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Fleishman Is in Trouble

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Fleishman Is in Trouble

By: Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
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About this listen

Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020

Finally free from his nightmare of a marriage, Toby Fleishman is ready for a life of Tinder dating and weekend-only parental duties. But as he optimistically looks to a future of few responsibilities, his life turns upside down as his ex-wife Rachel suddenly disappears.

While Toby tries to find out what happened - juggling work, his kids and his new, app-assisted sexual popularity - his tidy narrative of a spurned husband is his sole consolation. But if he ever wants to really understand where Rachel went and what really happened to his marriage, he is going to have to consider that he might not have seen it all that clearly in the first place....

A blistering satirical novel about marriage, divorce and modern relationships, by one of the most exciting new voices in American fiction.

©2019 Taffy Brodesser-Akner (P)2019 Penguin Audio Literature & Fiction Satire Marriage Comedy Dating Witty Fiction Divorce

Critic Reviews

"Shrewdly observed, brimming with wisdom and utterly of this moment...Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut is that rare and delicious treat: a page turner with heft." (Maria Semple)

"A marvel, full of shrewd observations, barbed wit, and deep insight...a remarkable debut novel from one of the most distinctive writers around." (Tom Perrotta)
All stars
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Good story line, narrator was fine. Was a little slow at times and the final few chapters jumped around.

Fun story but the audible App fouled it up

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100 pages too long.

great narration but I didn't find the story or the writing anywhere near as good as I had hoped

great narration, ok book

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it felt very whiney.
i did like the way it lead you to think about marriage and partnership. but Toby developed from annoying and a 'victim' to a bit of a pratt to be honest.

kept waiting for a little uplift

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Good narrative pace and character voices. A story that beds you to keep listening. highly recommend!

Couldn't stop listening,!

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A wonderful modern day narrative on men and women & marriage. Will make you rethink your own relationships.

Brilliant!

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I'd heard really good things about this book (big twist, insightful etc) but personally I didn't find it overly compelling, though it was interesting enough that I'm glad I listened/read it. I didn't enjoy the narrator's style either, so unsure if this also affected my overall enjoyment of the book!

Good premise but not as compelling as expected

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The story of a relationship and marriage breakup from all sides. Insightful and amusing Re all the inter relationships and yet doesn’t make any judgements. The online dating scene for Toby is very amusing. The performances are very good.

A very New York story

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This book really surprised me. I thought 'oh it's an interesting enough story' but the way it is told is the real beauty of this book. The raw, eloquent and unflinching inner monologue of what it can be like being a human is really quite special. You don't have to have to be married to read this book, but if you are, you may find yourself tearing up at the exposure of those things you didn't realise that other people felt about themselves, their partners, their marriages... oof it's a good one.

An unflinching tale about marriage and being human

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Brodesser -Akner was able to turn me in knots as she changed perspectives during this thoroughly fantastic book. I loved her style. I loved the voice of the narrator I loved the insights on marriage, gender, parenthood and at times they were so close to the bone it was with a shock of recognition that I responded. I found it hard to stop listening. It was really clever as well - playing with narratives and possibilities so I was constantly engaged.

Cutting, true, sad and funny perspective.

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a must read for everyone. Women in their 40s will completely relate. everyone else should read it for a better understanding of human nature and how we are sold ideals that if we cannot live up to we feel like failures.

incredible insight into human nature

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