Less

By: Andrew Sean Greer

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

A breakout romantic comedy by the best-selling author of five critically acclaimed novels.

Who says you can't run away from your problems?

You are a failed novelist about to turn 50. A wedding invitation arrives in the mail: Your boyfriend of the past nine years is engaged to someone else. You can't say yes - it would be too awkward - and you can't say no - it would look like defeat. On your desk are a series of invitations to half-baked literary events around the world.

Question: How do you arrange to skip town?

Answer: You accept them all.

What would possibly go wrong?

Arthur Less will almost fall in love in Paris, almost fall to his death in Berlin, barely escape to a Moroccan ski chalet from a Saharan sandstorm, accidentally book himself as the (only) writer-in-residence at a Christian Retreat Center in Southern India, and encounter, on a desert island in the Arabian Sea, the last person on Earth he wants to face. Somewhere in there: He will turn 50. Through it all there is his first love. And there is his last.

Because despite all these mishaps, missteps, misunderstandings, and mistakes, Less is, above all, a love story.

A scintillating satire of the American abroad, a rumination on time and the human heart, a bittersweet romance of chances lost, by an author the New York Times has hailed as "inspired, lyrical", "elegiac", and "ingenious" as well as "too sappy by half", Less shows a writer at the peak of his talents raising the curtain on our shared human comedy.

©2017 Andrew Sean Greer (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Andrew Sean Greer is one of the most talented writers around, feeling and funny, with a genuinely fine prose style and a sensibility to match." (Michael Chabon)

"Andy Sean Greer writes with an intelligent joy that encompasses a truly kaleidoscopic vision, reminding me of the work of Peter Carey and David Mitchell. This novel is beautifully sewn together." (Colum McCann)

It should not have won.

I was excited to listen to this book for several reasons. The primary ones being the fact that it just won the Pulitzer Prize and that I kept hearing it was very funny. Unfortunately I wasn't swept away. There is no plot. It is really more of a character portrait which is often perfect for me because I love character-driven stories. There were moments when I smiled at the unique and quick humor.
And there were other times when I thought the book was quite charming. But then whole sections also bored me to tears and frustrated me. In the end I couldn't decide if the charm I found in the pages of the book was actually owed to the book or if it was due to my personal memories of a vacation I took to Morocco. And even though I only finished the book yesterday, I already feel it is mostly forgotten.

Side note: I really don't understand what it was that made this book merit the Pulitzer Prize.

One of the few books I will read again

I just finished it and I LOVED IT!!! It is the best book I've listen to this year! It has everything I like: Humor, sarcasm, self deprecation, travel, middle age crisis, a mysterious narrator, a love story, San Francisco, Texas, great characters, and a great ending! I highly recommend it 👍

I'm not sure why this won the Pulitizer

I get that it is a story that could only be told in the here and now. It is a milestone for how the life journey of the lgbtq community has changed, but it's kind of dull. The main character is not very interesting and his struggle is very ordinary. On the plus side, the use of language and metaphor is exceptional. I can't say I liked it but also can't say I disliked it, but was able to listen to it in one go through, so it is very easy to listen to.

Less than expected

First half was very slow. Second half improved. Favorite part was his time in India.

Explore the world through less

This novel reminded me of Eat Pray Love with its round the world trip of life. The main character Les is witty, sarcastic, & wise. A funny, beautifully written reflection on life, everyone can relate to the humiliations, embarrassments, & insights gained as Les arranges a world wide junket to avoid his birthday & the wedding of his former lover. Enjoyed every minute & every country.

A lovely reason to laugh and cry

Simply charming and wonderfully casts a spell on the listener. We root for Less, pity him, cry for him, cheer for him and love him because he is not unlike any of us. And this from someone who is not white, male, gay or 50.

Loved this!

The story of Arthur Less is one of comedy, tragedy, and love. I absolutely loved this story.

Refreshing read

Started two days ago and just listened every free moment I had until completed. Fresh and strong narrative voice, satisfying in every way, dry but hilarious protagonist, a plot bursting with hope. The antidote to cynicism perhaps. Love, love, love LESS.

wonderful narration/performance, a very good book

the narration was the best from a single narrator of all the audio books I have listened to so far. I would compare it to Daisy Jones and the Six as far as the quality of the narration goes, but this was a single narrator, even more impressive! The novel itself was very good, I am so glad I chose the audible version.

masterfully written, funny, insightful, smart

so great to read beautifully thought-out prose, examining aging and life underlined with comedy and mystery.