The Rules Do Not Apply Audiobook By Ariel Levy cover art

The Rules Do Not Apply

A Memoir

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The Rules Do Not Apply

By: Ariel Levy
Narrated by: Ariel Levy
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A gorgeous, darkly humorous memoir for listeners of Cheryl Strayed about a woman overcoming dramatic loss and finding reinvention, based on this award-winning writer's New Yorker article "Thanksgiving in Mongolia".

©2017 Ariel Levy (P)2017 Random House Audio Gender Studies Grief & Loss Memoir Essentials Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Memoir Health Witty Emotionally Gripping Funny China

Featured Article: The top 100 memoirs of all time


All genres considered, the memoir is among the most difficult and complex for a writer to pull off. After all, giving voice to your own lived experience and recounting deeply painful or uncomfortable memories in a way that still engages and entertains is a remarkable feat. These autobiographies, often narrated by the authors themselves, shine with raw, unfiltered emotion sure to resonate with any listener. But don't just take our word for it—queue up any one of these listens, and you'll hear exactly what we mean.

Featured Article The top 100 memoirs of all time
Candid Storytelling • Compelling Memoir • Honest Narration • Complex Hero • Relatable Experiences • Emotional Resonance
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Raw, emotional story. Amazing and interesting experiences shared. Makes a woman not feel alone in her thoughts.
Sometimes hard to follow. You grow to love Ariel, but her voice and personality are aggressive and harsh to listen to.

Good book for life lessons...

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What did you love best about The Rules Do Not Apply?

excellent writing style.. clear, simple and easy to follow.. its touching, emotional and unexpected at times... the narration is good and engaging..

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

her trip to Mongolia is definitely the most memorable part of the story

Any additional comments?

the book is captivating but really sad and depressing, so beware..
but overall, I liked it a lot..

captivating but depressing

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I have had very few books that left me feeling sad when I finished them . That were so good I couldn't imagine reading ( or in this case Listening to) anything else for a long time after. Eat,Pray,Love..The glass Castle..The rainbow never ends, and now this one. The rules do not apply. I loved this book, I loved listening to Ariel read it on audible, I loved everything about it.

Wow,just wow.

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This was a beautiful story, beautifully told. From start to finish I was hooked. Honest, raw and candid. Very good.

I couldn't stop listening

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This book has been my companion to and from work for a couple of weeks and I have loved every word. Thanks Ariel

Ariel pours love into my ears, heart and mind!

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This is a must read book. I laughed out loud, cried my eyes out, and every emotion in between.

Gripping, heartbreaking, raw

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Thank you ! I listened to your story but it felt like you're telling mine.

Like a mirror

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Where does The Rules Do Not Apply rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm sorry, I don't want to follow this format.

Any additional comments?

Usually I’m too much of a cheapskate to buy a 5-hour Audible book. But this is Ariel Levy. She distills essence. She expands what needs expanding. Her 5 equals anybody else’s 15. Al-Anon: I too was a long holdout. When someone tells you you need Al-Anon, go. You don’t have to stay forever; just get the principles, the sooner the better. Ariel: “Using” is used (instead of “drinking”) because alcoholics are addicted to alcohol which they use like any other drug, plus alcohol is almost never the only drug they use. “Using” emphasizes the umbrella nature of addiction. You (Ariel) used sex, if I’m not mistaken. My only slight disappointment with the book is the fantasy choices at the conclusion, which struck false notes for me.

Her 5 is anybody else's 15.

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I would like to say I loved the book because my heart breaks for the author's loss. Unfortunately, I found myself less connected to the author (despite her being the narrator) because of her blunt writing style. I often like this type of writing, but here I found it jarring. It is not a long book and does move along, but I did not love it.

Sad

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Arial is a great storyteller and weaves her memoir with skill and humor sharing insights learned in the life of risk-taking and self reflection. Very enjoyable, instructive and emotionally satisfying.

Great Insights and fun to read

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