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My Ex-Life  By  cover art

My Ex-Life

By: Stephen McCauley
Narrated by: George Newbern
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Publisher's summary

This program includes a bonus interview with the author.

From Stephen McCauley comes a long-anticipated audiobook about love, life, and friendship

David Hedges’ life is coming apart at the seams. His job helping San Francisco rich kids get into the colleges of their (parents’) choice is exasperating; his younger boyfriend has left him; and the beloved carriage house he rents is being sold. His solace is a Thai takeout joint that delivers 24/7.

The last person he expects to hear from is Julie Fiske. It’s been decades since they’ve spoken, and he’s relieved to hear she’s recovered from her brief, misguided first marriage. To him. Julie definitely doesn’t have a problem with marijuana (she’s given it up completely, so it doesn’t matter if she gets stoned almost daily) and the Airbnb she’s running out of her seaside house north of Boston is neither shabby nor illegal. And she has two whole months to come up with the money to buy said house from her second husband before their divorce is finalized.

She’d just like David’s help organizing college plans for her 17-year-old daughter. That would be Mandy. To quote Barry Manilow, Oh Mandy. While she knows she’s smarter than most of the kids in her school, she can’t figure out why she’s making so many incredibly dumb and increasingly dangerous choices.

When David flies east, they find themselves living under the same roof (one David needs to repair). David and Julie pick up exactly where they left off 30 years ago - they’re still best friends who can finish each other’s sentences. But there’s one broken bit between them that no amount of home renovations will fix.

In prose filled with hilarious and heartbreakingly accurate one-liners, Stephen McCauley has written an audiobook that examines how we define home, family, and love. Be prepared to laugh, shed a few tears, and have thoughts of your own ex-life triggered. (Throw pillows optional.)

©2018 Stephen McCauley (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"McCauley’s effervescent prose is full of wit and wisdom on every topic - college application essays, Airbnb operation, weed addiction, live porn websites, and, most of all, people.... A gin and tonic for the soul." (Kirkus)

"With My Ex-Life, a heartwarming comedy of manners about second chances and starting afresh, [Stephen McCauley] has pretty much outdone himself...McCauley fires off witticisms like a tennis ace practicing serves...In the vein of inveterate beguilers like Laurie Colwin, Elinor Lipman, and Maria Semple, McCauley is warm but snappy, light but smart - and just plain enjoyable." (NPR)

"A clever novel about exes reconnecting...Do not underestimate McCauley's witty insights or his ability to make middle-aged, sexless companionship seem wildly appealing." (People)

What listeners say about My Ex-Life

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SO ENJOYABLE!

I usually listen to dark, disturbing mysteries, so this was a fun change of pace! Equal parts funny and sentimental, I instantly liked all the characters - even the teen, whose personality is typically written to annoy you, at every turn, was, instead, likable and surprisingly insightful. Was happy to learn Stephen also authored Object of My Affection, with my fav not-real-life-couple starring in the movie. Hope he continues to churn out new material!

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5 people found this helpful

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Intriguing

I really enjoyed this book. The story, the characters, the spoken thoughts. I am so bummed I cannot find another Stephen McCauley book on Audible. Please bring another one of his books to Audible. Until then, I’ll listen to My Ex-Life again.

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3 people found this helpful

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Good Read

The reunion of divorced mates through the need of true friendship and acceptance kept this story intriguing

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3 people found this helpful

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Frustrating

A very frustrating book about dumb people making bad choices around awful friends. So...basically life.

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2 people found this helpful

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A wonderful read

So funny, so enjoyable, I couldn't put it down. The characters became alive as you melt into their lives. The dry wit will have you laughing out loud. Highly recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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What a delight!

Please listen to this book; everything about it is a delight. It's a shining example of the genre with witty and insightful language; quirky characters; unique plot points. I can't wait to listen to it again. Good narration too!

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Great story... Great narration.

I really love listening to this book. Story is wonderful and surprising. the narrator was just perfect.

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Thoroughly enjoyable audiobook

Apart from the mispronounciation of a neighborhood in San Francisco, this book’s narration is wonderful! 😄 McCauley continues his literary tradition of being like a wise, witty and empathetic friend. I enjoyed everything about this novel, and was melancholy when it ended.

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Good story, narrator didn't get it

I've never had this experience before with an Audible book, where the narrator just ruined the story for me altogether. The accents were terrible (and unnecessary), and he maintained the same vaguely bored cadence throughout. Many, many times he lazily put emphasis on the wrong word/s in a sentence and I had to mentally correct for what the author was obviously trying to say. Every character sounded the same somehow, and the humor that should have been conveyed by this funny author was lost. So disappointed - should have just read this one in print.

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Delightful and entertaining

I normally keep an audio book going during my daily commute to work. My Ex-Life was completely enveloping which had me carrying my phone around with me most of the weekend until I finished the book! I fell in love with the characters and the sweet story line so much I looked for other books on Audible by Stephen Mc Cauley and was disappointed not to find any others. Excellent and captivating reader too I look forward to hearing again.

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