Less

By: Andrew Sean Greer

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Loved Less!!!!

So very sorry that this book had to end. I could have stayed here forever!

Less is A’mour

Yes! I did intend a pun in the title of this review. It also works as a pun with the title, “Less is More”.

Author Less is the name of the main character. The choice of the last name, “Less” is ironic in nature.

The setup of the story is Author Less, as a youth (age 21), was the love interest of a famous older man and poet from the Russian River School of writing. After years of inspiring the man and work Less is abandoned, as the poet’s active lover, however still remains within the circle of the literati class due to his own prize winning novel. There he exists until he also takes up with a younger love interest, Freddy, who nine years later abandons Less so he can marry a lover nearer his own age. In order to avoid attending the wedding Less accepts a series of engagements that will take him in a around the world odyssey (classical pun intended) during the time of the naturals.

The bulk of the book is a recounting of this world tour journey as Less engages in introspection of his life, the meaning of life, and his feelings of loss and failure. The journey is full of mishaps, funny incidents, in addition to the usual travails of travel. During this trip the reader is invited to bond with Less and empathize with his lot in life. The reader comes to see Less is not as shallow as originally portrayed at age 21 and not just this empty shell of a man he sees himself as. Thus the original idea for the title, “Less is More”; above. Then why did I chose, “Less is A’mour”? Will I can’t divulge that without spoiling the end of the book. However, the A’mour term suggests the happy ending.

The writing style is fun, witty, and entertaining. However, if you are looking for a sizzling flesh bacchanal to send you blood rushing south, buy a different book.

Delightful

Everything about this book, (story, writing, and narrator) is delightful. It’s extremely well written. One of my favorites of the year.

If you are into exterior fabrics

The writer has a great master of the craft, no doubt about it, great writing skills, usage of about every single word. He can "paint" colorful pictures with words.

However, that's where it ends for me. I don't find amusing reading or listening for hours and hours about
all the details of the clothes he and others wear or how handsome is that guy or how cute that other one or himself (like some teenager girls's mind) over and over with some witty remarks sparkled here and there to show cleverness.

A couple lasting reflections (thank you for that) and a final surprise, the rest is color.

It's a series of frames about his life as he approaches the age of 50, a coming of age reflection on his "failures", his fears. A little bit cliche' to be honest. You travel and travel and there's more talk about the brief encounters with the men and the food than the places, not a word about the local atmosphere?

As many and many have wondered, why the Pulitzer? Well, this prize, in my opinion, this time, says more about the jury (and their "preferences") rather than about this good but not excellent work.

I tried to return it!

Yes, I confess, I tried to return this book but, for some reason, Audible wouldn't let me. The first hour of it had driven me nuts, perhaps because I listened to it while running---a time when I need to be entertained, and this book was not doing it. When I was unable to return it, I decided to go forth again. On second listening, the first hour made more sense, and by the second hour the book had caught my interest. From then on I was drawn in, increasingly charmed, amused, and, dare I say, beginning to think of it as an odyssey.

Wonderful book—annoying music clip at end

This was really great, fantastically well written. The audio clip overlaid on the last few lines of the book is super grating—Less describes savoring the end of Proust—don’t interrupt the end! I’m hoping Audible will read this and remove the distracting music. I would recommend reading this instead of listening due to the end.

accents are cringey/borderline racist

see title, I recommend reading it instead of listening. good story overall with beautiful prose.

Delightful!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book.
I loved the narrative style, bonded with the characters and my attention never wandered.

fantastic book!

I loved this book. the story moved forward well and kept me enthtalled. the narrator was excellent and I could tell the difference between all the characters. A great listen!

surprisingly wonderful

I'm surprised by how much I fell in love with this book. Less really sneaks up on you as a delightful character.