Emotional and thoughtful.

A well narrated and cleverly sequenced story of one boy's hope to find meaning in chaos. Each character draws you into their world and leaves you wanting to know more. Not great if you are after a fast paced novel but if you are after intriguing characters and space to build your own story, worth a listen.

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You can smile through the sad parts

It took me a while to get into this book as it jumps a bit, but once you understand it is going to do that you can relax into the story. It is about a young boy, Oskar, who is trying to cope with the loss of his father and starts a journey. In the background we hear from other family members and from people he meets. It is weird as you can smile though some sad parts, definitively worth a listen or a read.

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4 people found this helpful

Beautiful and heartbreaking

I loved the book and this audio version was told so well. Highly recommended.

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Extremely interesting character/s

It was difficult at the beginning and I was wondering shall I continue reading it but as much as I was reading I couldn't put it down. it's moving story and I even cried in the end.

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breaks your heart and strengthens your soul

Like many people, 9-11 was a watershed for me and still causes me pain to think about that terrible day and the way it changed the world. So I hesitated watch the movie based on this book. I did see it and later decided to listen to the audible book. I am so glad that I did. The book is far richer and deeper than the movie. It tells how families can wish for the best things but still get things terribly wrong - it talks about guilt but it also talks about courage. Oscar is a super hero in my mind. He is so brave yet so vulnerable - and he brings such poignant joy to the people he meets on his journey towards his dad and his family. His mom has a small but crucial role in how she gave Oscar space to deal with the loss of his father while she had her own devils. I want to read the book again - and again - and again -- I believe that each time this book is read is another revelation - and an affirmation of life and love - even beyond the grave

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13 people found this helpful

Extraordinary Tale of a Youth's ordeal and hunt

Would you consider the audio edition of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close to be better than the print version?

The print version has some pictures that the audiobook cannot replicate.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It has me intrigued into the boy's frame of mind and train of thought.

Any additional comments?

Very good on book, audiobook and film.

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Extremely good

I'd seen the film of Everything is Illuminated, so wanted to give this a listen. Because there are a few different narratives in it, and they are played out by different actors I did wonder if there was a mistake and chapter two was from a different book, however I was wrong and the alternate chapter narrations worked amazingly well.

There are loads of upsides to this story, particularly the interwoven sub plots, the only negative thing is the narrative from Oskar is definitely not from the mind of a nine year old boy, but once I'd got over that that it sounded like the mind of an odd thirty year old I loved it.


Great Audiobook, and perfectly narrated, to it's credit it is well worth a credit.

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3 people found this helpful

If you like Goldfinch .....

Not one to write long reviews but the portrayal of a child struggling with grief/depression with such humour and insight was so brilliant that it is up there with Goldfinch, Catcher in the Rye and The Bell Jar. Also put me in
mind of May We All Be Forgiven.
Cannot recommend it more highly.

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Easy listen

Narration sounded so realistic as if I were watching people talk to eachother, story was easy to follow, pace was perfect.

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Heart felt

very good narration and story. sad but sweet and happy too. enjoyable to the last.

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