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Heartburn

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Heartburn

By: Nora Ephron
Narrated by: Meryl Streep
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About this listen

Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Female, 2014

Is it possible to write a sidesplitting novel about the breakup of the perfect marriage? If the writer is Nora Ephron, the answer is a resounding yes. For in this inspired confection of adultery, revenge, group therapy, and pot roast, the creator of Sleepless in Seattle reminds us that comedy depends on anguish as surely as a proper gravy depends on flour and butter.

Seven months into her pregnancy, Rachel Samstat discovers that her husband, Mark, is in love with another woman. The fact that the other woman has "a neck as long as an arm and a nose as long as a thumb and you should see her legs" is no consolation. Food sometimes is, though, since Rachel writes cookbooks for a living. And in between trying to win Mark back and loudly wishing him dead, Ephron's irrepressible heroine offers some of her favorite recipes. Heartburn is a sinfully delicious novel, as soul-satisfying as mashed potatoes and as airy as a perfect soufflé.

©2011 Nora Ephron (P)2012 Random House Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Funny Witty

Critic Reviews

"Great fun. . . . Though Heartburn bristles ferociously with wit, it's not lacking in soul." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"Nora Ephron's first novel is warm, witty and wise." ( Harper's Bazaar)
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not a cliff hanger by any means but a funny, witty and honest story. Streep portrayed the various characters convincingly and added to the humour. The plot was realistic and although it was slow moving the writer showed depth and frank emotion.

a funny, soothing story. Beautifully narrated.

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I don't know what I would be like if I found our my husband loved someone else when I was 7 months pregnant. I could only hope to be as funny, shrewd, resilient & delightful as Rachel. And that I would be played by Meryl Streep because then I know I would be okay

emotional richness from two masters of their craft

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When you combine the brilliance of author, Nora Ephron with the superb and talented narration of Meryl Streep, you find listening gold!

Brilliance Times Two

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A fictionalised account of the breakdown of Ephron’s marriage to Carl Bernstein. I read the novel when it came out in the early 80s, saw the film a few years later, and listened to this mainly to hear Streep reading her late friend’s words.

The book has held up well and Streep’s reading is word and note perfect.

An early 80s classic

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This is a funny and engaging book with recipes sprinkled like seasoning. An easy listen in the expressive voice of Meryl Streep. Enjoyed this a lot.

Meryl and Nora - A match made in heaven

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Absolutely loved every minute of this perfect little gem. Gloriously dry humoured, delectably self-deprecating, mouth-wateringly salacious, I only wish it was three times longer. And could anything be better than having Meryl Streep read Nora Ephron? I think not.

Hilarious

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Succinct, funny, sad, resigned. A witty delight. Very much of its time and also timeless. Meryl Streep reads superbly as one would expect from her.

Who But Nora Ephron

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I was very excited when I read the reviews for this book - and even more so when I saw that Meryl Streep was narrating! Unfortunately, the story just didn’t grip me at all. I am currently going through a divorce and was hoping to find some sort of connection to the characters, but I simply couldn’t. Perhaps that is on me, because it is quite highly rated. However, I nearly turned it off quite early into the book, after hearing the phrase “I said” for the 40th time. I imagine it was an intentional choice to make the book feel more genuine, though it became increasingly grating every time I heard it.
Meryl’s performance was great. Can’t fault her. She gave the characters a lot of life, which kept me going for as long as I did.
I also wish I had access to the recipes that were read throughout - however, I won’t be purchasing the paperback just for copies of these. Perhaps, they could be included as PDF additions to the book? They genuinely sounded delicious!

Sadly, I couldn’t finish it.

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Brilliant narration. I usually read fantasy books so I think it says a lot that I was entertained by it as it's not my normal genre of interest. The humour was rather sardonic. I like that things weren't drawn out too much and if you're interested in getting some recipes they're in there too. A good read especially considering that it is based on a true story.

Entertaining

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Meryl Streep brings Nora Ephron's breakthrough novel to life here. The audio book is absolutely the way to listen to/read Heartburn. The book itself is funny and sad and romantic and poignant - with only a couple of little jarring comments that make you remember it's 40 years old. Fan's of Ephron's films will hear catchy phrases she drops into her other works like When Harry Met Sally or Sleepless in Seattle.

This book is essential listening for anyone who likes Ephron's movies or enjoys cooking or eating good food, ever had their heart broken or has a child, ever lived in New York or Washington or dreamed about doing so, and anyone really of good taste. DOWNLOAD IT NOW AND THANK ME LATER.

I LOVE this book

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