
The Lonely Polygamist
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Narrated by:
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David Aaron Baker
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By:
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Brady Udall
About this listen
Brady Udall is the acclaimed author of the internationally best-selling The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint. In The Lonely Polygamist, Udall pens a tragicomic tale starring Golden Richards - who, despite having four wives and 28 children, hasn’t quite found fulfillment in life.
Like other men in the midst of a mid-life crisis, Golden feels as though he’s drowning. His wives squabble amongst themselves, and he hardly has time for all his children - least of all the 11-year-old who’s taken a keen interest in explosives. And now his construction business is struggling. Yet even after Golden falls in love again and takes a mistress to alleviate his pain, life continues to fall short of expectations.
Udall’s skillfully observed tale is “as comic as it is sublimely catastrophic.” (Publishers Weekly).
©2010 Brady Udall (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLCListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
favorite narrator & new author did not disappoint
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Excellent, and in learned a thing or two
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I do want to note, because I don't think the author was very clear, that this is not a story about Mormons. Mormons don't practice polygamy and haven't for a couple of hundred years. While there are some words and phrases that the author uses that are similar to that of the Mormon faith, it's important to note that these people are NOT Mormon. Being Mormon myself, I cringed every time such a reference was made. Polygamist sects are breakaway groups and not affiliated with the Mormon faith in any way.
Other than that, the story line was great and entertaining. Great characters and funny, realistic situations. You don't always get what you want, but be grateful for what you have and hold it dear. That's a great way to sum up the lessons of this book!
I enjoyed it!
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We stick with Golden as he floats from moment to moment, almost always a victim of the circumstance he finds himself. We try to cut him a break as we try to understand why he doesn't "get it" but he rarely satisfies our wish. We sidle up to his wives and cheer them on as they try to come to the same understanding. However, we don't really side with them because they are just mean and that is one thing Golden is not. We want to love all the children, but we can't really bridge that gap, except for two. The small strokes of genius subplots that carry through all the way to the end of the book are masterful and remind us that even in the throes of life,there are little things that viewed from a distance are hilarious even as they simultaneously drive us batty.
We meet Rusty, the neglected son and while we end up hoping he gets what he so ardently desires, we wish he would go about it much differently. We want to shake the entire family for failing him on so many levels. And we are amazed at how Udall nails the kid dialogue and thought process.
David Aaron Baker reads this so well that there are times you are certain there is more than one reader. He has a talent to read many voices all distinctly.
The plot twists and turns and keeps us engaged but does so in a very precise, deliberate way. I cannot say it is a comedy. I cannot say it is a drama. I cannot say it is a tragedy. It is life, fairly and justly represented in all of its glory and frustration, polygamist notwithstanding. It is us. It is no surprise to me that Udall is the writer-in-residence in Idaho.
Book Proves That Authors Can Think Sideways
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Pleasantly Surprised!
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I laughed. I roared with laughter. I split a gut laughing. I cried. I sobbed. I cried rivers.
Not your usual subject material or genre? Give a listen anyway. I'm sure glad I did. Good pick, Audible Editors!
Glad I took a chance
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Loved this book
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Golden is a really good guy
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I thought the characters were great, and well written. The narration was pretty good too.Whatever, it grabbed my attention and kept it....Of course I probably never would have bought it but for the summer sale!
I Loved this story
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So easy to identify with various characters and relate to their emotions.
Situations that seem plausible only because the talented author has coaxed you down an unfamiliar path with his obvious knowledge of the subject.
Sometimes 4 wives is 5 too many!
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