Heartbreak Audiobook By Florence Williams cover art

Heartbreak

A Personal and Scientific Journey

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Heartbreak

By: Florence Williams
Narrated by: Florence Williams
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About this listen

In this intimate and voyeuristic audiobook, Florence Williams uses her personal voice diary and journals and conversations with experts, family, and friends to explore the fascinating, cutting-edge science of heartbreak while seeking creative ways to mend her own.

For fans of Wild and Lab Girl, Heartbreak "thrives as an audiobook" (New York Times Book Review), merging science and self-discovery in an immersive experience that changes the way we think about loneliness, health, and what it means to fall in and out of love. When her twenty-five-year marriage unexpectedly falls apart, journalist Florence Williams expects the loss to hurt. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll end up in the hospital, examining close-up the way our cells listen to loneliness. She travels to the frontiers of the science of “social pain” to learn why heartbreak hurts so much and why so much of the conventional wisdom about it is wrong. Searching for insight as well as personal strategies to game her way back to health, Williams tests her blood for genetic markers of grief, undergoes electrical shocks in a laboratory while looking at pictures of her ex, and ventures to the wilderness in search of awe as an antidote to loneliness.

In the audiobook, Florence invites the listener to hear the entire experience - narrated by her, accompanied by in-the-moment diary recordings, and exclusive (astonishing) bonus material that can only be heard here.

©2022 Florence Williams (P)2022 Pushkin Industries
Divorce & Separation Philosophy Relationships Science Inspiring Thought-Provoking Genetics

Critic reviews

"[A] show-stopping, offbeat story about the science of heartbreak.... Unflagging research - [Williams] even flies to London to interview Britain’s first 'minister of loneliness' - and the author’s vulnerability make for an impressive and moving survey. This is a courageous, whirlwind tale of healing and self-discovery." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

What listeners say about Heartbreak

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Compelling Personal Journey Intimate Candid Storytelling Unique Narration Style Unique Audiobook Experience
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Soul Punching

I love the intimacy and truth. Thank you for taking us on your healing journey.

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perfection

FANTASTIC. Just what I've been searching for in the wake of my own divorce.. Captivating and beautifully read.

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Loved this.

This work had so many things I needed to hear. I needed to know what I’ve been through is expected but can also end one day. If you’ve been divorced or gone through a difficult breakup, you need this.

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Absolutely wonderful content and presentation

Florence Williams has outdone herself (Nature Fix being one of my favorite books)! I will listen to this book again and recommend it to everyone. A timely find for me as I reflect on my own heartbreak stories and the importance of nature’s ability to heal and connect us all. The narration was not a typical “author reading book” format. I loved the podcast style- it was like listening to a well done documentary - with its music, audio journal clips. I didn’t want to stop listening! Thank you!

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Brilliant

Wow. This book perfectly suited my soul. It gave me the data I needed & spared me the work of having to sort out all the science. Having been wrecked by heartbreak, I needed a story & a few stats to inspire me to hang in there & push forward. I will probably listen to this again in a few months. Only thing I’d change, is more shared time, stories & insights, in the Great outdoors. I’d swap less blood work/ bio marker talk for more river & wilderness encounters.

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A real treat

This is the most unique audiobook and should only be experienced in audio form! The author did such a good job of telling a story well, while interweaving the sounds of her research (conversations with friends and researchers) into the book. I have not heard anything like it! Really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

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Scientific & heartbreaking

Liked the calming voice. Found myself laying in bed, heartbroken & dumped myself recently. Made me feel less alone.

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Such a good listen

I am sure the written book is great but the audio version is excellent! I listened on my daily walks and was absorbed in the story, the science, and the author's journey. I thought about myself as a widow and my friends who have gone through divorce. I learned about the how and why of the suffering and the hopeful steps toward recovery. Whether or not you are happily married or learning to live without your partner, this book will nurture your appreciation for connection, nature, self, and all things human.

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Just what I needed

I wanted a little more vocal dynamics, she's much more animated in her natural conversation. Otherwise, these statistics and mechanisms have been incredibly helpful to me. Know that this process takes years, but you can lessen the impact.
Not strictly for the outdoorsy, don't let that stop you! Good luck and peace on your journey 🤍🖤🤍

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Turning heartbreak into wholeness

Such a deeply personal story. It’s well written and supported by scientific research, the author made her devastating loss into a great scientific experiment documenting everything she does including very intimate conversations with her family and friends. I think she’s brave and selfless to put this out in the world for everyone to use.
I’m glad she’s the narrator of her book, she did it in a unique & creative way. She included clips of people she interviewed, she did a great job. This book will be very helpful to anyone with relationship break up or loss of friendship or anyone that’s interested in the subject.

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