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Vernon Subutex One

By: Virginie Despentes, Frank Wynne - translator
Narrated by: Chris Harper
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Publisher's summary

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL 2018**

WHO IS VERNON SUBUTEX?

An urban legend.

A fall from grace.

The mirror who reflects us all.

Vernon Subutex was once the proprietor of Revolver, an infamous music shop in Bastille. His legend spread throughout Paris. But by the 2000s his shop is struggling. With his savings gone, his unemployment benefit cut, and the friend who had been covering his rent suddenly dead, Vernon Subutex finds himself down and out on the Paris streets.

He has one final card up his sleeve. Even as he holds out his hand to beg for the first time, a throwaway comment he once made on Facebook is taking the internet by storm. Vernon does not realise this, but the word is out: Vernon Subutex has in his possession the last filmed recordings of Alex Bleach, the famous musician and Vernon's benefactor, who has only just died of a drug overdose. A crowd of people from record producers to online trolls and porn stars are now on Vernon's trail.

Translated from the French by Frank Wynne

©2015 Editions Grasset et Fasquelle (P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited
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Critic reviews

Bold and sophisticated, this thrilling, magnificently audacious picaresque is about France and is also about all of us; how loudly we shout, how badly we hurt. It is the story of now. (Eileen Battersby)
An enthralling read. The story of one man, one city, it speaks of our entire world. A compelling, vital read, beautifully and vibrantly translated. (Nell Leyshon)
Disturbing and compelling . . . I loved and hated Vernon but I couldn't leave him alone . . . Relentlessly brilliant. Reading it was like being on a runaway train - you know it will probably end in disaster but you might as well enjoy the thrill of the ride - it's unputdownable. (Victoria Hislop)

What listeners say about Vernon Subutex One

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Amazing narration, and what a book. Funny and sarcastic, dark and deep about people in Paris

The crown princess of Norway recommended this book in an interview so I bought it. Wow. I can’t believe this book came into my hands through a royal tip, because it’s so far from that world as possible. It’s written so well, the language is amazing. And so funny, great quotes. But also so dark. So many interesting but also unsettling characters. Right wing extremists, LOADS of horny old men, arrogant people judging their neighbors, and then there’s Olga at the end. My favorite. She made me laugh but also made me melt. This is really worth your time. The English narration is great. What a good job he’s done. And what a writer VD is. Looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

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