All Fours

A Novel

By: Miranda July

Narrated by: Miranda July

A NEW YORK TIMES TOP TEN BOOK OF THE YEAR

A WASHINGTON POST NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR

ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S TOP 10 FICTION BOOKS OF 2024

ONE OF NPR’S “BOOKS WE LOVE” 2024

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY:
THE NEW YORKER ● VOGUE ● FINANCIAL TIMES ● OPRAH DAILY ● VULTURE ● VOX

The New York Times bestselling author returns with an irreverently sexy, tender, hilarious and surprising novel about a woman upending her life

“A frank novel about a midlife awakening, which is funnier and more boldly human than you ever quite expect . . . nothing short of riveting.” —Vogue

“All Fours has spurred a whisper network of women fantasizing about desire and freedom. . . . It’s the talk of every group text."—The New York Times

“All Fours possessed me. I picked it up and neglected my life until the last page, and then I started begging every woman I know to read it as soon as possible.” —The Cut

A semi-famous artist announces her plan to drive cross-country, from LA to NY. Thirty minutes after leaving her husband and child at home, she spontaneously exits the freeway, checks into a nondescript motel, and immerses herself in an entirely different journey.

Miranda July’s second novel confirms the brilliance of her unique approach to fiction. With July’s wry voice, perfect comic timing, unabashed curiosity about human intimacy, and palpable delight in pushing boundaries, All Fours tells the story of one woman’s quest for a new kind of freedom. Part absurd entertainment, part tender reinvention of the sexual, romantic, and domestic life of a forty-five-year-old female artist, All Fours transcends expectation while excavating our beliefs about life lived as a woman. Once again, July hijacks the familiar and turns it into something new and thrillingly, profoundly alive.

©2024 Miranda July (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“An irreverent and brilliantly touching story of a woman’s quest for freedom.”—Oprah Daily

"Atmospheric, sexy and totally unexpected."—People Magazine

“July’s candor, her fearlessness, in describing the unwieldy emotional and biological nuances of this time of life is refreshing...reading her new novel, as a so-called woman of a certain age, I felt seen in a way that is rare. It was invigorating.”—Wall Street Journal

I forced myself to finish

The author’s monotone voice was difficult to tolerate. I didn’t particularly like the main character or story, but it was provocative and thought provoking. At times forced me to sit with my own discomfort or question my own stigmas, a sign of good art,

So good

God - July has this power and voice that rattles you to the core. I loved it. So weird and funny and oddly relatable and beautiful. Go in with an open mind and leave a little shaken up and a little wiser. 10/10 for me!

Visceral, but not enjoyable

So many times listening to this I made a “eyugh” sound out loud from disgust. I even stopped listening for a while because it was so unpleasant, but eventually decided to finish because I hate leaving things unresolved. Maybe I’m not the right audience for this book, but I found the narrator extremely unlikable and unfortunately the author’s voice didn’t improve the listening experience for me.

A great ride! Highly engaging and, at times, hilarious.

I couldn’t wait to get back to it every time I had the chance to listen.

Terrific read w current social issues, willfully told

I loved the character development, the main character had just enough wit, intellect, honesty and neurosis to want her to be your dear friend. I loved the rawness and accurate portrayal of being a women in her early 40’s. The marital challenges, child rearing, and friendships were so tender. I highly recommend this book and will look for more from the author.

Gushing and beautiful

What a delicious listen I didn’t want it to end. But it did and it was all beautiful.

Brash honesty

Her calm voice as she unfolded so many real deep situations and her clinical narrative of extremely emotional moments was very unique.

One sentence on each page really stood out

I liked how important characters were so complicit in the honesty of situations, relationships, and dealings, coming up in their lives Much of the time I was enthralled by the verbal bravery employed. People stepped up to the truth including the weird parts. I am so glad to have found this point of view. Wish I never finished this book….

Love her reading this!

In the first chapter, I was laughing so hard I had to stop and call my best friend to tell her she needs to get to listening! We both love Miranda July - she is simply amazing, brilliant and hilarious!

July was a wonderful treat as both writer and narrator

I look forward to everything I can get my hands or ears on in the future