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Dinner with the Schnabels

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Dinner with the Schnabels

By: Toni Jordan
Narrated by: Ian Bliss
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About this listen

You can marry into them, but can you ever really be one of them?

A novel about marriage, love and family.

Things haven't gone well for Simon Larsen lately. He adores his wife, Tansy, and his children, but since his business failed and he lost the family home, he can't seem to get off the couch.

His larger-than-life in-laws, the Schnabels - Tansy's mother, sister and brother - won't get off his case. To keep everyone happy, Simon needs to do one little job: he has a week to landscape a friend's backyard for an important Schnabel family event.

But as the week progresses, Simon is derailed by the arrival of an unexpected house guest. Then he discovers Tansy is harbouring a secret. As his world spins out of control, who can Simon really count on when the chips are down?

Life with the Schnabels is messy, chaotic and joyful, and Dinner with the Schnabels is as heartwarming as it is outrageously funny.

©2022 Toni Jordan (P)2022 Hachette Audio Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Marriage Heartfelt Funny Comedy

Critic Reviews

"I loved every page of this funny, warm, delightful novel!" (Liane Moriarty)

"Told with great humour and pathos. It is a tonic and a delight." (Pip Williams, author of The Dictionary of Lost Words)

"Smart, tender, wise and hilarious. This is a dinner I didn't want to leave." (Kathryn Heyman)

All stars
Most relevant
Wonderful story - it would be excellent for a book club with lots of current mores and social issues to discuss.

Great book

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I laughed out load lots of times , it was such a fun book to listen too, recommend by 2GB radio program , I’m very happy I took the time to listen

So funny

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A great story. Up to date with contemporary Australia and life, it was amusing and thought provoking at times.

Loved it

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A simple story with fantastic characters you’ll love. Lots of moments when I laughed out loud. Recommended.

Laugh out loud

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Loved the character development and family dynamics. Laughed out loud and what the kids said! Simon’s character was well developed and relatable. Great ending!

Entertaining and so Australian!

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I loved this book so much. It was a 5 star read with some pointed messages, including:
1. Life can batter us around.
2. Kids are more perceptive than we realise.
3. Kids love their parents unconditionally and want to contribute to family life.
4. True friends aren't fickle.
5. Discipline is its own reward.
6. Flawes are part of every growing thing and we arent all meant to be repaired.
7. Be kind to yourself.
8. People make mistakes - it doesnt have to mean punishment
9. Its more important to have kids who grow to be kind people who care about the world than nobel prize winners.
10. And my favourite funny part: "Who built that? - a labrador with an allen key".

I loved every page of this book

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The reviews for this were great, and I am clearly in the minority. I disliked every single character in this book. The narration was grating, and not once did I laugh. I even skipped about 10 chapters just so I could get to the end (was a book club selection). Do not recommend.

I think I listened to a different book

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It's not great and the narration is awful, further making caricatures out of already one-dimensional writing. This novel tries too hard to be funny, like a primary school child desperate to be accepted.

Disappointed

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Narration was ok, the main character was infuriating to the last. Not my cup of tea.

Ok, but there are better stories

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