Town & Country
Written by Jess Walter
Narrated by Braden Wright
4/5
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About this audiobook
From the bestselling author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller Beautiful Ruins, a father-son story that underscores why Jess Walter is not only among the funniest writers working today but among the most bighearted and humane.
Jay is nothing like his hard-drinking, skirt-chasing, blue-collar dad. He’s college-educated, works as a graphic designer, prefers white wine to whiskey, and is gay—a fact that’s been lost, with so much else, in the growing fog of his father’s dementia. When the woman with whom his dad has lived for decades throws him out (thanks to a little neighborly infidelity), Jay moves his dad in with him in Boise—at least temporarily—until he can find an eldercare facility for the old man. But the search turns out to be far more complicated than Jay realized—what place will not only care for his dad but let him be who he imperfectly is, bad habits and all? The answer to that question takes father and son to a 1950s-style motor inn, the Town & Country Senior Inn, where the only therapy on offer is nostalgia and happy hour starts at 3:30.
In turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Town & Country describes a son’s greatest act of tolerance and acceptance in a world—a distinctly American one—that hasn’t always shown him the same. It’s a story, as only Jess Walter could write it, about all the ways we cannot help but love each other even when, owing to political, regional, and generational divisions, we do not, and maybe cannot, understand each other.
Jess Walter
Jess Walter is the author of six novels, including the bestsellers Beautiful Ruins and The Financial Lives of the Poets, the National Book Award finalist The Zero, and Citizen Vince, the winner of the Edgar Award for best novel. His short fiction has appeared in Harper's, McSweeney's, and Playboy, as well as The Best American Short Stories and The Best American Nonrequired Reading. He lives in his hometown of Spokane, Washington.
More audiobooks from Jess Walter
Beautiful Ruins: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Zero: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Financial Lives of the Poets Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Cold Millions: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Angel of Rome: And Other Stories Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Reviews for Town & Country
309 ratings27 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nice little story with some humor. I enjoyed it very much
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Writer is just full of so much self-loving. criticize every character and their and highlights their negative aspects as the only characteristics. More creative writers shows well-rounded characters and make you sympathize and understand both sides of argument. Don't waste your time reading.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This story came at a time in my life that I really needed to understand my own father. Although not quite the character in the story, learning how to care for aging parents and yourself at the same time as well illustrated
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's a short story, which was a surprise, I thought I was embarking on a novel and it's so fun, I'm sorry it isn't a longer work. But it is a great short story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5I didn’t really see any point or any real story in the book. The father was beyond crude. Are there really any old men like that out there? It wasn’t funny at all, or maybe it’s just not my kind of humour.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Funny!! I wish it was at least twice this length, and that’s saying something because I’m usually critical about stories being too long.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very funny story. Wish it were longer. A plus plus.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Hilarious! I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the author's lecherous father.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Original yet old as time and spurt out coffee funny.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So utterly charming. The story reminds me of my mother.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jess Walter’s short stories are some of my favorite—brilliantly gives a glimpse into a life that feels so real you forget it’s fiction
3 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent funny and well read I wish it continued ie was series
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Although it deals with a serious issue, it is somehow funny. Good to read.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very enjoyable story. I really felt for the hero. Having a parent with dementia is a test of endurance.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5LOL observations -great mini- therapy for carers of old coot parents. Glad I dismissed the unnecessary American jingoism contained in the description and have it a go.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Funny. Love to laugh. Narrator makes all the difference Narrative isn’t monotone.
3 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am a happy heterosexual Mormon who voted for Trump and miss him in the White House. My first husband didn't get out of the closet before we had 3 kids. The marriage lasted 5 years, the friendship 45. I appreciate the giggles I got listening to this bit of fluff. Thank goodness we live in a land where it is ok to choose your own happiness .
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A great father/son story! Sweet and endearing. An easy read.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Cringe shitlib garbage. Avoid. W
The writer is pathetic. Toilet paper book.1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A moving take, told with sensitivity, insight and a gentle humour. I look forward to reading more work by this fine author.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Not even ten minutes in and the author decides to turn what is supposed to be an entertaining short story, into a piece of opinionated political bullshit. I'll be sure to avoid any "scribd originals" from now on.
3 people found this helpful
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Once again the book audio failed. I get a few chapters into a book and then there is a message saying there is a problem. Please advise or I will have to cancel the subscription
Linda - Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Nope nada stopped in the 1st Chapter. When you HAVE to put today’s politics in your book, I’m done. No need to slam one party over another. I won’t support that so good luck with your writing- I won’t be reading any of your work.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5If you’ve had any experience with Alzheimer’s at all, you’ll enjoy this lighthearted and touching short story. If you have no experience with it at all, it’s a pretty real representation of the challenges and adventures of Alzheimer’s care.
2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5It was okay but just a little strange. A lot of stress on author’s agenda rather than just a story
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Yet another highly political book bashing Trump if you support Trump just move on past this one getting tired of political books.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved the characters. I loved the political viewpoint. It made me laugh out loud, while being deeply touching.
1 person found this helpful