Title: The Nobodies Album
Author: Carolyn Parkhurst
Narrator: Kimberley Parr
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
ISBN: 0307714713
Pages: 320
Audio: 11 hours 21 minutes
Year: 2010
Publisher: Random House Audio
Source: Library
Rating: 4/5
Plot Summary:
Octavia Frost is a successful novelist with a tragic past. When her estranged son, Milo, a pretty famous musician (I guess fame runs in families?), is accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, she flies across the country to be with him. Octavia is determined to win her son’s love back and clear his name. As if being part-mystery and part-family drama weren’t enough, the book is interspersed with alternate endings to Octavia’s novels.
My Thoughts:
I have never read anything like The Nobodies Album before. Parkhurst’s idea to include excerpts of original and alternate endings to her fictional character’s fictional novels within her own novel was so unique that I wasn’t sure it would work. But rather than distract from the main story, these excerpts added to it.
Now, you might think that reading the endings only of fictional novels would be confusing and/or boring. But it wasn’t. I wanted to read these novels. They were all very different and well-thought out. I actually liked some of them more than the main story. The main story was fine, but it was these extras were what made the novel.
I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read the print version. The audio was fine. Kimberley Farr was an excellent narrator. I just sometimes had a hard time with the jumps back and forth between the various stories. If I tuned out for a second, there was a chance I would miss a transition.
Overall, I would recommend the novel but I would probably suggest trying the print version over the audio.
Other Reviews: Devourer of Books; The Literate Housewife; S. Krishna’s Books; Books and Movies; Take Me Away
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my books. my life. 
An interesting idea, mixing the character’s novels into this one. I agree that sometimes one format works better than another (Jon Stewart’s EARTH was a DNF on audio for me).
I haven’t yet read Carolyn Parkhurst (I have LOST AND FOUND waiting on the shelf).
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Sounds like an interesting book. What a different idea to add in elements of the fictional authors fictional stories into it.
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Sometimes a book doesn’t work as an audiobook. Sounds interesting though. Love your sideways snow!
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I could see where this one would be easier to follow along in print form. I’m glad you still liked it though! I thought it was so creative!
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This looks like a wonderful book, Michelle! I love the alternate endings 🙂 It reminds me of a short story by Jeffrey Archer called ‘One Man’s Meat’ that I read many years back which had alternate endings, which made it fascinating. Thanks for this great review!
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I’ve read this one, and I think it would be hard to follow or absorb on audio. Definitely a very creatie book!
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