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The Last Chairlift

By: John Irving
Narrated by: Nancy Wu, Erin Ruth Walker, Travis Tonn, Natasha Soudek, Pete Simonelli, Aida Reluzco, Natalie Naudus, Chanté McCormick, Graham Halstead, Aden Hakimi, Em Grosland, Piper Goodeve, Chris Henry Coffey, Cassandra Campbell, full cast
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Summary

John Irving, one of the world’s greatest novelists, returns with his first novel in seven years—a ghost story, a love story and a lifetime of sexual politics.

In Aspen, Colorado, in 1941, Rachel Brewster is a slalom skier at the National Downhill and Slalom Championships. Little Ray, as she is called, finishes nowhere near the podium, but she manages to get pregnant. Back home, in New England, Little Ray becomes a ski instructor.

Her son, Adam, grows up in a family that defies conventions and evades questions concerning the eventful past. Years later, looking for answers, Adam will go to Aspen. In the Hotel Jerome, where he was conceived, Adam will meet some ghosts; in The Last Chairlift, they aren’t the first or the last ghosts he sees.

John Irving has written some of the most acclaimed books of our time—among them, The World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules. A visionary voice on the subject of sexual tolerance, Irving is a bard of alternative families. In The Last Chairlift, listeners will once more be in his thrall.

Full Cast: Nancy Wu, Erin Ruth Walker, Travis Tonn, Natasha Soudek, Pete Simonelli, Aida Reluzco, Natalie Naudus, Chanté McCormick, Graham Halstead, Aden Hakimi, Em Grosland, Piper Goodeve, Chris Henry Coffey, Cassandra Campbell, Raquel Beattie, Jacques Roy.

©2022 John Irving (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, UK
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Irving least interesting book

In short too repetitive. No real development. Same people, with same dialogue on the same subject all the time….

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stunning

an important novel. every Irving novel is my favourite Irving novel..this has so.much to like and think about.
Irving is a perfect writer. this is a perfect novel.
brilliant narration.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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A Struggle

I love John Irving’s works and have listened to all the audiobooks he’s released. This one was a struggle, and has been my least favourite. The story was good but there are (again) a large number of recycled plot elements, I found the endless “screenplay” elements and additional voice-cast particularly jarring and it is just way too long. I resorted to playing it at 1.2x speed just to get through it. Not one I’d revisit.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I so wanted to love this

I’m a big fan of John Irving and enjoy so much of his work. This though was a book I just couldn’t get that much from. It seemed a bit indulgent and rambling. Super long too.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good but too long

Not John’s best novel but he’s a great storyteller. I loved the complexities of this complex ‘family’ and their unconventional relationships and John explores LGBTQ +, sex and gender bravely. However, l felt some boundaries bordered on sexual abuse without challenge and this bothered me. I was also bored by the script writing interjections. Overall I’m glad to have listened as there was much to be enjoyed but…

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must for any John Irving fan!

Larger than life characters and wonderful narration. John Irving's words are entertaining and soothing.


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Can’t wait to listen again

This was another fantastic book from John Irving and the pace of the audio book was perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a run!

Beautiful, heartbreaking, witty and twisted. Everything and more that I’ve come to expect from Irving. Love love loved it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A marathon but worth it

I love John Irving’s books but I almost gave up on this one early on. I’m so glad I persevered. It is a beautifully written book, complex and sometimes tricky to follow but I found myself totally immersed in it. As with all Audio books the narration can make or break them. I absolutely loved this narration. Overall a brilliant listen.

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Tough but worth it

I loved the way this story unfolded and all the connections made between the characters. The screenplay chapters I personally found tough, but it was worthwhile persevering.

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