Cult Classic

A Novel

By: Sloane Crosley

Narrated by: Sloane Crosley

2022 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year, Long-listed
2022 Washington Post Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

"This is a surreal and hilarious insight into millennial dating with a big twist, and the narrator will have you hooked from the very beginning." -Buzzfeed

"Crosley reads with an incisive understanding of Lola's psyche. She hits all of the notes of sarcasm and reluctant self-reflection, and somehow even manages to give her searching optimism a fatalistic undertone. There are no character voices or modulations in pacing, leaving listeners with only Lola's perspective—a fitting narration for this delightfully cynical love story." -Booklist on Cult Classic

"...anyone will enjoy listening to Sloane read her novel about Lola, a young arts-and-culture editor who mysteriously keeps running into her ex-boyfriends." -Vulture

Hilariously insightful and delightfully suspenseful, Cult Classic is an original: a masterfully crafted tale of love, memory, morality, and mind control, as well as a fresh foray into the philosophy of romance.

MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK of 2022 by Glamour, W, Nylon, Fortune, Lit Hub, The Millions, and more!

This program is read by the author.

One night in New York City’s Chinatown, a woman is at a work reunion dinner with former colleagues when she excuses herself to buy a pack of cigarettes. On her way back, she runs into a former boyfriend. And then another. And . . . another. Nothing is quite what it seems as the city becomes awash with ghosts of heartbreaks past.

What would normally pass for coincidence becomes something far stranger as the recently engaged Lola must contend not only with the viability of her current relationship but the fact that both her best friend and her former boss, a magazine editor turned mystical guru, might have an unhealthy investment in the outcome. Memories of the past swirl and converge in ways both comic and eerie, as Lola is forced to decide if she will surrender herself to the conspiring of one very contemporary cult.

Is it possible to have a happy ending in an age when the past is ever at your fingertips and sanity is for sale? With her gimlet eye, Sloane Crosley spins a wry literary fantasy that is equal parts must-listen and poignant portrayal of alienation.

A Macmillan Audio production from MCD Books

©2022 Sloane Crosley (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Just fine

Easy and fun read. The main character was a bit annoying but all her character flaws seem intentional.

Beautifully narrated

I went in with zero expectations and came out the other side with little more than a good way to pass the time.

The Sloane Crosley knows how to deliver her work, but the story itself was buried in overextended metaphors that made the whole book hard to listen to for more than 15 minutes at a time. If I had picked up a copy instead of listen to it, I’m not sure I would have made it all the way through.

Still confused

I finished this months ago and I’m still confused. I liked the author’s style with the vivid imagery, however the way the story was told made me think one of the main characters was dead from the start and that there was a ghost involved? Which wasn’t the case. *Spoiler* And her boyfriend in the end was super controlling and disrespectful and then she still chose him??? And there was all this build up that just came crashing down in the great glass elevator. So, I guess the book helped me pass the time, but I still feel very unresolved.

Riveting, poignant, hilarious, and insightful

I found myself making notes every few minutes, as this book is so full of clever, unique observations about human behavioral quirks, relationships, and the odd little moments in life that we all have witnessed but never really had the words to capture in amber the way Sloane Crosley has the singular capability of doing.

The real intrigue of the novel doesn't pick up right away, but the beginning takes its time to setup the main character and her personality and history, deepening your connection in preparation for what's in store. it never feels dragging, since every moment is so witty and funny and full of realism.

even the surreal elements have a groundedness that makes them believable. overall such a well crafted and compelling story, I will be recommending it to all my friends who are aware of themselves and navigating a relationship, whether single or not, there is lots to take away here.

eh 🤷🏻‍♀️

i dont think i became really interested or invested in the story until maybe the last 20-30 minutes.

Great listen, good story

Really enjoyed this book. Super related to the main character and loved the ending. And the narrator’s voice is so soothing and nice to listen to.

Good for a light read

Didn't love it but didn't hate it either. A bit light weight. This one won't stick with you.

Whoa that’s original

Took a minute to get to the amazingly original plot, but it was ok because the wordsmithing is gorgeous. Screamed at my girlfriends that they also need to read it NOW.

Favorite Author

Sloane Crosley is my favorite author and Cult Classic was amazing! It had her charming, dark wit and interesting story line. Loved that she was the narrator also.

Fun and moving

This book is for everyone who’s ever been single in New York- a book about connection, longing, loss, and love, and looking at your rear window and hoping for the best. Such beautiful, incisive writing- an instant classic.