Townie

A Memoir

By: Andre Dubus III

Narrated by: Andre Dubus III

Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Andre Dubus III, author of the National Book Award–nominated House of Sand and Fog and The Garden of Last Days, reflects on his violent past and a lifestyle that threatened to destroy him—until he was saved by writing.

After their parents divorced in the 1970s, Andre Dubus III and his three siblings grew up with their exhausted working mother in a depressed Massachusetts mill town saturated with drugs and crime. To protect himself and those he loved from street violence, Andre learned to use his fists so well that he was even scared of himself. He was on a fast track to getting killed—or killing someone else—or to beatings-for-pay as a boxer.

Nearby, his father, an eminent author, taught on a college campus and took the kids out on Sundays. The clash of worlds couldn’t have been more stark—or more difficult for a son to communicate to a father. Only by becoming a writer himself could Andre begin to bridge the abyss and save himself. His memoir is a riveting, visceral, profound meditation on physical violence and the failures and triumphs of love.

©2011 Andre Dubus (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The best first-person account of an author’s life I have ever read.” (James Lee Burke, New York Times best-selling author)

“In this gritty and gripping memoir, Dubus bares his soul in stunning and page-turning prose.” (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

“Powerful, haunting. . . . Beautifully written and bursting with life.” (Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review)

More like a 3.25 star rating

I have mixed feelings about this book, Dubus 111's memoir. It is raw and naked, violent and gentle and is about redemption. Dubus grows up in the mean streets near Boston. He is of in my generation, a teenager living with the backdrop of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Vietnam War on the television, the movie Billy Jack, Dave Brubeck on the parents turntable and lots available of drugs and sex. His absent father, not there at all for young Andre and his siblings, is always on Andre's mind and in his heart. As an adult, Dubus 111 clearly forgives his father and is abundantly understanding of why he and his sisters and brother were virtually ignored. He quotes his father as saying he felt as though he was "dating his children" since he was afforded only a weeknight and weekend day visitation schedule. I couldn't help but wonder if this contact schedule was self imposed or mandated.
Poverty stricken adolescent Andre turns to violence; is it because of the cultural, interpersonal, internal and familial conflicts he endures? And in the face of his violent acts he strives for clarity. His wish is granted; he comes to believe that all violence just breeds more violence and as he says, it hurts.
Although it makes sense to me that an author would want to narrate his audio book, especially a memoir, I don't think Mr. Dubus' narration does his prose favor. The narration is flat and monotone and although this in a way works, as this is indeed Andre's voice, maybe it's the editing I disliked. His voice comes on and off in spurts, clearly read in random segments so it was mottled in terms of tone, volume and clarity. Overall, I do think I liked this book, and I do so love this author's other works, it just was a bit of a mix for me. I look forward to others' reviews.

Painful and endearing and in the end...hopeful

Mr Dubus has created a wonderful, harsh, rawly open read that could only come from his depths...by digging deeper into his being than most of us are willing to even contemplate and examine in detailed accounts of his life experiences from his earliest recollections in his parent's home to the finality of a father's burial. This is not a feel good read but rather an intense self evaluation of chilhood lived in poverty, of human struggle and growth expressed with both quiet composition and understated power. Through out the read, I felt the author's character in his commitment to remain true to his recollections no matter how unflattering to his person and come away feeling privileged to have been allowed to share his journey and life lessons.

I lived in Haverhill in the 80's. So many memories the author brought up. it was a very tough town, but I loved it.

the bum that he calls crazy jack, was actually named crazy Mike. He was scarey to us kids..He died not to long ago..

Deep, truth of humanity

Would you listen to Townie again? Why?

I would listen again in a couple of years. That means a lot because I like to experience books I have never read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator (author) is someone I relate to as I grew up during the same time, in Hyde Park. I remembered the forced buissing and shameful pbehavior of adults in the 70's. I remember the influx of Iranian exchange students in high school, then in college....and the predjudice.

What three words best describe Andre Dubus III’s performance?

HONEST, MEMORIES, YEARNING

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The real 70's

Any additional comments?

I was thrilled the movie

Great Read!

If you could sum up Townie in three words, what would they be?

Heartfelt, Honest, Genuine

Who was your favorite character and why?

Andre III, just cuz he's the main character and who you know the most about. I appreciated his insights and growth.

Which scene was your favorite?

The making of the casket.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

It seemed like a very unique read, like it was just a straight-out stream of consciousness but it all flowed so naturally and smoothly. He did a great job of giving sensual cues that let you be at the locale of the scene.

Interesting story - monotonous reading

The story of the author’s life was engaging, honest and at times brutal. I felt I understood his choices.

The audio reader and his style were very problematic. His vocal cadence was excruciatingly repetitive and monotonous - no variation, no emotional expression. I wanted to hear the whole story and had to grit my teeth to tolerate the voice actor.

Exceptional. The journey from youthful fear and doubt to maturity and understanding

Powerful writing, the story, the beauty, the rawness, insight and generosity of spirit. Highly recommended.

Really Resonates

I loved this memoir. Dubus zeroes in on the angst of being a poor young man in a single parent household and methodically lays out his life for all to see, moving from a kid who allows himself, his friends, and, most painfully, his family, to be pushed around and bullied at will by others, to his years as a fighter, and one who made a point of interceding on behalf of others' turmoil. Finally, he begins writing in earnest, and through his writing begins to understand his best role in the world. It is heartfelt, open, and honest. I found it difficult at times to hear of the physical confrontations with others, but he redeems himself, both for himself and the reader. Great memoir, highly recommended.

Townie

This is a beautiful story of love and forgiveness. And of personal growth beyond
Youth circumstances. It shows that one can
Achieve, regardless of circumstances. This
Entire family grew to heights not imaginable.
And last of all the importance of a fathers love.

Soporific listening

How could the performance have been better?

The book is interesting. It is a memoir without intrigue and cohesive story.
The narrator is awful: steady soporific voice hypnotizes. Be careful listening this book in the car - extremely dangerous. Read this book it is safer.