The Folded Clock Audiobook By Heidi Julavits cover art

The Folded Clock

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The Folded Clock

By: Heidi Julavits
Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
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Like many young people, Heidi Julavits kept a diary. Decades later she found her old diaries in a storage bin and hoped to discover the early evidence of the person (and writer) she'd since become. Instead, "The actual diaries revealed me to possess the mind of a paranoid tax auditor." The entries are daily chronicles of anxieties about grades, looks, boys, and popularity. After reading the confessions of her past self, writes Julavits, "I want to good-naturedly laugh at this person. I want to but I can't. What she wanted then is scarcely different from what I want today."

Thus was born a desire to try again, to chronicle her daily life as a 40-something woman, wife, mother, and writer. The dazzling result is The Folded Clock, in which the diary form becomes a meditation on time and self.

©2015 Heidi Julavits (P)2015 Dreamscape Media, LLC Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Women
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I happen to know the author but have not spent time with her in over 15 years. These stories were so vivid and true to the Heidi I remember as a young woman just out of college and starting her journey as a writer. I have followed her loosely since then and thrilled to listen to a beautifully narrated audiobook. I felt as if it was her both from the library style to the well stylized narrator. Bravo Heidi. You are a beautiful writer who captured every bit of my attention with your ability to take either the mundane OR the bizarrely wacky and weave a well crafted story. I only wish I could turn my life into such artful tales. Ps I was relieved not to hear about any "work crushes" on my husband! Phew.

So sorry it's over

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if "I take you " is the funniest read this year, This is written Perfection.

Pure art in text form

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Really, if I can drop my bias against the unnecessarily dramatic, "un-modern" narrator, the material is wonderful. Modern and carefully observant, Julavits has a wonderful mind and her writing translates these thoughts, her life into a entertaining read.

New narrator please!

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She is an engaging writer, but it's hard to relate to one story of success and prosperity after another. So busy! So in demand! Off on another fun trip that yields minor insights! I found myself resenting this book when I wanted to fall in love, but it might appeal to people craving an escapist beach read about a writer's life.

anecdotes of privilege and success

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My favorite part of this book is the title. The narration is painful to listen to....very overdramatic or something. The narrator is probably good for other books, but the combo of narration plus writing is painful. The book is supposed to be a diary format, but it feels forced. Like the author writes a sentence or two about her day, the proceeds to tell a story from her past that she tries to tie to the initial sentence, but it's a thin thread. The writing feels forced. Like she's trying to be clever. Or trying to show off how neurotic she is. It was painful.

Disappointing

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The author of this book is so not-as-cute as she would like to be. Her narcissism and self-conscious efforts to seem weird are a bummer. Plus, the narrator's falseness and over-enunciation will make you want to end it all. Sorry, but I feel like it's important to be honest, since this is something someone might potentially spend money on. I'm sure she's a very nice person.

No

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What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A more interesting memoir and a narrator who doesn't over enunciate.

Would you ever listen to anything by Heidi Julavits again?

No. Maybe. I might check out a novel by her from the library so I could see what it is like before I waste money on another audible book by Ms. Julavits.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was trying too hard to enunciate. It was annoying to listen to her.

What character would you cut from The Folded Clock?

It's a memoir. The narrator who is the author. Too many neuroses that were not that interesting. Did she ever pee on the plane? She didn't finish that story. Just because you live in New York, use the F word a few times and worry irrationally does not mean you have an engaging memoir. I couldn't finish the book. I tried several times then finally deleted it from my phone. The title sounded so intriguing. I was very disappointed especially since it was recommended by someone I know who is also a writer and knows the author.

Not Very Interesting Neuroses

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