She's Come Undone

By: Wally Lamb

Narrated by: Linda Stephens

Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

"Mine is a story of craving: an unreliable account of lusts and troubles that began, somehow, in 1956 on the day our free television was delivered...."

Meet Dolores Price. She's 13, wise-mouthed but wounded, having bid her childhood goodbye. Beached like a whale in front of her bedroom TV, she spends the next few years nourishing herself with the Mallomars, potato chips, and Pepsi her anxious mother supplies. When she finally rolls into young womanhood at 257 pounds, Dolores is no stronger and life is no kinder. But this time she's determined to rise to the occasion and give herself one more chance before really going belly-up.

In this extraordinary coming-of-age odyssey, Wally Lamb invites us to hitch a wild ride on a journey of love, pain, renewal with the most heartbreakingly comical heroine to come along in years. At once a fragile girl and a hard-edged cynic, so tough to love yet so inimitably lovable, Dolores is as poignantly real as our own imperfections. She's Come Undone includes a promise: you will never forget Dolores Price.

©2011 Wally Lamb (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"A heroine to cheer for....This supremely touching journey to adulthood may remind you of The World According to Garp and other sagas of emotional liberation." ( Glamour)

"There are at least two surprises in store for readers of Lamb's memorable debut novel. One is the author's sex. This male writes so convincingly in the voice of a female, tracing her life from 4 to 40, that you have to keep looking back at the jacket picture just to make sure. The second surprise is how such a string of trials and tribulations can add up to such a touchingly funny book..." ( People)

"An ambitious, often stirring and hilarious book." ( The New York Times)

You owe it to yourself to get this recording

If you could sum up She's Come Undone in three words, what would they be?

"She's Come Undone" is the unlikely story of Delores Price, whose life is repeatedly marked by tragedy, abuse and illness. When she loses control of her life, Delores resists help and trusts no one. But she ultimately discovers a strength she didn't know was inside her. She is not a stereotypical gritty heroine who fights against the odds to get a better life. She is bewildered by the many twists and turns her path takes. In the hands of a less gifted writer this story could have become absurd, but it does not. Delores emerges as an unforgettable character who maneuvers her way through the obstacles she encounters, even when she is unsure where to go. She will stay with me forever.

I am Dolores Price

What made the experience of listening to She's Come Undone the most enjoyable?

After reading (listening to) this story (forcibly Suggested by a friend) I have come to realize that I am indeed Dolores Price - born a few years later - but also Molested and traumatized on several levels. I am currently in my FAT Phase - and Im motivated - and I found as I was Cheering for Delores to allow herself happiness - I realized I TOO was denying myself happiness.

What did you like best about this story?

The Shocking thing to me is that Wally has an amazing ability to take you there - and make it real. You see - Smell and even remember as you listen to this tale. I also appreciate that Wally was able to surprise me and every unexpected turn durring this coming of age story. The only thing I didnt like was the end - or should I say the lack of an ending. So.... can we have a part two?

What about Linda Stephens’s performance did you like?

Her voice has many levels and I kept thinking that toni collette was reading - but at times she sounds much older and others she seems younger??? a great story teller voice!!!

If you could take any character from She's Come Undone out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Dolores Price - is my first choice - I want to get inside her head - My second would be Dante - I want to see what all the fuss was about.

Any additional comments?

Im glad I got this book

Hilarious???

I don't know who ever said this book was funny. It is FAR from funny. But it's oh so good! It shows how one can go from broken and weak and fearful to indomitable. The unlikely friendships, the roller coaster ride of a life, the uncertainty and foolishness and eventual embrace of agency-- that made it worth the read.

Depressing

What did you like best about She's Come Undone? What did you like least?

I kept waiting for something to good to happen to the main character.

What was most disappointing about Wally Lamb’s story?

There was never a climax to the story.

Have you listened to any of Linda Stephens’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Do you think She's Come Undone needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Any additional comments?

No.

Need a better ending

What made the experience of listening to She's Come Undone the most enjoyable?

I really wanted to like this girl. The story itself was good, just could not believe her life would not get better, even after she meets prince charming. Cant seem to finish anything, quits school, quits jobs.wont finish therapy after she came so far. She's a mess. There were parts of this book i just could not put down and listened to for hours. But it just ended...dissapointing Too much masterbation!

Would you be willing to try another book from Wally Lamb? Why or why not?

No I was dissapointed in the ending.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably when she was getting her life in order after the dealth of grandmother and divorce from looser husband.

Any additional comments?

Reader is wonderful.

Linda Stephens is an amazing narrator.

This was one of my my fave books to read and I decided to give the audio book a shot. It does not disappoint. Fantastic performance by Linda Stephens.

I listened to this book because I remember loving it so much in college

I remember this being my favorite book one summer when I was in college. Now 20 years later I revisited it and remembered all the reasons that I loved it. Wally Lamb is one of the finest writers have had the pleasure of reading

NYT review was wrong

After reading the NYT review of this book, I bought and prepared myself for dysfunction and hilarity. The book is anything but funny. It's sad, very sad. Even listening to the 'funny' passages, it wasn't funny. Almost like you are meant to be laughing at the character, not with her. It was a good book, one I will remember, but not for the comedy.

Wonderful.

I don’t know why I added this to my wishlist, or why I picked it on a whim to listen to. But I’m so glad I did. I felt such a strong connection to the story and to Deloris. The narration and writing made the book addictive. In a lot of ways I felt like I was swimming in the pool with Deloris ; using her story and her insight to heal myself the same way she did throughout the story. I’m a 23 year old girl in 2020 and I still related so deeply to this character who would be my grandmothers age today because it’s such a timeless depiction of the human condition, of love and loss and disappointment and healing. I couldn’t stop listening.

great summer read

tithes is a very long book. just when you think that it is over, something else happens. this book just keeps stringing you along.