Preparation for the Next Life

By: Atticus Lish

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Zou Lei, orphan of the desert, migrates to work in America and finds herself slaving in New York's kitchens. She falls in love with a young man whose heart has been broken in another desert. A new life may be possible if together they can survive homelessness, lockup, and the young man's nightmares, which may be more prophecy than madness.

©2014 Atticus Lish (P)2015 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

• Winner of the 2015 PEN/Faulkner Award

“Dizzying in its ambition and exhilarating in its triumph." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Preparation for the Next Life isn’t just the best novel I’ve read this year, it may be the best novel I’ve read, ever. I’ve seen the book appearing on quite a few 'best of' lists recently—well deserved. And I am now a believer: this book should be in the conversation for a national prize." (Publishers Weekly, Best of 2014)

"Perhaps the finest and most unsentimental love story of the new decade." (The New York Times)

Wish I could be more positive

I so wanted to be uplifted, and was left depressed. Sad.

I always look for redeeming value...could not find it.

powerful

a nightmare view of the. lower world condemned to misery violence and squalor in the empires and metropolis. List makes you feel the terror and hopelessness A modern Les Miserables

An Incredible Work

Excellent writing; a riveting story that is visual, emotional and instructive. Lish brings the reader inside every characters head in a masterful way. Deserves every bit of praise he and the book have received.

Choppy, but Interesting...

Would you consider the audio edition of Preparation for the Next Life to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the book.

If you’ve listened to books by Atticus Lish before, how does this one compare?

I haven't - my first from Atticus Lish

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

He captured the personalities of the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Two moments that I thought were great. The first when skinner is allowed to sleep upstairs at the fast food place and the "run" where he felt drained and normal for the first time in a long time.

Any additional comments?

Loved the ending!

do not miss this one

Would you listen to Preparation for the Next Life again? Why?

This was one of the best books I have heard....ever. the reader's odd style aided in the story telling so much. I just loved this book, even though it was very depressing and sad. A look in to a apart of American life I have never heard about before.