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  • Heartburn

  • By: Nora Ephron
  • Narrated by: Meryl Streep
  • Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (263 ratings)

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Heartburn

By: Nora Ephron
Narrated by: Meryl Streep
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Publisher's Summary

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

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)

What listeners say about Heartburn

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Not For Me

I listened untill the end I found it really really difficult to listen to I don't think Meryl Streep did a good job with the narration even though I think she is fantastic . Don't waste your time on this one

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a funny, soothing story. Beautifully narrated.

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.

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I LOVE this book

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.

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Very entertaining

A very straight story - I'm not - but also had me laughing out loud on a regular basis. Meryl Streep's delivery was perfect, of course, and just made it funnier. A good choice if you need a laugh.

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Nora and Meryl, perfect pair

This story has no structure, makes no sense, and defies and genre convention, but I loved it. Just go with it, and enjoy the performance.

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Hilarious heartbreak

Witty and absorbing story of marital betrayal interwoven with tasty recipes. Told from a woman’s perspective - a famous woman writer, Nora Ephron who makes hilarious copy out of her own experience of heartbreak. Delightful narration by Meryl Streep who played the lead character in the film adaption of the book opposite Jack Nicholson.

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Great story, great narrator

Meryl Streep turns a great book into something even more special with her performance and character

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emotional richness from two masters of their craft

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

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    5 out of 5 stars

Meryl and Nora - A match made in heaven

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.

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A timeless classic

I Loved the book and movie in the 1980s and loved rediscovering in the 2020s.

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  • Cynthia
  • 12-07-2013

Be the Heroine , Not the Victim

Nora Ephron (1941 -2012) wrote the scripts for "When Harry Met Sally" (1989), "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), and"You've Got Mail" (1998). I love these films, and I've seen them so many times I can say the lines along with the characters. Ephron's New York is a vibrant, colorful place full of native and transplanted New Yorkers who adore the city, from sidewalk trash pickup to astounding views from the tallest skyscrapers.

I've seen the movie version of "Heartburn" (1986). Meryl Streep is a true wonder - remember "Sophie's Choice" (1982)? And I truly forgot she wasn't really Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" (2009). I didn't like the movie version of "Heartburn," though - and I never read the 1982 book.

I did like the Audible of "Heartburn" very much. I remember that "Heartburn" was reviewed by a lot of critics as whiny and self absorbed when it was published 31 years ago, but today, it is snarkily amusing and a wry slice of the 80's. There's something sad and funny about a woman who renovates the couple's several homes, a cook book author with her own cooking show, who complains about being broke all the time - and is clueless that her feckless husband is carrying on an affair with the money going to expensive trips and gifts to his mistress. When Rachel Samstat finally looses it, she does it with memorable flare.

Ephron wrote "Heartburn" after a bitter end to her marriage to the philandering Carl Bernstein. Yes, the Bernstein, who along with Bob Woodward and a whistleblower code named "Deep Throat" exposed the Watergate crimes and brought down Richard M. Nixon's presidency. Bernstein referred to the whistleblower as "MF", and Ephron called her fictional wandering spouse "Mark Feldman." In 2005, the FBI agent who leaked information to Bernstein went public - Mark Felt. Ephron knew who Bernstein's informant was. Listening to "Heartburn," I wondered if she was covertly pointing at Felt.

Ephron turned what was a hushed scandal that had Washington DC society whispering its pity for her into a best selling book and a major motion picture. Now it's a wonderful Audible book, performed by Streep - who makes you forget she's not actually Rachel Samstat/Nora Ephron in the first five minutes.

The title of this review is an edited quote from a commencement speech Ephron gave at Wellesley in 1996. She said, "Above all else, be the heroine of your life , not the victim." That's what Ephron did with "Heartburn."

[If you found this review helpful, please let me know by clicking the helpful button. Thanks!]

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346 people found this helpful

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  • David Shear
  • 10-07-2013

Just a treasure

This book being released in audio format is a gift. Having it read by Meryl Streep makes it a priceless gift. The constant and specific 80's references are so much fun. The setting in DC and the political references give such an intimate peek into lives and moments, it feels like you are eavesdropping instead of simply listening to a book. These combine to make the book feel like a purposeful classic instead of feeling dated.

Streep's narration is beyond perfect. She takes the whole experience to the next level. Her occasional self-effacing lilt and her chuckle add to that personal feeling, like she's a little embarrassed that she got caught telling such a tale. Narrators are usually best when they can become invisible, not true in this case. Streep adds to the story in a way that only she could, that only a master could.

I'll listen to this again. I really enjoyed it and want to catch any little moments I might have missed the first time

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  • Doggy Bird
  • 18-07-2013

Delicious listening experience!

Combine Meryl Streep's talents with Nora Ephron's wit -->a recipe for delight.

Having read the book AGES ago and seen the movie, I was not prepared for how VERY much I would enjoy this audio. I was afraid that maybe it would be 'dated'. I was so wrong.

The story remais as witty, wry and wistful as it was thirty years ago. In fact I am more impressed now with its poise than I was the first time time I read it. I agree with the review of another reader: by the act of writing this book Nora Ephron transformed herself from victim to heroine of her own life.

Meryl Streep's reading adds so much to this audio. She always inhabits a role, but there was so much love and affection in her portrayal of Rachel Samstat. I feel her performance as a tribute to a life well-lived - the life of Nora Ephron. She was the very best choice of narrator for this story.

This audiobook was perfect, I can't think how it could have been better or I could have enjoyed it more.

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  • JulieS
  • 28-03-2019

Struggling through it!

I cant finish it. Not loving the way Meryl is reading it. her stops and goes and voice changes just don't work for me. i hate listening to the recipes - way too many. maybe this is better reading it yourself, but after five chapters I cant concentrate at all to listen.

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  • Sherri
  • 10-10-2013

Nora Ephron and Meryl Streep. What could go wrong?

Oh I love this book. I loved it when I first read it many years ago and I love it more now I've listened to Meryl Streep run down the steps so beautifully placed there by the writer, Nora Ephron. Even though it's fictionalised, it's pretty much a memoir from the time she was married to Watergate journalist, Carl Bernstein and even though it's gaspingly hurtful (for her) it's also hilarious (for us). Meryl is of course magnificent. I remember thinking what a wonderful character the mother was before realising - yep, still Meryl. Brilliant narrator, great writer and a very successful book. Do yourself a favour and head to the cart.

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  • Cami O.
  • 17-07-2013

Great narration! Delightful story!

What did you love best about Heartburn?

Story was great!! And who would do a better job at narrating this book than Meryl Streep who played the role of Nora Ephron in the movie Heartburn? Her voice and intonation will take you there!
The story was also great, didn’t see the movie yet and I am glad I didn’t. I also love food; all the recipes sprinkled throughout the book, spiced up the story. One day, while listening to Heartburn, when I felt blue, I used one of them and it was great!!
I highly recommend it!!

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  • Addie Owusu
  • 10-08-2018

Droned on and on!

I get that the book is about a divorce but the whole thing droned on and on and it was hard to stay focused on the story.

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  • Marie
  • 22-09-2013

You will need Mylanta after this!

If you could sum up Heartburn in three words, what would they be?

The book gave me heartburn. The story was really flat - another divorce story - no solutions, no depth of characters.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The only thing Ms. Ephron nailed were the description of the emotions of the characters. Yet there was no spice to the story and some aspects were unbelievable. The only spice given were the cusswords.

Have you listened to any of Meryl Streep’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Meryl Streep - but her performance was just ok.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No reaction, other than it was a credited wasted.

Any additional comments?

This book had great reviews, so I thought I give it a try. I have read better books about divorces, as tragic as that is, but this one was just mere average. Get the book on sale, don't waist a credit.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 25-10-2015

Love the narration

I loved the narration of this book; I thought Streep did a brilliant job, although I have to admit that, overall, the book wasn't as great as i hoped it'd be so I was a little disappointed.

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  • Peg
  • 15-12-2015

Brilliant

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

The best I've heard.

What did you like best about this story?

I picture Nora telling the story, but have to say Meryl made it better.

Which scene was your favorite?

Group therapy event. Can't make it up.

If you could take any character from Heartburn out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Of course, Rachel.

Any additional comments?

I have to watch the movie now.

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  • Lin Becker
  • 04-10-2018

In 1983, he cheated and she waited for him

Nora Ephron wrote this book in 1983. Meryl Streep who is absolutely amazing (at everything!) narrated this book in 2013. As such, there was such a jarring difference between a woman in 1983 just passively taking it while her husband cheated on her and how this would have been dealt with in 2013 or now in 2018. I just got so angry and was so full of rage that Rachel just pretty much sat there, pregnant, crying and cooking while Mark sneaked off to be with Thelma, buying her jewelry and going on vacations with her. Rachel watched power being taken away from her relationship and settled for being the victim, while justifying that she would never respond in a feminist manner. This was 1983. What a pathetic time to be a woman. Fortunately, Meryl Streep is the narrator and in the last 10 minutes of the book, one finally hears the strength, utter contempt and anger coming, served with key lime pie. I cannot believe that I stuck around listening for 5 hrs and 30 mins, and please enough already with the recipes! I needed the last 10 minutes of Meryl Streep to save this book.

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  • Czarniecka
  • 22-04-2018

inspiring and funny

It can sound in certain moments like a babbling of a member of a new-yorkee intelectual micro-cosmos but actually there is much more to it. It's funny, true and it's worth every minute of listning thanks to Meryl Streep's outstanding performance.

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  • Heather
  • 05-09-2013

So great!! I don't want it to end!

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

This is a great story - and the reading is just perfect.

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

Never read anything like it.

Which character – as performed by Meryl Streep – was your favourite?

Rachel.

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  • Cassie Reader
  • 02-07-2018

Did not enjoy the narration

Oh dear. This did not work.
Good narration lets the story be the star, not the narrator. Meryl Streep's narration was so mannered and so actorly. Deeply irritating and it got in the way of Nora Ephron's fine writing and sharp observations.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-05-2019

Enjoyed Meryl Streeps reading of this!

Light hearted, easy to listen to and very enjoyable. Meryl Streep reads the book brilliantly.

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  • Kay-Leigh de Sousa
  • 18-09-2017

Pioneer Chic Lit

I went into this was rather blind. This story was recommended in an article about famous people who have narrated stories. I didn't know who Nora Ephron was our that this was published in 1983! I only knew that Meryl Streep was the narrator and that was enough for me.
By the title, I assumed it would have to do with food and/or pregnancy. It does. Both.
Initially I was rather disappointed to discover that it was yet another cheating story. However, after I did some research about Nora, I realised that in 1983, this type of story was probably not that common. It is also loosely based on her own life.
As an aspiring writer, my favourite part of this book was the lack of adjectives. It's refreshing to see simple straightforward dialogue and be allowed to interpret the characters for yourself.
I'm OK with the low level of plot.

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  • Hilary T.
  • 07-07-2014

Unexpected pleasure

I knew nothing about Norah Ephron other than that she had been married to one of the Watergate journalists, Carl Bernstein, but I was attracted to this audiobook by the fact that it was narrated by the superlative actress, Meryl Streep. It did not disappoint. Meryl Streep really brings the story to life by putting persuasive emotion into the account of a woman who is cheated on by her husband when she is 8 months pregnant. It turns out that this is not the first time and the questions are - stay or go? forgive or not forgive? divorce or try and save the marriage? It could so easily have been a depressing and dire story, but it is not. It is whimsical on occasions, bitter on others, but never anything less than entertaining. I have since found out that Norah Ephron was a journalist, essayist, novelist, playwright, Oscar-nominated screenwriter and a movie director. So sad that such a multi- talented woman died at only 71. However, this beautifully performed audiobook is a great tribute to her memory. I recommend it.

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  • Mrs C
  • 01-05-2019

Wonderful, wry, honest and amusing

Nora Ephron is astute, self deprecating, hilarious, wry, touching and honest all in equal measure. This is the apparently fictional tale of the collapse of a marriage following the husband’s infidelity, but is effectively the account of Ephron’s own marriage to Carl Bernstein. I hadn’t realised that Merck Streep played the protagonist, Rachel, in the film of this book. Suffice to say Streep is a genius and this reading is as brilliant as everything else she does. I laughed and cried along with this audio book, it kept me enthralled through many long hours on the motorway, and I heartily recommend it to anyone - (except for people currently having an affair - those involved in infidelity do not come out of this book well!)

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  • Paris
  • 13-04-2019

Loved her voice

Methyl Streep made this story so real, I loved it. Not a happy tale, it shows real insight into the intricacies of relationships and how some are just beyond our control. A beautifully crafted story, the skill of the writer shone through. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-05-2019

Greatly improved by the genius of Meryl.

Funny in parts, somewhat dated now, but greatly improved by the genius of Meryl reading it.

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