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How to Murder Your Life

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How to Murder Your Life

By: Cat Marnell
Narrated by: Cat Marnell
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About this listen

At the age of 15, Cat Marnell unknowingly set out to murder her life. After a privileged yet emotionally starved childhood in Washington, she became hooked on ADHD medication provided by her psychiatrist father. This led to a dependence on Xanax and other prescription drugs at boarding school, and she experimented with cocaine, ecstasy - whatever came her way. By 26 she was a talented 'doctor shopper' who manipulated Upper East Side psychiatrists into giving her never-ending prescriptions; her life had become a twisted merry-go-round of parties and pills at night and trying to hold down a high-profile job at Condé Nast during the day. With a complete lack of self-pity and an honesty that is almost painful, Cat describes the crazed euphoria, terrifying comedowns and horrendous guilt she feels lying to those who try to help her. Writing in a voice that is utterly magnetic - prompting comparisons to Bret Easton Ellis and Charles Bukowski - she captures something essential about both her generation and our times. Profoundly divisive and controversial, How to Murder Your Life is a unforgettable, charged account of a young female addict so close to throwing her entire life away.

©2017 Cat Marnell (P)2017 Random House Audiobooks Addiction & Recovery Women Substance abuse Mental Health Health
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Really liked this book, enjoyed it more on Audible with Cat narrating though. Not the happiest story but certainly entertaining, and for those that like a bit of gossip about Conde and the industry definitely fun.

Narrator really makes it work

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In the well-trodden genre of drug writeoff stories, this isn't bad. Our protagonist has a hugely dysfunctional family, hits the drugs super-hard, goes from high -flying to gutter dwelling, and has some reasonable anecdotes. Unfortunately, the narration is done in a voice that is this sing-song, spoilt kid voice that still seems quietly proud of the level of damage and manipulation she is speaking of. Over time, you start to feel like another person in the lone who she is trying to charm into forgiving her for being a pretty blonde woman with huge privilege who managed to use this to survive, and even gain infamy, from an addictive streak that would have killed less rich, white people in half the time.

A not-bad drug trainwreck wrecked by the narrator

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What did you like most about How to Murder Your Life?

I literally could not stop listening to this book. It took me just 3 days to finish it, the quickest I've ever gotten through an audible book. Cat's Drew Barrymoresque voice as she retells quite horrific experiences feels like you've got a friend in the room with you laughing, crying and shrieking through it. I loved all the references to what she was wearing clothing and beauty wise plus all her TMZ pop culture references also.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Murder Your Life?

There are so many insane things in this book it's hard to pin it down, what stuck with me was in every situation you could sense her desperate loneliness and her need for a real connection with someone. It was haunting.

What does Cat Marnell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Her gorgeous voice complete with crazy sound effects. Plus you really hear the pain in her voice as she retells horrible things that she's experienced. And her impressions of different people's voices especially her father's are hilarious.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship with her sister throughout the book from her sister being sent away as a teenager to desperately trying to save Cat from an overdose as an adult.

Any additional comments?

As an Aussie girl around the same age as Cat I was able to follow every reference she gave in the book. However I had never heard of her or followed her columns in the day and only knew of her through vague references in pop culture. This didn't matter tho, throughout the book I found myself rooting for her the whole time and willing her to get better, whilst feeling her neediness and despair. It made for intense listening and I just could not stop.

Addictive Listening (bad pun I know!)

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What made the experience of listening to How to Murder Your Life the most enjoyable?

I'm a programmer in tech, and i discovered her from one of her viral 'accidental' articles. My life has also been shaped by such 'accidents' which made my parents cringe and want to send me away, but when i look back, i fricken wouldnt change them for the world. Fascinated by cat, i dug deeper. All my other audible purchases were tech books and biographies, but this had me from start to finish.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Murder Your Life?

Story after story. But I just loved how underneath it all she had her role models who she acknowledged and appreciated in a way that makes you realise how important these leaders are (but seldom exist, or are never encouraged in professional life). It moved me how one simple letter that she kept by her bed side kept her moving forward and gave her value\purpose. DO MORE OF THESE LITTLE THINGS PEOPLE.

What about Cat Marnell’s performance did you like?

I fricken loved her as a narrator. And i'm aussie, and often the yank accident can grind away at my ability to persist. But no Cat had expression in all the right places. Emphasis and confidence without arrogance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Her credits at the end, and the things she remembered most from all her experiences with individuals that affected her. Especially her 'lucky mag' boss.

Any additional comments?

Ive been her (but a guy) and just amazed how many similar stories i have. Except none of the bosses which have nurtured me like her. What a difference they make.

I'm a dude and i just loved this. Swooon

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The book starts with her chewing on crisps and from that original start we are gifted a original...… this was not boring, even although for me the most boring thing you could talk about (besides real estate) is fashion and make up. I really liked this - and l sorta wish l took drugs when l was younger.... I think Cat goes her own way.... and the world might be better it. I do hope she lives long and eventually gives us another book.

Well that was different

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I would highly recommend this book! So amazingly read, 10/10 from me. If you don't like listening to drug abuse, etc then it's not for you.

Intense!

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And I say this as a millennial writer. Some of the pop culture references have the unfortunate effect of dating the work. Does a tangential mention of the ice bucket challenge stand the test of time? I’m not so sure.

It’s a fascinating story, though it does feel disjointed at times (which makes sense when you get to the afterword).

The narration can be grating at points, particularly when the author is mimicking her own hysterical voice.

Interesting but deeply millennial

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I couldn't stop listening, Cat has a great voice and her story was compelling, albeit it was a bit repetitive and trashy - but she even admits that.

This took me a day and a half

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Listen this is an easy / uneasy listen - amusing to hear all of the goss on the micro celebs I worshipped in high-school via NY night life photography websites and the many mags mentioned in the story. The performance though, it’s hard to listen to. Soo much wailing and screeching. Maybe a voice actress should have taken this role on. Overall, enjoyable.

It’s a bender - some highs and lows

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I agree with some other reviews that this book is quite privileged. I acknowledge this. Cat does as well which is what you'd want. This book is fantastically written and spoken. It highlights themes that many other memoirs relating to addiction do not (as far as I've found); prescription and stimulants. This book really helped me look at myself and gave me hope for my journey. I find myself listening to this over and over just to reaffirm strength in the author and myself. This book changed my life, thank you Cat.

5/5 My Favourite Book Ever

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