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Saturday, September 8, 2012

Audio Review: Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin


Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Narrated by: Cassandra Morris
Title: Elsewhere
Publisher: Listening Library
Format:Unabridged Audio CD
Length: 7 hrs: 3 mins
Publication: 2005
Source: Library

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Goodreads Summary: Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It’s quiet and peaceful. You can’t get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere’s museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe’s psychiatric practice.

Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver’s license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she’s dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn’t want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?

This moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

My thoughtsThis story is about coming to terms with change. Zevin makes the hereafter real and something to look forward too. We have all wondered "what happens after I die?" Liz Hall gets to find out all too soon. Liz dies in a tragic accident. She is really struggling with the fact that she is dead and the circumstances of the afterlife. Getting to experience all the stages of grief with Liz was emotional. I laughed and cried right alone with her. Elsewhere is very similar to traditional ideals of heaven, beautiful, no growing older, and no sickness. Liz spends a lot of time whining and scheming. Her behavior is understandable. She had so much to live for and so many plans. Liz breaks the rules, makes new friends, and finds love. This is a great book, depending on what's going on in your life it could be extra emotional. 

This was my first time listening to an audio narrated by Cassandra Morris. She did an excellent job. Her narration made Liz real. I enjoyed how she would change her voice and tone for the other characters in the story. She was able to keep my attention and evoked emotion when necessary. I will defiantly listen to another audio narrated by her. 


7 comments:

  1. Thanks for the review! I was going to listen to this book, but decided on Cinder, which was a good thing I guess since Cutie's grandfather passed away a few weeks later. I'm not sure I could have handle this story so close to his death. I may try to recheck the audio and try it again.

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  2. It would have been too much. It's good that Cinder caught your eye.

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  3. Hey i would Love to hear or read this book. This is the first i heard of it. This could go far. I will spread the word on this one as soon as i leave this review. Plus i am going to amazon to check it out and see if it comes as a Ebook. Thanks A Lot Joannies

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  4. I heard this is a beautiful book and am anxious to read it sometime in the future. Thanks for your thoughts!

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  5. I have seen Elsewhere at the library several times and it has always peaked my curiosity, but I haven't read a review until now. And it was a great review by the way! I think I might just have to bring this one home next time I am at the library; Aka: Home away from home!

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  6. Oh,I want to read this book! It's been on my shelf since forever. A friend of mine got it for me but I never picked it up.

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  7. I loved this book, it was so amazing! :)

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