All the Little Live Things

By: Wallace Stegner

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Joe Allston, the retired literary agent in Stegner’s National Book Award-winning novel The Spectator Bird, returns in this disquieting and keenly observed novel.

Scarred by the senseless death of their son and baffled by the engulfing chaos of the 1960s, Allston and his wife, Ruth, have left the coast for a California retreat. And although their new home looks like Eden, it also has its serpents: Jim Peck, a messianic exponent of drugs, yoga, and sex, and Marian Catlin, an attractive young woman whose otherwordly innocence is far more appealing—and far more dangerous.

©1967 Wallace Stegner (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Timely and timeless....Will hold any reader to its last haunting page.” ( Chicago Tribune)

“A novel of crackling vividness.” ( New York Times Book Review)

Intense observation

Edward Hermann’s narration is masterful. Steiner’s powers of observation and expression fantastic. Not a joyful book.

Brilliant Book!

Brilliant book with superb narration. I absolutely loved how real and relatable these characters were and how expertly written it was. Herrmann captured each character's nuances beautifully.

Brilliant Prose beautifully read

This pastorale novel of life in a rural Ca land ranch bristles with life in all its manifestations. It will be with mor a long time. Heartbreaking and human.

Stunning Writing and Performance

Truly beautiful writing. Ed Herman's performance is intimate and heartbreaking. The best kind of Audible experience. I highly recommend this and the previous novel in this series The Spectator Bird.

Herrmann Strikes Again

Ed Herrmann provides a masterful performance of this under-appreciated Stegner novel. Listening was a treat, a privilege. Read it (or listen)!