All the Little Live Things Audiobook By Wallace Stegner cover art

All the Little Live Things

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All the Little Live Things

By: Wallace Stegner
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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About this listen

Joe Allston, the retired literary agent in Stegner’s National Book Award-winning novel The Spectator Bird, returns in this disquieting and keenly observed novel.

Scarred by the senseless death of their son and baffled by the engulfing chaos of the 1960s, Allston and his wife, Ruth, have left the coast for a California retreat. And although their new home looks like Eden, it also has its serpents: Jim Peck, a messianic exponent of drugs, yoga, and sex, and Marian Catlin, an attractive young woman whose otherwordly innocence is far more appealing—and far more dangerous.

©1967 Wallace Stegner (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Heartfelt Inspiring Tearjerking Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

“Timely and timeless....Will hold any reader to its last haunting page.” ( Chicago Tribune)
“A novel of crackling vividness.” ( New York Times Book Review)
Beautiful Prose • Masterful Writing • Well-drawn Characters • Vivid Descriptions • Emotional Depth • Perfect Voice Match
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Edward Hermann’s narration is masterful. Steiner’s powers of observation and expression fantastic. Not a joyful book.

Intense observation

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Brilliant book with superb narration. I absolutely loved how real and relatable these characters were and how expertly written it was. Herrmann captured each character's nuances beautifully.

Brilliant Book!

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This pastorale novel of life in a rural Ca land ranch bristles with life in all its manifestations. It will be with mor a long time. Heartbreaking and human.

Brilliant Prose beautifully read

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Truly beautiful writing. Ed Herman's performance is intimate and heartbreaking. The best kind of Audible experience. I highly recommend this and the previous novel in this series The Spectator Bird.

Stunning Writing and Performance

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While looking for my next “listen” ALL THE LITTLE LIVE THINGS caught my attention. Unfamiliar with Wallace Stegner, I was curious about what I would find in his writing style.
As someone intrigued with the human experience, it didn’t take me long to feel good about my selection.
Narration by Edward Herrmann brought this soul touching story about the challenges we, as human beings, face in our relationships with one another to life in both my heart and mind.
A very BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN story enhanced by WONDERFUL narration!

A NEW DISCOVERY

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Beautiful language, broad story and the very best reader that has ever lived, Edward Hermann. ❤️

Very thoughtful & moving

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This was my 1st Stegner novel and the prose blew me away. Some of the ideas, words and actions are dated but the overall concepts of life, love, grief and nature stand the test of time. Although deeply moving at times, I just wish the ending would have floored me...but unfortunately it didn't. Overall though, a fine novel and one worth spending your time with. Lastly, if there were Oscars for narrators, Mr. Herrmann would have one sitting on his shelf. A masterful performance.

Beautifully written, slightly dated.

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Ed Herrmann provides a masterful performance of this under-appreciated Stegner novel. Listening was a treat, a privilege. Read it (or listen)!

Herrmann Strikes Again

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The emotions are raw and real. Thoughtful and disconcerting at times. His point of view is real and empathy a joy.

Enjoyed this tale from the older viewpoint

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I can’t praise Edward Herrmann’s narration enough. He captures the voice of Stegner’s Joe Allston perfectly. It’s such a joy to listen to. This sequel to The Spectator Bird is so rich and beautiful as any of Stegner’s work. And Edward Herrmann’s performance makes it even more wonderful. I highly recommend.

Edward Herrmann brings Stegner to Life

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