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Unabridged Digital Audiobook
Runtime: 10 hours, 1 minute
Read by Julia Whelan
No matter how hard we try to cover up the pain of the past, it always seems to find a way to rear its ugly head. And in the audio edition of The Sequel by author Jean Hanff Korelitz, a successful novelist tries to cover up her dark history after it comes back to haunt her.
The story finds Anna Williams-Bonner—the widow of legendary author Jacob Finch Bonner—enjoying her own literary success. After her husband’s death, she just wanted to fade away into obscurity—to live off her husband’s royalties and go about her life. But then she decided to give writing a try. Her debut novel, The Afterword—a semi-autobiographical story of an author who ends his own life after being harassed by plagiarism claims—takes the publishing industry by storm. But it also brings unwanted attention—and it becomes clear that someone knows the secrets she’s worked so hard to bury.
As Anna talks to the press and sets out on tour, it never even occurs to her that someone might bring up her past. She’s done an excellent job of covering her tracks—and as far as anyone knows, she’s just a former radio producer who married a famous author, who then tragically died shortly after they were married. But during a book signing in Denver, her carefree new life as an author comes crumbling down. All Anna has ever wanted was to control her own story—and now that’s being threatened once again, turning creative Anna into cunning, calculating, self-protecting Anna.
Though Anna’s story was introduced in the author’s previous novel, The Plot, The Sequel can easily stand on its own. New readers may miss out on a little bit of background development, but it doesn’t take long to catch up as the author builds the action and tension in a way that’s entirely engrossing. Anna certainly isn’t a likable character. Her past is dark and tragic—and the more you get to know her, the worse her story gets—yet it’s a captivating story, written with strength and a razor-sharp sense of humor that will keep readers on edge until the final page.
Of course, if you’re looking for a light, easygoing listen for your next road trip or your morning walk through the neighborhood, that’s not The Sequel. Instead, it’s a dark and haunting thriller that’s full of surprises.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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