Nobody's Empire Audiobook By Stuart Murdoch cover art

Nobody's Empire

A Novel

Preview

Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Nobody's Empire

By: Stuart Murdoch
Narrated by: Stuart Murdoch
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends April 30, 2025 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $28.79

Buy for $28.79

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

One of the great lyricists of our time, the lead singer and songwriter for the iconic Glasgow-based band Belle and Sebastian, pens a sensitive and intimate account—his debut novel based on his own youthful experiences—of dark days leading to light and a coming of age through music.

It’s the early 1990s in Glasgow, Scotland, and Stephen has emerged from a lengthy hospital stay. Diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a little-understood disease which has robbed him of any prospects of work, friends, or independent living, he moves slowly toward new goals and meets others like him, including Richard, a friend from school, and Carrie, a young woman bedridden for five years. Feeling isolated and alone, they form their own support group, and try to get by with as little money and pain as possible. Since he’s been ill, Stephen never feels warm, inspiring Carrie to affectionately call him “The World’s Coldest Boy.” As the world seems to care less for them, the trio start to care less about fitting in with the world.

Stephen soon discovers he has a talent for writing songs. He awakens to the possibility of a spiritual life that transcends the everyday, and feels a calling for a place that might as well be on the other end of the universe let alone the world. Buoyed by tentative hope, he and Richard leave Glasgow in search of a cure in the mythic warmth and sun of California. As they float between hostels, sofas, and park benches, they discover the trip is life-changing in ways neither expected, and Stephen embraces a new-world reinvention that will change his life forever.

Melodic and captivating, filled with graceful notes, melancholic chords, and witty, thoughtful riffs on life's infinite possibilities and curiosities, Nobody’s Empire is a warm and wonderful coming-of-age novel, imbued with Stuart Murdoch's magical lyricism.

©2024 Stuart Murdoch (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers
Biographical Fiction Coming of Age Genre Fiction World Literature Witty

What listeners say about Nobody's Empire

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Reality of ME

As someone with severe ME who was a musician before I became severe, I was moved by this account by Murdoch by what a less severe form other disease is like. Murdoch’s performance itself, feels like a gift, knowing that it took energy to read and share this account with us. ME can go into remission and can go through periods of lesser and greater impact on the individual experiencing it. I think this is clear in the telling of the book, though I do wonder how it would be perceived for someone reading from the outside with no knowledge of ME. That side, the tenderness, and the truth of the lived experience as someone trying to find themselves a new amidst this awful disease resonated. Thank you for this gift to the ME community, Stuart Murdoch.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating story

Read by the author, this novel, with dry humor and Scottish wit, is a coming of age story of a young man finding his own way in the world. Speckled with 90’s indie music references, the story follows Stephen and his best friends as they navigate the slippery terrain of chronic fatigue syndrome. At times sad, but most times uplifting, I laughed and rooted for Stephen in his journey to find his purpose and to keep hold of his ever dissipating energy. Character depictions and imagery were spot on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I love when authors read their own novels.

An engaging listen about coming of age, friendship, and finding your way forward because of, and in spite of yourself. A must listen for Belle and Sebastian fans.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

delightful

I've been a Belle and Sebastian fan for coming up on 20 years. it was really cool listening to Stuart's book and hearing him read it. it does start off a touch slow, but it really draws you in in a very Charming way.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!