Formentera Audiobook By Norman Ollestad cover art

Formentera

A Short Story

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Formentera

By: Norman Ollestad
Narrated by: Eric Yves Garcia, Taylor Meskimen
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From New York Times best-selling author Norman Ollestad comes a captivating short story about the fraying relationship of a married couple and the bold, messy explorations of intimacy that only seem possible far away from home.

Jim Stenson has been flown to the bohemian island of Formentera for a monthlong gig: writing a screenplay for a famous Spanish director, loosely based on the classic French film Contempt. With his career flagging, Jim is determined to make the most of the opportunity. But the director raises the stakes, pushing Jim to draw inspiration for the script from his strained relationship with his wife Anna.

Anna arrives on the island with her own agenda, thinking this long-overdue break from her psychotherapy practice will offer a chance to clear her head and, perhaps, even reignite a spark in her marriage. Languid days and emotionally charged nights create a dynamic neither expects. And when Jim's writing and their time together begin to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, they must decide: Is this an opportunity for a breakthrough or the beginning of the end?

©2021 Norman Ollestad (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC. Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Marriage Short Stories

About the Creator

Norman Ollestad, a New York Times best-selling author, was born in Los Angeles. His books include Crazy for the Storm (an Amazon best book of the year; published in 15 countries), Gravity, and French Girl with Mother. His work has appeared in TIME, Outside, and Men’s Journal. He lives in Ojai, California, with his family.
Photo credit: Jeff Lipsky

Eric Yves Garcia
Taylor Meskimen

About the Performer

Eric Yves Garcia spins stories into a mic, whether alone in a booth or onstage with a piano. An actor and musician, Eric has voiced several mysteries, thrillers, YA, and romance, as well as non-fiction titles in history, self-help, memoir, and, uniquely, recipes. Eric's roles in multi-cast audio plays range from kids to classics, including Little Women starring Laura Dern, highlighted by Entertainment Weekly. As an award-winning singer/pianist, he has performed most nights of every week across NYC for more than a decade while also touring the US, UK, and Europe. His solo reviews have been published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time Out New York, and Chicago Tribune. Of the two gigs, the narrator wardrobe is decidedly more breathable.
Photo Credit: Xanthe Elbrick

About the Performer

Taylor Meskimen is an award-winning narrator who has been recording characters for audiobooks since she was in her early teens. She is also an accomplished actor, musician, and improviser who has performed throughout LA at many venues. The daughter of actor and narrator Jim Meskimen, and the granddaughter of TV's Marion Ross, of Happy Days fame, she comes from a family steeped in theater, with a love of the written word.

All stars
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it was good to listen to just to escape what's going on around you. it got confusing at times but pretty simple to catch up after a few lines. I wouldn't pay for the book but not bad for being free.

good short listen

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An evocative exploration of a married couple testing the boundaries of their own sexual appetites in order to reignite the spark. Expertly matched to the medium of the auditory short story, and especially great if listened to in headphones (Garcia is fantastic as Jim). With the carnal charge of Henry Miller and the astute exposition of James Salter, the author creates an immediate escape tinged with the melancholy of desires not met. Deftly crafted, Formentera makes for a wholly perfect summertime listen!

Great story breezes by, needs a sequel!

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I thoroughly enjoyed the craftsmanship and escape. Norman Ollestad has proven himself once again. My only complaint is I wanted more. Thank you.

Language. Twisted relationships. Formentera.

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Formentera completely swept me away to that small Spanish island and into the complex web of characters and the intense drama of a complicated multi layered marriage. Ollestad is a master with painting the backdrop and of immediately drawing the reader into this world and this marraige. I just finished and am starting it again and looking forward to catching all the nuance the second time around. Highly recommended!!

A complete escape

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I love listening to Taylor Meskimen but the story reminded of a book I just listened to that she narrated so the story was just okay because the characters were almost like the other one

It was okay

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Excellent, engaging story. I have recommended it to many of my friends. Looking forward to reading more of Norman Ollestad’s books!

Excellent

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I didn’t want the story to end!
The cadence of the voice and the visuals of the sultry sea, this story instantly took me away.
I felt the tensions of the characters and at moments felt like I was sitting in on a Ester Perel therapy session.
The story was exciting but complex and I wanted to read more.
Hope this can be the beginning of an interesting series!

A perfect storm of events in the calm blue sea.

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An engaging story that transports the listener to the colors and textures of the Mediterranean while navigating the complexities, vulnerabilities, fantasies and tension that exists in relationships as told from two perspectives with unfiltered candor. Fans of Ollestad will enjoy the subtly veiled references to past works including his best-selling memoir, Crazy for the Storm. A perfect early Summer "read."

Engaging & Provocative

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Incredible writing and voice overs that pulls you into the mix. So many layers and dynamics in play: vulnerability/power, love/lust, inspiration/art, commitment/betrayal and the 5 or so different juxtaposed bilateral relationships. Amazing how the writer weaved a web of storytelling and relationships and cat’s cradled himself with Jim and Anna !! Bravo

Entranced and engaging!

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Bottom line. I did not want this story to end! Jim and Annas journey in Formentera only makes me wonder what happens to them next. This is a sexy summer listen and you’ll be looking up flights to Spain before you even finish.

More please!

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