A Calling for Charlie Barnes

By: Joshua Ferris

Narrated by: Nick Offerman

From National Book Award Finalist Joshua Ferris comes a “murderously funny” novel about a modern American family and one man’s attempt to come to understand the many lives of his father. (Janet Maslin, New York Times)

Someone is telling the story of the life of Charlie Barnes, and it doesn't appear to be going well. Too often divorced, discontent with life's compromises, and in a house he hates, this lifelong schemer and eternal romantic would like out of his present circumstances and into the American dream. But when the twin calamities of the Great Recession and a cancer scare come along to compound his troubles, his dreams dwindle further, and an infinite past full of forking paths quickly tapers to a black dot.

Then, against all odds, something goes right for a change: Charlie is granted a second act. With help from his storyteller son, he surveys the facts of his life and finds his true calling where he least expects it — in a sacrifice that redounds with selflessness and love — at last becoming the man his son always knew he could be.

The new book by the acclaimed author Joshua Ferris, narrated by the beloved actor Nick Offerman, is a profound and tender portrait of a man whose desperate need to be loved is his downfall, and a brutally funny account of how that love is ultimately earned.

©2021 Joshua Ferris (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"Ferris’s abundant skill has been evident since his debut novel, “Then We Came to the End,” was published in 2007, but here he has taken a huge leap forward, twisting semi-autobiographical material in such serpentine ways that even the author’s note is devious. This is a more tender novel than Ferris’s others, but that doesn’t keep it from being murderously funny from start to finish...Ferris's most daring experiment...Ferris’s prose remains taut and gorgeous, even when bleak. Also give him props for finding precisely the right way to meld memoir with satire, to do this with bracing originality and to keep heads spinning from this novel’s first page to its last. Gamesmanship and love don’t mix easily. But Ferris has found a way to do it, and he’s risen to the top of his game.”—Janet Maslin, New York Times Book Review

"Dazzling…There's no shortage of make-believe in A Calling for Charlie Barnes, Ferris' fifth, and best, book. A Calling for Charlie Barnes wears its metafictional heart on its sleeve, but as smart as it is, Ferris never shows any signs of falling in love with his own cleverness. Literary experiments without warmth tend to fall flat for most readers, but Ferris' novel is—remarkably, given its flawed subject—full of heart...In his previous works, Ferris has proved that he's one of the best American authors of comic fiction working today. His humor is on full display with A Calling for Charlie Barnes, but so are his intelligence and compassion; it's a masterpiece that shines a revealing light on both family and fiction itself.”—Michael Schaub, NPR

"Joshua Ferris is one of our best writers, and A Calling for Charlie Barnes is wonderful: fast and deep, urgent and brilliant. Ingeniously written, it had me up reading late into the night. A hilarious, intimate, and scathing takedown of so many American vanities."—Dana Spiotta, author of Wayward

strong start but no real plot

This is a character driven novel, with Charlie Barnes being a very interesting character. He's a middle-aged ne'er-do-well, portrayed so well and with so much humor. This felt reminiscent of a John Irving novel. Nick Offerman was the perfect reader. This started so well, but suffered as the novel progressed. The constant back-and-forth in time grew confusing and irritating, plus a plot never emerged. The writing was great, but some kind of story was needed to keep my interest here. Also, the secondary characters played a bigger role in the second half, but they were a lot less interesting than Charlie Barnes.

Wow

This one really surprised me in a good way. Yes it takes some time to get into, and I suggest playing it at 1.35x speed but it turns into such a great story that reminds me of Big Fish (the movie). the end, while I did predict would happen the way it did brought a tear to my eye. such a great novel to cause reflection. As someone called it I believe correctly, a thinking person's novel.

Enjoying & surprising.

If you enjoyed “Life of Pi” you will like this book. The narration was excellent.

Wonderful

Oh! The twists and turns! My heartstrings are stretched and twanging..
Loved the pitch perfect narration, too.

Enjoyed this inventive story!

I needed to listen carefully and there were times where I’d feel confused, but by the end of the book, I understood why I was confused. I really enjoyed this story. It’s a unique look back on a life and Nick Offerman was wonderful.

Best story of the year

This is the best story I have read this year! Does not end the way you think. It gives a very good look at human behavior in a way that is very telling.

Tricks of the mind

An entertaining story that also gives one pause on how easily our perception of others is often our own mind confusing truths with fiction.

Like Fredrik Backman + John Irving

What if A Man Called Ove met Owen Meany? This book is hilarious, maddening, and thought provoking. Bogs down in the middle, but stick with it. Who controls the narrative, indeed.

Nick Offerman..... uh, yes!

Charlie Barnes helped me while recovering from a motorcycle accident. While laid up, I was able to revise many of my own life choices to where I was more liked than tolerated and always said the thing that came into my head just after saying the wrong thing.... I felt for Charlie- struggling to find the honorable in the midst of corruption of his profession, heart making choices many others would pay for, and then coming to realize his gifts can inspire and strengthen others when he isn't the center of his own attentions. I know Jake, too. although my Jake is more like Karen...
The voice that brought these characters to life -my life - Nick Offerman... the voices of all the characters... no cartoonish imitations, no need. Nick reads and speaks with comfortable strength and vulnerableity, and empathy that is honest and sincere. I will listen to this one again. thanks Joshua and Nick!

likely to hit close to home for many a gen xer

The story about the remote makes the whole thing worth it. The mixing of truths and the reminder that none of us get out alive was reminder to be kind, we are all going through something.