How I Paid for College Audiobook By Marc Acito cover art

How I Paid for College

A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship, and Musical Theater

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How I Paid for College

By: Marc Acito
Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
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From syndicated humor columnist Marc Acito comes a wildly inventive and hysterically funny novel that is equal parts Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Fame, Risky Business, Dead Poets Society, and The Catcher in the Rye.

It's 1983, and 17-year-old Edward Zanni wants to study acting at Juilliard, but his newly remarried father, who earns too much for Edward to claim scholarship money, refuses to pay. So, Edward enlists the aid of his creative theater pals to swindle the money from his father. Posing as nuns and priests, the troupe concocts embezzlement and money laundering schemes to get Edward his badly needed cash.

How I Paid for College is a hilarious coming-of-age story that rings true with anyone who's ever dared to dream big.

©2004 Marc Acito (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC Coming of Age Genre Fiction Humorous Literature & Fiction Money Fiction Funny Witty Comedy Dream

Critic reviews

"Acito nails his scenes one after another, from Edward's shifting (but always enthusiastic) sexuality to the silly messes he gets himself into. The result is a thumbs-up winner from a storyteller whose future looks as bright as that of his young hero." (Publishers Weekly)
Hilarious Humor • Engaging Characters • Nostalgic 80s References • Emotional Authenticity • Perfect Pacing
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I actually laughed out loud on the treadmill at the gym. Extremely funny, but hardly "Catcher in the Rye"; just a well read, well written story about disgruntled suburbia. The characters are multi dimensional and memorable. Extraordinary? No, but highly entertaining. And, FYI, includes a charmingly open and honest exploration of sex and sexuality, so keep your toddlers out of earshot.

Hilarious

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This slow starter came to life two hours into the book. Cleverly written with an excellent naration. Carefree and fun book.

Started slow, But once it got going

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The story was funny, enjoyable, interesting, and funny. Several times I laughed out loud. The story is written in a Sedaris like manner. Although no one can tell a story like Sedaris, but Acito is very close. Try it you will like it. My only disappointment is I could not find anything else Acito. He needs to write more!!

If you like David Sedaris you will love this one!!

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It seems like any funny book on the New York Times Best sellers list features some gay person. Can't hetero people be funny anymore. I just had a hard time relating. David Sedaris is good but I wasn't a big fan of Augustin Burroghs. Just not my cup of tea.

eh...

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I loved every aspect of this book. Reads just like a memoir, but better. It really makes you feel that late teenage mix of anxiety and invincibility because you don’t know any better. Very authentic and funny. Narration is phenomenal.

Love this

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I love this narrator. Everything he does is amazing. Every character is unique, consistent, and interesting. The book is fun but the narrator is superb.

amazing performance

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keeps me laughing and brings back memories of my misspent youth. Excellent having a bad day listen.

love this book

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A fantastical tale of adolescence from a rare perspective. The story was engaging and wild, grounded in truthful emotions that are sure to bring you back to some of your own memories of the period.

An unexpected treat!

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I admit - I did not like this book when I first started it. I left this audio to go listen to other books. When I came back, the story really started to pick up and I was totally hooked. I laughed at all of the adventures and I could not leave until I knew how he was able to pay for college.

Had to finish it

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Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls alike:
If you chose this bc it has "musical theater" in the title, you HAVE BEEN to this place, this story, in your life, the characters are friends and you fall in love with all of them (or know them in your theater class. or.. you ARE them.
I feel like I've been with them for the length of the book many times. I also have a sneaking suspicion that you will also listen again and again, over and over.
Funny, light hearted, and whole hearted and you root for Edward every moment.
Great for the car, before bed, just keep a copy on your phone, it goes everywhere. Works doubly well as a present. 💗 I have had this story for many years and I try to share it with whoever will listen. PLAY PEOPLE, HERE IS YOUR STORY; read(performed, really) the way you would hear it in your own head, I'm pretty sure.

p.s- I think the piano bar they go to in the city is akin to The Duplex.

Funny, exciting, and so real...

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