In the Dream House Audiobook By Carmen Maria Machado cover art

In the Dream House

A Memoir

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In the Dream House

By: Carmen Maria Machado
Narrated by: Carmen Maria Machado
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In the Dream House is Carmen Maria Machado's engrossing and wildly innovative account of a relationship gone bad, and a bold dissection of the mechanisms and cultural representations of psychological abuse. Tracing the full arc of a harrowing relationship with a charismatic but volatile woman, Machado struggles to make sense of how what happened to her shaped the person she was becoming.

And it's that struggle that gives the book its original structure: each chapter is driven by its own narrative trope - the haunted house, erotica, the bildungsroman - through which Machado holds the events up to the light and examines them from different angles. She looks back at her religious adolescence, unpacks the stereotype of lesbian relationships as safe and utopian, and widens the view with essayistic explorations of the history and reality of abuse in queer relationships.

Machado's dire narrative is leavened with her characteristic wit, playfulness, and openness to inquiry. She casts a critical eye over legal proceedings, fairy tales, Star Trek, and Disney villains, as well as iconic works of film and fiction. The result is a wrenching, riveting book that explodes our ideas about what a memoir can do and be.

©2019 Carmen Maria Machado (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Accolades & Awards

LGBTQIA+ Essentials
Memoir Essentials
Lambda Literary Award
2020
The Publishing Triangle Award
2020
Caribbean Creators Domestic Partner Abuse LGBTQIA+ Creators LGBTQIA+ Essentials Lambda Literary Award Memoir Essentials Mental Health Awareness The Publishing Triangle Award Biographies & Memoirs Dysfunctional Relationships Thought-Provoking Women Memoir Gender Studies Abuse Funny Relationships Social Sciences Dysfunctional Families Parenting & Families Scary Law Fiction Inspiring

Featured Article: The top 100 memoirs of all time


All genres considered, the memoir is among the most difficult and complex for a writer to pull off. After all, giving voice to your own lived experience and recounting deeply painful or uncomfortable memories in a way that still engages and entertains is a remarkable feat. These autobiographies, often narrated by the authors themselves, shine with raw, unfiltered emotion sure to resonate with any listener. But don't just take our word for it—queue up any one of these listens, and you'll hear exactly what we mean.

Featured Article The top 100 memoirs of all time
Powerful Storytelling • Poetic Writing • Authentic Narration • Important Representation • Creative Structure

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The writing is tremendously brilliant. It is a powerful elixir of pain and strength. I moved through this book hungrily and am so glad to have done so. I was excited that it was narrated by Carmen herself but ultimately did find her narration a bit flat. Still adore this book though. I used to stare at the physical copy that sat in a place I have come to perceive at my “dream house” and brought it with me when I moved; a reminder and memorial.

A Gift. Truly.

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Absolutely amazing memoir written in the most beautiful way. I have learned so much about that time in Carmen’s life while also learning so much about film, writing, history, etc. this book in audio form is incredible.

The most unique writing

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Absolutely stunning and read beautifully by the author. Highly recommend a listen, but do take care of your mental health and take breaks if you need to, because it’s heavy.

One of the most moving books I’ve read in a long time

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Beautiful writing, some parts hit me hard. Truly amazing read overall and definitely worth a listen!

Writing

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Harsh and beautiful. I don't think I can give a better review than that.

Beautiful

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