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  • In the Lives of Puppets

  • By: TJ Klune
  • Narrated by: Daniel Henning
  • Length: 15 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (36 ratings)

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In the Lives of Puppets

By: TJ Klune
Narrated by: Daniel Henning
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Publisher's Summary

From New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, In the Lives of Puppets is a queer retelling of the Pinocchio tale, inviting you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees live three robots – fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe.

The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled ‘HAP’, he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio – a past spent hunting humans.

When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.

Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: can he accept love with strings attached?

Inspired by Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful standalone fantasy adventure from the author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.

©2023 TJ Klune (P)2023 Macmillan Audio
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: LGBTQ+

What listeners say about In the Lives of Puppets

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing narrator!

I am so glad I chose to listen to the audio instead of reading, Danny is fantastic and when I go back to read chapters, I hear his voice.

This story is so sweet, it left an ache in me afterwards I haven’t experienced in a long time. An easy 5 stars, that I have not given in a long time. The story was about humanity, friendship, what is a soul, how to forgive, how love overcomes, and consequences. I am curious what else this author has written, if they all end just as bitter sweet.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

enchanting

loved it. wonderful charaters that take you on a journey that is both fun and a little dark.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic Narration and great Characters

The Narration was so spot on in this. I was able to have these characters in my head so well and have cast each in the movie. Story moves at a good pace and more Rambo and Nurse Ratched,they are perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic, but a little too much innuendo

Loved the sweet slow burn, the world building, and the found family. Felt like the innuendos were funny initially, but they kept on throughout quite a lot of the story. Don't let it put you off though, it's fantastic in so many other ways.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Futuristic Pinocchio

Turns out I had to be in the right mood to listen to this. When I finally was, I loved it.

In a world where it is mostly androids, some still seek human companionship. They way this was written made it a truly beautiful story. A story about differences and love and the lengths one would go to for love.

The narrator did an amazing job bringing all the characters to life. It was truly impressive.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved every minute

This was the third book of TJ Klune that I have read. The others being The house under the Cerulean sea, Under the whispering door and now In the lives of puppets.
It’s a enchanting story full of funny, thrilling and magical moments. I particularly loved the narration by Daniel Henning, he takes you on the stories journey with individual voices for each character. My by far favourite character was Rambo, he was soooo brave.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Absolutely lovely.

Daniel Hennig does a beautiful job of bringing TJ Klune’s gorgeous words to life. Profound moments and messages sprinkled in with humour and warmth. A really delightful read.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great character narration

Really enjoyed Part I - great banter between the characters. Thought some of the character interaction was lost in the second half, and but enjoyed it overall. Simple story arc with some not so subtle moral observations along the way, superb narration throughout.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A really great book

This is an uplifting story that has a message of acceptance. It leaves you feeling good.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Judge a book by its cover

I purchased this book as the cover suggested it to be an enchanting adventure, and it was spot on. I cannot recommend this book enough, my heart breaks that I have finished it. The passion from both the author and narrator shines through in this magical experience

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