The Marriage Plot
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo first 3 months
Prime members: New to Audible?Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
The Marriage Plot
Buy for $27.58
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
David Pittu
About this listen
“There is no happiness in love, except at the end of an English novel.” Anthony Trollope
It’s the early 1980s. In American colleges, the wised-up kids are inhaling Derrida and listening to Talking Heads. But Madeleine Hanna, dutiful English major, is writing her senior thesis on Jane Austen and George Eliot, purveyors of the marriage plot that lies at the heart of the greatest English novels. As Madeleine studies the age-old motivations of the human heart, real life, in the form of two very different guys, intervenes. Leonard Bankhead – charismatic loner and college Darwinist – suddenly turns up in a seminar, and soon Madeleine finds herself in a highly charged erotic and intellectual relationship with him. At the same time, her old friend Mitchell Grammaticus – who’s been reading Christian mysticism and generally acting strange – resurfaces, obsessed with the idea that Madeleine is destined to be his mate.
Over the next year, as the members of the triangle in this spellbinding novel graduate from college and enter the real world, events force them to reevaluate everything they have learned. Leonard and Madeleine move to a biology laboratory on Cape Cod, but can’t escape the secret responsible for Leonard’s seemingly inexhaustible energy and plunging moods. And Mitchell, traveling around the world to get Madeleine out of his mind, finds himself face-to-face with ultimate questions about the meaning of life, the existence of God, and the true nature of love.
Are the great love stories of the nineteenth century dead? Or can there be a new story, written for today and alive to the realities of feminism, sexual freedom, prenups, and divorce? With devastating wit and an abiding understanding of and affection for his characters, Jeffrey Eugenides revives the motivating energies of the novel, while creating a story so contemporary and fresh that it reads like the intimate journal of our own lives.
©2011 Jeffrey Eugenides (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers LtdCritic reviews
‘If you were ever young and thought you knew what you wanted, if you ever imagined that no one could feel such intensity of emotion as you, if you ever had your dreams dashed and your heart broken, then this is the book for you’ The Times
‘I adored The Marriage Plot … David Nicholls’ One Day with George Eliot thrown in’ Erica Wagner, The Times, Books of the Year
‘I gorged myself on The Marriage Plot’ Geoff Dyer
‘A marvellous, compulsive storyteller; he reminds us that while love may not always triumph, it follows its own wayward course to the end’ Sunday Telegraph
‘Where it excels is in pinpointing human emotions and in capturing the giddy flux of young love. As Mitchell says, “There were some books that reached through the noise of life to grab you by the collar and speak only of the truest things.” Funny, poignant and insightful, this is one of those books’ Sebastian Shakespeare
‘Immensely readable, funny and heartfelt, with instantly beguiling writing that springs effortlessly back and forth over the year’s events… it was indeed worth waiting for’ Daily Telegraph
‘Utterly engrossing … so well depicted – with wit, care and charm – that Eugenides hasn’t just raised his game, he’s changed the fictional goalposts’ Daily Mirror
‘In the generosity and and nuance of his characters and paragraphs you are reminded of the Jonathan Franzen of “The Corrections”’ Observer
‘Moving, human and challenging…subtle, pertinent narrative observations that show the work of a master of fiction at work’ Times
Related to this topic
-
Verity
- By: Colleen Hoover
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Amy Landon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 126,950
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 112,070
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 111,937
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
intriguing but skip if triggered by child abuse
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-19
By: Colleen Hoover
-
Den of Vipers
- By: K.A. Knight
- Narrated by: Cornell Collins, Hollie Jackson
- Length: 19 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 6,356
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 5,845
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 5,838
Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel - The Vipers. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses. Yes, sold me. They own me now. I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Shrek
- By Shemika Holmes on 02-25-21
By: K.A. Knight
-
The Last Letter
- A Novel
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Jennifer Stark
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,440
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4,278
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,272
Beckett: If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
What in the actual f@#k!
- By Booklover876🇯🇲 on 07-26-19
By: Rebecca Yarros
-
Booked for the Holidays
- By: Liz Maverick
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky, Andrew Eiden
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,582
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,519
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,519
When mystery author D. B. Ziegler is late delivering her book, Abi Schore steps in to help. Surely she can give her favorite author moral support over the holiday break and get the manuscript to her boss at Tea & Sympathy Publishing in time for the new year. When Abi shows up on Ms. Ziegler’s doorstep bearing holiday treats, she’s met by the author’s handsome grandson Dov, who reveals a startling plot twist. His grandmother isn’t able to finish the book and Dov promised he’d complete it so fans won’t be disappointed—a task that’s harder than he ever imagined.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a gem!
- By Joanna N. on 11-14-24
By: Liz Maverick
-
Nocticadia
- By: Keri Lake
- Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Stella Hunter
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,079
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,011
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,011
After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I'd find the cure for what ravaged her and leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me. Four years later, I received an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it's rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before, those whose bones are said to make up the island's white sandy shores. And restless ghosts aren't even its most daunting peculiarity.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good but a slight miss
- By Destinyreadsbooks on 01-17-24
By: Keri Lake
-
Not Another Christmas Rom Com
- By: A. J. Pine
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,813
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,755
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,755
It’s the flight before Christmas and Molly just got an unexpected gift: a free first-class upgrade on her plane trip home for the holidays. Bring on the complimentary cocktails! But after one too many, she spills all her secrets to the hot guy seated next to her—only to wake up mortified when her buzz has worn off. At least she never has to see Liam again ... or so she thinks. When Molly arrives at Christmas House, the festive rental home that she and her family are sharing with her sister’s fiancé and his wealthy family, she discovers that Liam is one of the new in-laws. Oops.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
cute, funny, and short
- By Bsr on 12-06-24
By: A. J. Pine
-
Verity
- By: Colleen Hoover
- Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson, Amy Landon
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 126,950
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 112,070
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 111,937
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
intriguing but skip if triggered by child abuse
- By Amazon Customer on 05-16-19
By: Colleen Hoover
-
Den of Vipers
- By: K.A. Knight
- Narrated by: Cornell Collins, Hollie Jackson
- Length: 19 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 6,356
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 5,845
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 5,838
Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel - The Vipers. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses. Yes, sold me. They own me now. I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant.
-
1 out of 5 stars
-
Shrek
- By Shemika Holmes on 02-25-21
By: K.A. Knight
-
The Last Letter
- A Novel
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Jennifer Stark
- Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,440
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 4,278
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,272
Beckett: If you’re reading this, well, you know the last-letter drill. You made it. I didn’t. Get off the guilt train, because I know if there was any chance you could have saved me, you would have. I need one thing from you: get out of the army and get to Telluride. My little sister Ella’s raising the twins alone. She’s too independent and won’t accept help easily, but she has lost our grandmother, our parents, and now me. It’s too much for anyone to endure. And here’s the kicker: there’s something else you don’t know that’s tearing her family apart.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
What in the actual f@#k!
- By Booklover876🇯🇲 on 07-26-19
By: Rebecca Yarros
-
Booked for the Holidays
- By: Liz Maverick
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky, Andrew Eiden
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,582
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 3,519
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 3,519
When mystery author D. B. Ziegler is late delivering her book, Abi Schore steps in to help. Surely she can give her favorite author moral support over the holiday break and get the manuscript to her boss at Tea & Sympathy Publishing in time for the new year. When Abi shows up on Ms. Ziegler’s doorstep bearing holiday treats, she’s met by the author’s handsome grandson Dov, who reveals a startling plot twist. His grandmother isn’t able to finish the book and Dov promised he’d complete it so fans won’t be disappointed—a task that’s harder than he ever imagined.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
What a gem!
- By Joanna N. on 11-14-24
By: Liz Maverick
-
Nocticadia
- By: Keri Lake
- Narrated by: Aaron Shedlock, Stella Hunter
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,079
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,011
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,011
After watching my mother succumb to a mysterious illness, I promised myself two things. I'd find the cure for what ravaged her and leave the godforsaken city where she abandoned me. Four years later, I received an acceptance letter from Dracadia University, one of the oldest most prestigious schools in the country. Nestled on a secluded island off the coast of Maine, it's rumored to be haunted by the souls of the mental patients exiled there centuries before, those whose bones are said to make up the island's white sandy shores. And restless ghosts aren't even its most daunting peculiarity.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Good but a slight miss
- By Destinyreadsbooks on 01-17-24
By: Keri Lake
-
Not Another Christmas Rom Com
- By: A. J. Pine
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,813
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,755
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,755
It’s the flight before Christmas and Molly just got an unexpected gift: a free first-class upgrade on her plane trip home for the holidays. Bring on the complimentary cocktails! But after one too many, she spills all her secrets to the hot guy seated next to her—only to wake up mortified when her buzz has worn off. At least she never has to see Liam again ... or so she thinks. When Molly arrives at Christmas House, the festive rental home that she and her family are sharing with her sister’s fiancé and his wealthy family, she discovers that Liam is one of the new in-laws. Oops.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
cute, funny, and short
- By Bsr on 12-06-24
By: A. J. Pine
What listeners say about The Marriage Plot
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Helen
- 12-05-12
Great narration, not sure about the book
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Wouldn't suit all of my reader friends but for some of them yes. It's entertaining in a lot of ways but I felt it a little long winded at times.
What does David Pittu bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
He characterises so beautifully, I laughed out loud a some bits. Great narration makes a book for me and David's reading kept me going where if I'd read the book myself I might have given up in the more boring bits!
Any additional comments?
Although I felt the book too long, I still kept with it to the end, partly due to David's narration. It's still a good read, I've yet to read Middlesex but I have it in paper form so we will see if that works for me better as a novel (however, won't have the assistance of a great narrator though will I).
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Bonnie
- 08-08-18
A bit boring
I'm sure the story is solid, but it's a boring plotline. Not what I expected. Good narrator though
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- Karen Campbell
- 07-13-12
Disappointing
I chose The Marriage Plot because I really enjoyed Middlesex, and perhaps if I wasn't aware of the comparison between the two books, I would have enjoyed this one more. However, I just couldn't get away from how boring the plot line was. Clearly, it has been very well researched because Eugenides is able to go into minute detail on a number of disparate subjects, from the behaviour of yeast cells to the Victorian novels. However it is the amount of detail that made the story drag for me. That and the fact that I couldn't really feel any empathy for the main characters, who were mostly annoying. The narrator was very good and he did create unique voices for each character, but his best efforts weren't enough to save the plodding nature of the plot.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Penni
- 12-16-11
Better than TV
Would you listen to The Marriage Plot again? Why?
Probably, perhaps only the first half though to revisit the way ideas interact with story. It was beautifully paced and engaging though, I was pulled along by the narrative tension between the characters, but knowing the ending, I am not sure the novel would have the same thrall on a second listen.
What did you like best about this story?
I thought Eugenides did a remarkable job of capturing the urgency of that time in your life (about twenty), when everything feels so weighted and important, when it feels as though every decision you make shapes the person you are about to come, the poesis of self-making. I also really admired the way he blended narrative theory and classical storytelling.
What does David Pittu bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?
Oh, he is just brilliant! He sculpted each character out of nuance and diction, these people really came to live for me, it was like watching a movie. Perfectly paced. Beautifully read, never intrusive.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I rushed through it pretty quick!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 08-17-12
Above average story/Below average reading
This is certainly not Eugenides' most unique book but he's such a good writer you still want to keep listening, even if the story is just a trumped up 80s nostalgia love triangle.
As for the reading, to put it lightly, character voicing is not Pittu's strong suit. The male characters all sounded like they just swallowed a hairball, and unfortunately Madeline sounded exactly like Candace from the TV show Portlandia (those who know the reference will understand). Essentially, the characters all sounded extremely one dimensional, which is a fairly large failing considering the whole book is about the subtleties and nuances in people and personality.
An easier reading of the book would probably have brought the sense of the story out more, especially since it is such a character heavy book, but I found myself struggling more and more to ignore Pittu's simple characterisations.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- PACMAC
- 09-17-12
The Marriage PLlot
Would you try another book from Jeffrey Eugenides and/or David Pittu?
Have read Eugenides Middelsex and yes to David Pittu
Who was your favorite character and why?
all equally weird and despondent
What does David Pittu bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
a better understanding of the characters
Did The Marriage Plot inspire you to do anything?
read something more cheerful
Any additional comments?
too long
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful