Try free for 30 days

  • I'm Thinking of Ending Things

  • By: Iain Reid
  • Narrated by: Candace Thaxton
  • Length: 5 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (124 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
I'm Thinking of Ending Things cover art

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

By: Iain Reid
Narrated by: Candace Thaxton
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Soon to be a Netflix film directed by Charlie Kaufman

Jake and his girlfriend are on a drive to visit his parents at their remote farm. After dinner at the family home, things begin to get worryingly strange. And when he leaves her stranded in a snowstorm at an abandoned high school later that night, what follows is a chilling exploration of psychological frailty and the limitations of reality. 

Iain Reid's intense, suspenseful debut novel will have listeners' nerves jangling. A series of tiny clues sprinkled through the relentlessly paced narrative culminate in a haunting twist. Reminiscent of Michael Faber's Under the Skin, Stephen King's Misery and the novels of José Saramago, I'm Thinking of Ending Things is an astonishing and highly original literary thriller that grabs you from the start - and never lets go.

©2016 Iain Reid (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"In a novel this engaging, bizarre and twisted, it shouldn't come as a surprise that its ending is even stranger than the narrative route that takes us there...but it does. Reid's novel is a road trip to the heart of creepyness." (Sjon)  

"I'm Thinking of Ending Things is one of the best debut novels I've ever read. Iain Reid has crafted a tight, ferocious little book, with a persistent tenor of suspense that tightens and mounts toward its visionary, harrowing final pages." (Scott Heim)  

"Here are some near-certainties about I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Number One: You're going to read it fast. Over the course of an afternoon or an evening. The momentum is unstoppable once you start, you won't be able to stop. And Two: once you race to the end and understand the significance of those final pages, you won't be able to stop thinking about it. This novel will find a spot in your heart and head and it will live there - for days, weeks, months, or (in my case) the rest of your life. Yes. It really is that good." (Nick Cutter)

What listeners say about I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    68
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    73
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    28
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible!

Not going too much into the storyline itself for fear of revealing spoilers, but this book is incredible for so many reasons! The performance from Candace Thaxton was very good too. It was very rare that I would have to think about who was speaking. Granted, this is not a book one can idly listen to while doing other things. I had to focus on what was being said and what was being happening to understand the climax of the book, but the payoff was well worth the effort. Definitely recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Compelled a one-sitting listen

The narratress's voice is far too frantic. One of those audiobook readers who has the habit of putting too much emphasis on every line, every word (I found Andy Serkis like this). It makes the dialogue too fraught, makes the characters sound like they're always annoyed, makes every conversation an argument. I assume it's just the default vocal pattern she falls into with all her books. Reading the lines on the page they would be much more languid, low-key I think, and therefore more eerie. However the twist that comes in the narration toward the end was unexpected and very good (I wonder what it looked like on the page?).

As for the story, what I thought at first (going mostly off the Netflix movie trailer) was going to be a low-key postmodern vaguely feminist familial/folk horror piece turned out to in fact be a genuinely haunting, though not very harrowing, postmodern exploration of mental illness in a way that felt to me at least truly original. The 'twist' I saw coming, if not a mile away, then at least a good few hundred yards away. How very sad. And more than a little close to home.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Couldnt stop listening

I loved it… so clever…wish i had written it… performance also very well done

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect narration

And a strong story. I hope to hear more from Ian Reid in Audible soon

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected

Pointless story. I wasted my time hoping it would turn into something worthwhile. It just went on in an aimless journey to an uninspired ridiculous ending.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Confusing

I’m still not entirely sure I know what happened even after the end, a bit too philosophical for my taste.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

The performance was great, I was hooked right up until the end but was let down by yet another story using mental illness as a plot device and in doing so, leaning into incredibly harmful stereotypes. The ending was so disappointing and frankly I’m tired of seeing films and reading books use lazy writing and label it a psychological masterpiece.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Chilling

The beginning of the book is seemingly normal, but eventually makes the reader unsettled as the story progresses. Big twist at the end, highly recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Had high hopes for this story as it was recommended and meant to be a really good horror book, but was confusing, the suspense didn't really lead to anything and there are so many unanswered questions.
This is just my opinion though, you may love this book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Just watch the movie

I never say that, but seriously, almost everything interesting about the movie was Charlie Kaufmans idea. I feel like I've wasted six hours. At least its got pretty good dialogue in it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Sylvia Polini
  • Sylvia Polini
  • 25-08-2020

Thrilling

I love the ending, it’s definitely one that will leave you thinking a lot ! I can’t wait to watch the movie once it’s out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kimberly
  • Kimberly
  • 11-03-2021

brilliant!!

it was absolute well written. I enjoyed every minute of it , love it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 10-01-2021

Weird af

Interesting story. Didn’t get it the first time. Don’t think I’ll ever get it but will read as many times as possible.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Walter Medenbach
  • Walter Medenbach
  • 14-11-2020

Excptional

This is an example of a book that is best listened to rather than read. Looking back, seeing the film first only heightened the ending when listening to the book. I need to see the film again, did I miss something.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kerry
  • Kerry
  • 23-10-2020

I was both bored and intrigued

Spoilers

To be honest I have no clue what actually just happened, I'm very confused. At the end it felt as if I'd just watched the movie Identity, with the guy who tells a story, but all the characters were parts of his personality and it was all in his head. Is that what happened here? I found it intriguing but it was also pretty boring for the most part. I'm glad i read it, but I doubt I will still be thinking about it by tomorrow.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Conor Heff
  • Conor Heff
  • 06-11-2021

A bad philosophy book disguised as a novel

I feel robbed of 5hrs of my life. why did I finish you ask? thought it would go somewhere. may as well have ended with "and then I woke up". much to think about

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Gabi O.
  • Gabi O.
  • 19-10-2020

Great story - probably better in paper form

Loved this story and listened to the whole thing over a few days. However, I think this might be one of those books which is better in paper form. I have subsequently bought the book and especially towards the end, there were certain aspects, like italicised writing and repeated phrases, which have a greater visual impact. Still thoroughly enjoyed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Harry Stone
  • Harry Stone
  • 24-08-2020

Like a very long Black Mirror episode

Outstanding narration, gripping storytelling. This audiobook is in essence a 5 hour Black Mirror episode.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for H E Perkins
  • H E Perkins
  • 07-03-2022

Really makes you think

Just couldn't stop listening to this! Really well done and makes you think so much!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for sinead cuthbert
  • sinead cuthbert
  • 16-09-2020

An enveloping sense of unease and wonder

Powerful story, compelling journey. Watched the movie, and both book and film are captivating in their own separate ways. The tension towards the end really crept up on me. A wonderful sense of unease. Enjoyed this immensely.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for I ain't givin' you no name
  • I ain't givin' you no name
  • 06-08-2020

atmospheric and creepy but ultimately fizzles out

An intriguing narrative draws you in and gives genuine creeps without it being clear why. ultimately though the story falls into the trappings of a lot of 'twist' narratives where most of the narrative feels redundant once you know then ending.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Olly
  • Olly
  • 16-05-2020

I'm Thinking of The Ending... A Lot!

I'll be honest, this book was probably a 2, maybe 3-star at best, before the final third. This is definitely one of those that hinges on the ending whether someone will like the book or not. For me, it makes everything I read up to that point make sense and has had me replaying the events of story over in my head ever since. It completely floored me. Which isn’t something I thought about 4 hours into this 5-and-a-half hours audiobook as, while I was never bored, I was oftentimes thinking where the seemingly meandering plot was heading. I’m glad I knew nothing about the plot when starting the read as I felt it was incredibly rewarding to discover the story as it was being told, regardless of how frustrating some of the elements were.

Would highly recommend for fans of horror, and as said before, try going into this one cold.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 20-11-2023

Just pure brilliance

This book is brilliant, not much else to say really. Reid creates a story that is so grimly disturbing but that you don’t want to put down for even a second.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for MISS SARAH E RYAN
  • MISS SARAH E RYAN
  • 14-11-2023

Physical book may be better

Found the audiobook very hard to follow - I've since found the book has italicised portions etc to denote different occurrences which is lost in this. Didn't get any of the suspense as often couldn't figure out what was happening / who was talking

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.