Shriver, Chris Belden
Shriver, Chris Belden
List: $16.95 | Sale: $11.87
Club: $8.47

Shriver
A Novel

Author: Chris Belden

Narrator: Grover Gardner

Unabridged: 7 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/05/2016

Synopsis

Mistaken for a famous but reclusive author of the same name, lonely Shriver attends a writers’ conference at a small midwestern liberal arts college. Completely unfamiliar with the novel he supposedly wrote and utterly unprepared for the magnitude of the reputation that precedes him, Shriver is feted, fawned over, featured at stuffy literary panels, and barely manages to play it cool. Things quickly go awry when one of the other guest authors suddenly disappears and Shriver becomes a prime suspect in the investigation. Amid eager fans, Shriver must contend with a persistent police detective, a pesky journalist determined to unearth his past, and a mysterious and possibly dangerous stalker who seems to know his secret. But most vexing of all, Shriver has fallen in love with the conference organizer, who believes he’s someone else.When the “real” Shriver (or is he?) arrives to claim his place among the literati, the conference—and Shriver’s world—threaten to unravel.Filled with witty dialogue, hilarious antics, and a cast of bizarre and endearing characters, Shriver is at once a touching love story, a surreal examination of identity, and an affectionate tribute to the power of writing.

About Chris Belden

Chris Belden is a writer whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including American Fiction, SN Review, and Skidrow Penthouse. He is coauthor of the feature film Amnesia and has also written extensively for the stage. Belden received an MFA from Fairfield University, where he went on to teach writing. He has also taught at nontraditional venues such as senior centers, soup kitchens, and a maximum-security prison.

About Grover Gardner

Alexander Adams is an award-winning audiobook narrator. He is best known for his reading of the novelization of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. He has also narrated numerous books by Jonathan Kellerman and John Grisham.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sarah

5 stars. Shriver isn't who everyone thinks he is, but maybe he's exactly who they need him to be. Hosts and guests of a literary conference think he's a reclusive writer with the same name, author of a famous eponymous novel. Eventually a famous poet goes missing and another Shriver appears Shriver......more

Goodreads review by Jacqueline

It's been several weeks since I finished reading Shriver by Chris Belden, and I'm still laughing. Take a small Midwest college writers' conference, a case of mistaken identity, and some wacky characters, mix them all together, and you've got Shriver. Full of satiric wit and farce, the story is consi......more

Goodreads review by Libby

I love books about writers and this one hits all the expected satirical notes in a satisfying way, but also retains an earnestness that writing isn't a futile, self-indulgent endeavor. Many lines had me laughing out loud. Looking forward to the movie adaptation.......more

Quotes

“A hoot…In a style somewhere between Evelyn Waugh and Mel Brooks, Belden’s satire lampoons all things literary but also, amazingly, convinces us to care about the fools that these mortals be.” Alan Davis, author of So Bravely Vegetative and Rumors from the Lost World

“A send-up of academia and literary pretension, as well as a poignant exploration of writerly insecurity.” Dani Shapiro, author of Slow Motion and Family History

“Shriver delivers intrigue, a cast of bizarre characters who are also somehow bizarrely believable, and moments of slapstick comedy that are laugh-out-loud funny—all the while exploring the deeply human need for meaning and connection. Read this book!” Elizabeth Hilts, author of Getting in Touch with Your Inner Bitch and Every Freaking! Day with Rachel Ray

“This picaresque and piquant satire of writers, academics, their quirky characters, and content-lacking conferences is reminiscent of David Lodge’s satiric spins on academe. Darkly comic, Shriver also reminded me of Martin Scorsese’s inversion of The Wizard of Oz in the movie After Hours—the obstacles, the quirky characters, the plot turns and pivots. Despite its ability to laugh at the writing world and its daffy denizens, Shriver nonetheless ultimately affirms the essential importance of the word.” Joan Connor, author of History Lessons and The World before Mirrors

“Hilarious and smart…Academic farces don’t come any better.” Richard Russo, bestselling author

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List