families- the ones we are born into and the ones we create.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company

"Heartbreaking, unexpected, and hopeful, this audiobook is a must-listen. Narrator George Newbern's nuanced delivery engages listeners and helps the layers of the story unfold." (AudioFile Magazine)

©2021 Christopher Whitaker (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about We Begin at the End

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Beautiful story with plot twists

Just finished....will miss the characters dearly. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this book touched my heart. It's a complex, tightly woven story with prose that will make you laugh and cry. The injustice and kindness of our being is perfectly captured.

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Amazing - Stick with it

It was heartbreaking but ultimately wonderful. I didn't enjoy the beginning but let the story pull you in. One of those stories that will stay with me.

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CLASSIC !!!

a classic worthy of Homer......and Conroy !!👍 I wish Duchess and Scout could have met !!

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Amazing

Full of twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat. I have listened to over a 100 books and this definitely makes one of the top 5. The ending was fantastic and it explained every question you may have had while listening.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting but dark

It was a good story with unexpected twists. Overall too sad for my liking despite a somewhat happy ending.

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Wonderful

All the 5 star reviews I just want to say right on. The reviews of people that didn’t like it. I can’t even understand that it was heartbreaking. It was beautiful I loved walk. I love Duchess. I love them all great story great great story.

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What a hidden gem!

I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. All the feels!!! The writing is wonderful. Tragic but balanced well with smatterings of humor and hope. I LOLed many times. I also really like this narrator.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Just WOW

Amazing. Fantastic narrator. Compelling story of acceptance, coming of age and doing the right thing. Brought me to tears at the end. Just wow. I think about this book everyday. I cannot stop recommending.

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A moving story

I haven’t wanted a book to not end in such a long time. Heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time.

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Exceptional

Fabulous prose! Great characters! Engaging reader! Loved everything about this book. Can’t recommend it enough!

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