The Eyes and the Impossible Audiobook By Dave Eggers cover art

The Eyes and the Impossible

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

The Eyes and the Impossible

By: Dave Eggers
Narrated by: Ethan Hawke
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $13.50

Buy for $13.50

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

NEWBERY MEDAL WINNER • #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

An enthralling novel for all ages by award-winning author Dave Eggers, told from the perspective of one uniquely endearing dog.

“Johannes is a highly engaging narrator whose exuberance and good nature run like a bright thread through the novel’s pages.” —The New York Times

Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and making sure the Equilibrium is in balance.

But changes are afoot. More humans arrive in the park. A new building, containing mysterious and hypnotic rectangles, goes up. And then there are the goats—an actual boatload of goats—who appear, along with a shocking revelation that changes Johannes’s view of the world.

This story about friendship, beauty, and liberation (and running very, very fast) will make listeners of all ages see the world around them in a wholly new way.

©2023 Dave Eggers (P)2023 Listening Library Action & Adventure Animal Fiction Animals Animals & Nature Dogs Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Social & Life Skills Friendship Funny Heartfelt Witty Feel-Good Suspenseful

Critic reviews

2024, John Newbery Medal: Winner

★ “Utterly delightful…. Eggers touches on deep topics with a light hand, effortlessly building suspense and a wonderful sense of adventure.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “Eggers crafts a marvelous, fully fleshed protagonist in Johannes....whose compassionate narration delivers a rousing tale of community, joyful self-reliance, and the pleasures of running very, very fast.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Johannes is a highly engaging narrator whose exuberance and good nature run like a bright thread through the novel’s pages…. There is a deeper story here, too, about being yourself and finding freedom." —New York Times
Captivating Storytelling • Delightful Characters • Heartwarming Relationships • Imaginative Plot • Beautiful Prose
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
This put was a great different type of story through the eyes of animals. It is a wonderful story for all ages to read. I was sad that the story ended.

Waiting on the next book to continue the story.

A Joy of a Book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I can hardly remember an audio book that I loved more than this one! The writing and story are superb, but Ethan Hawke’s narration really hits it out of the park. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it — I’m normally not a big fan of animal narrators — but I was hooked from the first chapter. This story is witty, insightful, compelling, and laugh-out-loud funny in parts.

On the Best-Ever shortlist!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Really enjoyed Ethan Hawke as the narrator! This was a delightful fun read where each animal has something unique and interesting to offer in the telling of this story of exploration and self discovery

Great cast of characters

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narrator Ethan Hawke is fabulous, he brought the story alive. How refreshing to listen to funny, entertaining and wholesome story.

Fun whimsical story for the whole family.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The amount of details and plot twists are something I’ve never seen before that actually works amazingly smooth and definitely new that really affects the reader/audience, the voice acting is more spectacular than any book I’ve listened to (I’ve listened to many) and I was left speechless by the end of the book. I almost cried when the credits came on because I knew the book was finished, but I never wanted it to end. Oh my god… it’s the best book I’ve ever read/listened to and I HIGHLY recommend!!!! It’s for all ages, though some of the younger audiences might be a bit confused due to the more advanced vocabulary used in this book. Nevertheless, seriously that was the best book I’ve ever read, please make a sequel and get the same voice actor to voice it; !!SLIGHT SPOILERS!!
I just love the beautiful bond that Yohanus and Bertrund share and how it grows larger and more heart warming at the near-the end of the book, especially in the last chapter. (Don’t mind my spelling for both the names, I don’t know the way they’re both spelled 😭)

Oh my god this book is amazing READ IT

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved all of it, especially all of the characters and the story is amazing

The humor

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A perfect little fantasy story for dog lovers everywhere. The story and the reader’s verbal acting skills create a sweet movie for the mind.

If my dog could talk, what would he say?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I love Angus's voice! I just think the bisons are so nice. highly recommend the story!

such a sweet story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I was completely wrapped up in this bittersweet story. It talks of friendship, freedom, and courage, all told from the perspective of a dog. The narrator, Ethan Hawke is excellent, and the story will enthrall both children and adults.

Lovely story and great narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The narration by Ethan Hawke is terrific - the perfect match for Eggers’ story and cast of characters.

Didn’t want this book to end

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews