
A Good Hard Look
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Debra Monk
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By:
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Ann Napolitano
About this listen
From the New York Times bestselling author of Hello Beautiful and Dear Edward, a novel set in Flannery O'Connor's hometown of Milledgeville, and a tragedy that forever alters the town and the author herself
"A wholly believable world shaped by duty, small pleasures, and fateful choices."—O, The Oprah Magazine
Forced by illness to leave behind a successful life in New York, literary icon Flannery O'Connor has returned to her family farm in the small town of Milledgeville, Georgia. With her health and time both limited, all she wants is to be left alone to write.
But Flannery's plans are soon upended by Melvin Whiteson, a banker from Manhattan who has recently married the town belle. Melvin is at loose ends with his new life; though he has every opportunity, he's not sure where to begin. Flannery knows exactly what she wants, but is running out of time. Through their unusual and clandestine friendship, both will come to reflect on the decisions they have made and the paths they have chosen.
Literary history and fiction gracefully intersect in this emotionally charged novel of small town Southern life, which asks us all to consider how we can live our lives to the fullest.
©2011 Ann Napolitano (P)2011 PenguinListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“In A Good Hard Look, Ann Napolitano creates a fictional version of the life of the acclaimed southern writer that is as vibrantly colorful as the peacocks raised on the O’Connor family farm in Milledgeville, Georgia…Napolitano makes no attempt to mimic O’Connor’s singular style, but she does succeed in creating a wholly believable world shaped by duty, small pleasures, and fateful choices.”—O Magazine
“Napolitano’s protagonist is a marvelously outspoken, uncompromising force who becomes the impetus for several fictional Milledgeville residents to reassess and radically alter their lives…[Napolitano] has spun an absorbing, old-fashioned tale about how, as in Flannery O’Connor’s stories, ‘Grace changes a person….And change is painful.’”—The Washington Post
“To brand this a quaint period piece…would be doing Napolitano’s evocative tale of friendship and community a disservice.”—Entertainment Weekly
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Incomplete
- By Deborah on 04-24-08
By: Ann Patchett
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Same as It Ever Was
- A Novel
- By: Claire Lombardo
- Narrated by: Emily Rankin
- Length: 18 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Julia Ames, after a youth marked by upheaval and emotional turbulence, has found herself on the placid plateau of mid-life. But Julia has never navigated the world with the equanimity of her current privileged class. Having nearly derailed herself several times, making desperate bids for the kind of connection that always felt inaccessible to her, she finally feels, at age fifty seven, that she has a firm handle on things. She’s unprepared, though, for what comes next.
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Long winded
- By Brooke on 09-17-24
By: Claire Lombardo
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State of Wonder
- A Novel
- By: Ann Patchett
- Narrated by: Hope Davis
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Research scientist Dr. Marina Singh is sent to Brazil to track down her former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who seems to have disappeared in the Amazon while working on an extremely valuable new drug. The last person who was sent to find her died before he could complete his mission. Plagued by trepidation, Marina embarks on an odyssey into the insect-infested jungle in hopes of finding answers to the questions about her friend's death, her company's future, and her own past.
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Do yourself a favor and listen to this book!
- By F. B. H. In TN on 06-10-11
By: Ann Patchett
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My Name Is Lucy Barton
- A Novel
- By: Elizabeth Strout
- Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her. Gentle gossip about people from Lucy’s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to reconnect them, but just below the surface lie the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters. Knitting this powerful narrative together is the brilliant storytelling voice of Lucy herself.
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Because we all love imperfectly.
- By Bonny on 01-15-16
By: Elizabeth Strout
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The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits
- A Novel
- By: Jennifer Weiner
- Narrated by: Dakota Fanning
- Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Hollywood star Dakota Fanning narrates the audio of one of the most anticipated books of the year, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner. A glimmering novel set in the world of 2000s pop music about sisters, motherhood, young love, and the dreams we chase. The audio edition includes an original song inspired by the novel.
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Looooong
- By Erin on 04-18-25
By: Jennifer Weiner
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Her Deadly Game
- Keera Duggan, Book 1
- By: Robert Dugoni
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
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Keera Duggan was building a solid reputation as a Seattle prosecutor, until her romantic relationship with a senior colleague ended badly. For the competitive former chess prodigy, returning to her family’s failing criminal defense law firm to work for her father is the best shot she has. With the right moves, she hopes to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father, and her career.
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Legal thriller filled with twists!
- By Wayne on 03-28-23
By: Robert Dugoni
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We Begin at the End
- By: Chris Whitaker
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Duchess Day Radley is a 13-year-old self-proclaimed outlaw. Rules are for other people. She is the fierce protector of her five-year-old brother, Robin, and the parent to her mother, Star, a single mom incapable of taking care of herself, let alone her two kids. Walk has never left the coastal California town where he and Star grew up. He may have become the chief of police, but he’s still trying to heal the old wound of having given the testimony that sent his best friend, Vincent King, to prison decades before. And he's in overdrive protecting Duchess and her brother.
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Horrible narrator in this audible book
- By M. patton on 03-03-21
By: Chris Whitaker
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Black Cake
- A Novel
- By: Charmaine Wilkerson
- Narrated by: Lynnette R. Freeman, Simone Mcintyre
- Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.
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Wonderful Listen
- By Regina on 02-04-22
What listeners say about A Good Hard Look
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-09-24
Very good story!
Loved the analogy with the birds and very well narrated. Didn’t think I was going to like it at first but I really did! The author can tell a story very well!
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- Beth Cordello
- 03-16-25
Beautiful
The first half of the book is a slow go, but it is worth it
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- Olive Elaine Hinnant
- 05-19-23
Great
The story is good and it’s read well. Keeps you interested the whole way. Thanks.
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- Kleman
- 07-07-23
Interesting
An interesting look at the intertwined lives of big town and small town people in Milledgeville GA
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- Amazon Customer
- 05-27-24
Another excellent novel
I really enjoy Ann Napolitano’s books. The characters in this one pull you in and feel so real. I finished listening to it in 2 days!! Like all her books, this one is excellent.
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Overall
- Trishie
- 11-17-21
loved it but...
I enjoyed this book but was disappointed at the end felt like author was just too tired to finish would have loved a more final sentiment after getting to know the characters.. I will miss them all
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1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-06-25
Historical Historical Fiction
I love a story that gives me
A good view of a real person. Although this is
Story, the peek into this amazing author’s life was both entertaining and fulfilling. The characters built around her and how they touched each other’s lives is unwound with so much grace. I didn’t even see the plot twist coming until it hit me
Square on in te face.
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- Jennifer Peden
- 02-08-23
A rare five star
I only read 4 1/2 stars and up, as a rule. I rarely give five stars. If I liked it, I give 4 stars and I usually don’t review books that I didn’t like a lot. I get five stars when a book is poignant and memorable and leaves a lasting impression. This book was amazing and brilliantly presented.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Bridget Fidler
- 05-17-24
Amazing Story!
A really engrossing story superbly narrated. Really brought Flannery O’Connor to life. Fully dimensional in the character development.
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- Beth
- 10-21-23
Just ok….
Ann Napolitano is a beautiful writer. I discovered her recently when her latest novel was released (2023), Hello Beautiful, and then I read Dear Edward. I’m so glad I read HB first because had I read A Good Hard Look first, I may not have read her again. I struggle finding novels with an original but somewhat “believable” story line, and one in particular in this book fell flat for me. I love her style though and that’s what kept me going because this wasn’t a favorite, it was just ok. It was nice though to see her growth as a writer because HB fit all the criteria for me. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for her next book. ☺️
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1 person found this helpful