The Female of the Species
Written by Lionel Shriver
Narrated by Fred Stella
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
"Shriver's debut is a 'literary' novel without an iota of pretentiousness. It reads with the grace of a well-written spy story, but conveys some of its author's early wisdom about what our humanity both demands of and grants us." —Washington Post
The first novel by the New York Times bestselling author Lionel Shriver, The Female of the Species is the exotic and chilling story of a highly independent and successful woman's late-life romantic education, in all its ecstasy and desperation
Still unattached and childless at fifty-nine, world-renowned anthropologist Gray Kaiser is seemingly invincible—and untouchable. Returning to make a documentary at the site of her first great triumph in Kenya, she is accompanied by her faithful middle-aged assistant, Errol McEchern, who has loved her for years in silence. When sexy young graduate assistant Raphael Sarasola arrives on the scene, Gray is captivated and falls hopelessly in love—before an amazed and injured Errol's eyes. As he follows the progress of their affair with jealous fascination, Errol watches helplessly from the sidelines as a proud and fierce woman is reduced to miserable dependence through subtle, cruel, and calculating manipulation.
Lionel Shriver
Although Lionel Shriver has published many novels, a collection of essays, and a column in the Spectator since 2017, and her journalism has been featured in publications including the Guardian, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, she in no way wishes for the inclusion of this information to imply that she is more “intelligent” or “accomplished” than anyone else. The outdated meritocracy of intellectual achievement has made her a bestselling author multiple times and accorded her awards, including the Orange Prize, but she accepts that all of these accidental accolades are basically meaningless. She lives in Portugal and Brooklyn, New York.
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Reviews for The Female of the Species
5 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am not usually a reader of novels, other than genre (historical, detective, military, espionage and sci-fi).
I once scornfully picked up a bargain rack novel by a female author. Presuming a sappy romantic melodrama I started reading it. "We Need ..... Kevin" grabbed me and I bought it and read it in two days.
So... a one-hit wonderix? I listened to this as an audio.
The mental images Shriver put in my mind were as drawn as if I had seen a movie. This was her earliest novel (I think), and now I'll listen to another.1 person found this helpful