A Single Man Audiobook By Christopher Isherwood cover art

A Single Man

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A Single Man

By: Christopher Isherwood
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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When A Single Man was originally published, it shocked many with its frank, sympathetic, and moving portrayal of a gay man in midlife. George, the protagonist, is adjusting to life on his own after the sudden death of his partner, and determines to persist in the routines of his daily life. The course of A Single Man spans 24 hours in an ordinary day.

An Englishman and a professor living in suburban Southern California, he is an outsider in every way, and his internal reflections and interactions with others reveal a man who loves being alive despite everyday injustices and loneliness.

Wry, suddenly manic, constantly funny, surprisingly sad, this novel catches the texture of life itself.

©1992 Don Bachardy (P)2009 HighBridge Company

Accolades & Awards

LGBTQIA+ Essentials
LGBTQIA+ Creators LGBTQIA+ Essentials Literature & Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Fiction Genre Fiction

Critic reviews

"A testimony to Isherwood's undiminished brilliance as a novelist." (Anthony Burgess)

Featured Article: Audible Essentials—The Top 100 LGBTQIA+ Listens of All Time


While LGBTQIA+ creators have been around for millennia, it’s only recently that we’ve been hearing more diverse, more queer-authored, and more queer-performed stories about the entire spectrum of LGBTQIA+ experiences and identities. This list—just like the community it represents—is meant to be fluid. But most importantly, it’s meant to celebrate and reflect on the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.

Featured Article Audible Essentials The Top 100 LGBTQIA+ Listens of All Time
Beautiful Prose • Emotional Depth • Excellent Narration • Well-developed Protagonist • Engaging Storyline

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I didn’t particularly liked the storyline as it maid me feel sad and depressed for most of the book the only part that I enjoyed was much closer towards the end. Honestly, I liked the ending and there are a lot of very interesting thoughts in here, all I’m saying is that this is not a lighthearted read.

The whole book is like a strain of thought

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This is a truly great book with an absolutely splendid narration. Isherwood is a remarkable author and it’s a pity that there are so few of his titles available on audio. Simon Prepple’s narration is flawless. A truly great listening experience!

Absolutely splendid!!

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The narrative structure, intertwined with direct,complex,yet almost sparse prose,tells a compelling slice-of-life tale.And there has never been a more beautiful description of a heart attack anywhere in literature.

Strong character and clever expository prose

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Unusual for it's time and still today--this pathetic yet often humorous description of a bereft, aging, highly self-aware homosexual.

Well-done

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Would you listen to A Single Man again? Why?

when the story was over i immediately started the story over!

Who was your favorite character and why?

george is the main character and is the meat of the story. i am straight and in my thirties, but i can still relate to his life.

What does Simon Prebble bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

his narration was beyond fantastic. his accent and tone made george so much realer. i usually don't like voices like this, but i feel the simon really captured georges character

Who was the most memorable character of A Single Man and why?

George most definitely.

Any additional comments?

i watched the trailer for the movie and was extremely disappointed. the main plot for the movie was merely a paragraph in the book. isn't that how it always goes though?

absolutely amazing

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