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Dear Edward

By: Ann Napolitano
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK AS FEATURED ON TODAY • “Make sure you have tissues handy when you read [this] sure-footed tearjerker” (NPR) about a young boy who must learn to go on after surviving tragedy, from the author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick Hello Beautiful.

Now streaming as an Apple TV+ series starring Connie Britton, written and executive produced by Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights and Parenthood)

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, Parade, LibraryReads

What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live?

One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them are a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured veteran returning from Afghanistan, a business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. Halfway across the country, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.

Edward’s story captures the attention of the nation, but he struggles to find a place in a world without his family. He continues to feel that a part of himself has been left in the sky, forever tied to the plane and all of his fellow passengers. But then he makes an unexpected discovery—one that will lead him to the answers of some of life’s most profound questions: When you’ve lost everything, how do you find the strength to put one foot in front of the other? How do you learn to feel safe again? How do you find meaning in your life?

Dear Edward is at once a transcendent coming-of-age story, a multidimensional portrait of an unforgettable cast of characters, and a breathtaking illustration of all the ways a broken heart learns to love again.

Praise for Dear Edward

Dear Edward is that rare book that breaks your heart and stitches it back together during a reading experience that leaves you profoundly altered for the better.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Mad Honey

“Will lead you toward something wonderous, something profound.”—Kevin Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of Now Is Not the Time to Panic

©2020 Ann Napolitano (P)2020 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“A surprisingly uplifting story, full of hope and dry humor, with an underlying, noncloying message about the decency of strangers.”The New York Times Book Review

“A harrowing yet ultimately optimistic story about the sole survivor of a plane crash.”O: The Oprah Magazine

“A haunting novel that’s a masterful study in suspense, grief and survival . . . Napolitano’s fearless examination of what took place models a way forward for all of us. She takes care not to sensationalize, presenting even the most harrowing scenes in graceful, understated prose, and gives us a powerful book about living a meaningful life during the most difficult of times.”The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

Featured Article: 50+ Undying Quotes About Life from Acclaimed Authors


Though it's hard to argue with Merriam-Webster, we all know that life means something more than the standard dictionary definition—or, at least, we want it to. If you're searching for insights into the meaning of life, or words of inspiration to make your life more meaningful, there's no better source than authors of great works of literature. From Shakespeare to Alice Walker, from Jane Austen to Saul Bellow, iconic authors have a lot to say about life.

What listeners say about Dear Edward

Average customer ratings
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life and how and why to live it

love the narrator! love the author! love the book.
it is a very unconventional 'coming of age' book,

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Could have been a perfect read

This was a great book to listen to... except for an unnecessary surplus of f- words that, in my way of thinking, drops it from good literature to just a contemporary novel. The author has great talent and her work is well researched. But because of this, I'm not likely to recommend it in my circle of friends.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A truly heartwarming book

This book told through the eyes of Edward was a heartwarming story that honestly looks at the world of a young plane crash survivor when he has lost everything. A well told story and well narrated

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

Meh...Okay

I was kind of disappointed in this book. I had a hard time finishing it because it was hard to follow a little bit. it moved around a little too much. and honestly the storyline was that great, in my opinion. It's an okay story to listen to while you're on a plane for hours. so there's that. I hope that helps. just overall not that impressed. I was glad when the story ended.

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

Well written and thoughtful

... my only hesitations in not giving it a higher rating is on me - not the author. The impending doom of a plane going down was - as it should be - anxious to say the least. But under current conditions of a country in flux and divided, COVID 19 worldwide I am not sure the certainty of a plane crashing was right for me at this time. Now, that said, all books I enjoy and quite simply feel are quite good get three stars. Four stars is exceptional and five is mind blowing. Author and Performer were both solid here

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Tender Coming of Age

Napolitano wrote an outstanding Need A Box of Tissues book. I highly recommend taking this journey of recovery with Edward.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Dear Edward plods

Dear God, I made it. There is beautiful writing but if you’re looking for entertainment, this is not the book. I am amazed that a book with such a low and plodding arc of a storyline made it into print. Edward’s story could have been compelling, but it was largely boring. Even his revelatory moments were dull. Of course, that’s how life is. But if you want an escape from how life is do not read this book. If you want a plodding reflection that is as vague in its meaningful moments as our actual day-to-day tends to be, then you will be satisfied.

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

Fear of Flying?

If you’ve ever been in a plane and felt that pang of fear upon a rough landing or turbulence, fear no more. Whether you survive a crash or not, you will live on, just like Eddie and Jordan.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great read

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. The story gripped from the first word and it all wrapped up perfectly. 🛩

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Dear Edward is a treasure

Started the book thinking I was going to spend a lot of time being sad. Instead, I was involved in each characters particular place in the world and had such a sense of hope for not only Edward but for everyone. It was beautifully written and will be one of the few books I reread

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