A Fraction of the Whole

By: Steve Toltz

Narrated by: Colin McPhillamy, Craig Baldwin

Steve Toltz's exceptional debut has drawn favorable comparisons to the work of New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Safran Foer.

Stewing in an Australian prison, Jasper Dean reflects on his relationship with his dead father and recounts the many zany adventures they shared together.

©2008 Steve Tolz (P)2008 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Comic drive and Toltz's far-out imagination carry [this] epic story." ( Publishers Weekly)

Charming and Fun

The book starts off a bit slowly, but you're soon drawn in to a world of villainy, deceit, and hysterically bad parenting. The narration captures each of the characters in a way that I think might not have been as carefully presented--had I just read the book. In short, one of the reasons that I listen to audio books. First class narrators, and a witty, character-driven story.

Entertaining, Engaging and Offbeat Marathon Novel

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anyone who enjoys unabridged audiobooks, for example while exercising (like I do), or on a long road trip, might enjoy this novel which is really several family stories in one!

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Fraction of the Whole?

Ironies of Martin's youthful intended good deeds in his home town gone awry

Have you listened to any of Colin McPhillamy and Craig Baldwin ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no way

Hilarious in parts but too long

Some of the plot twists were implausible. And the mix of funny and serious didn't really work.

Can't love it enough

Tolz's smart writing is what pulls you in, what astounds you, and what you stay for. The story is inventive, far-flung, irreverent, and the characters are cuckoo! But also hard to ignore or dismiss. Some may balk at the length, but I wished it was longer. Listening to an Aussie accent is heavenly, though I will say, it takes just a bit of an ear to tell the two voices apart sometimes, but it isn't a problem for the story, only if you start the audio book in the middle of a section and forgot who was talking.

I realize that it isn't for everyone, especially those who want nothing but action or easy story. This requires some critical thought processing but offers buckets of humor in return. It made me smile for 25 hours. What else can claim that distinction? And it is the first book I have listened to more than 2xs. Please hurry up and get Quicksand on Audible.

Fantastic

It’s like a confederacy of dunces. But Australianinier. Seven more of the words are required.

A Funny and Thought-provoking Tale of Human Nature

Okay, I know this might sound weird, but if Dostoyevsky were alive today, Steve Toltz could probably teach him a thing or two about the nature of misanthropy. Still, A Fraction of the Whole manages to push the envelope of absurd to the very limits of transgressional fiction, while remaining humorous enough to sustain most reader's attention spans. The thing is, Toltz's characters are so incredibly hard to sympathize with, that you're likely to find yourself trying hard to understand how they are a reflection of humanity as a whole. And from this effort, the truth of their "every man" identities becomes glaringly obvious.

Anyone who reads this story is likely to be both disgusted at the characters and reflected within them, all the while laughing despite this. Oh, and if you only like stories that wrap up nice and neat and fall into your lap during the death throws of their denouements — don't read this. However, if you're comfortable with the fact that life doesn't resolve itself like a Polaroid picture, then sit back, strap on a comfy pair of headphones, and enjoy one of the quirkiest tales you're likely to feast your ears on told by a pair of truly talented narrators whose performances are of rare quality.

Beautifully written, wonderful characters

This is a beautifully written book with richly drawn characters. The Dean family will take you on a wild ride around the world, and as unlikely as they and their lives are, this book is so well written you'll believe every bit of it. Clever, ironic, dark, and absolutely worth reading.

Wow!!

This production is a masterpiece. Author is obviously a genious with wit and a great sense of humor who can actually write! What a rare combination! This is my favorite audio book of all time, favorite author of all time, and favorite narrators of all time. This is a riot in audio due to the Aussie accent of the father and son narrators who got it just right. Buy this!!

favorite all-time audiobkook

I have listened to hundreds of books on Audible and this is my absolute favorite. It is very, very funny and the narrators are terrific, the one of the father's character is particularly good. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

still like this book.

read this book mt senior year of high school. 7 years later i get it on audible and i still really like it.