The Woman Who Wouldnt, Gene Wilder
The Woman Who Wouldnt, Gene Wilder
List: $7.50 | Sale: $5.25
Club: $3.75

The Woman Who Wouldn't

Author: Gene Wilder

Narrator: Gene Wilder

Unabridged: 2 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/18/2008


Synopsis

The beloved actor and screenwriter’s second novel, set in 1903, stars a young concert violinist named Jeremy Webb, who one day goes from accomplished adagios with the Cleveland Orchestra to having a complete breakdown onstage. If he hadn’t poured a glass of water down the throat of a tuba, maybe he wouldn’t have been sent to a health resort in Badenweiler, Germany. But it’s in that serene place that Jeremy meets Clara Mulpas, whom he tries his hardest to seduce.

Clara is so beautiful that Jeremy finds it im­possible to keep from trying to detect a chink in her extraordinary reserve and elegance. He realizes he is reflexively flirting to get a reaction–after all, a tease and a wink have always worked before, with women back home. But flirting probably isn’t the best way to appeal to a woman who was married to a dumb brute and doesn’t want to have anything more to do with men. Jeremy isn’t sure how to press his case–but he won’t give up.

Wilder’s prose is elegant, spare, and affecting. But it’s his romantic’s eye for the intense emotions that animate a real love story that makes THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN’T an unforgettable audiobook.

About The Author

Gene Wilder was a beloved American film actor. Perhaps his most iconic role was as the whimsical chocolatier Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. He was also well known for his collaborations with Mel Brooks. Wilder gave acclaimed comedic performances in The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. He acted multiple times opposite Richard Pryor. Gene Wilder passed away in 2016 at the age of 83, after a long and storied acting career.


Reviews

Had no idea that Gene Wilder wrote books. . . .and was crazy happy to find out he did. Then I read this - so sad. Beautiful story, fine writing, but like Gene himself, he was always himself in every skit, every movie, every song, and now - this book. The main character is him. . . the love interest i......more

Goodreads review by Bryan

When I picked it up, this was NOT the story I expected to read. I am VERY surprised that none of the reviews I read so far mentioned Gilda Radner, but then I didn't read ALL of the reviews, and mybe folks just don't know the story. I mention her here because THIS story is exactly what I think he wou......more

A review in two parts... Highly biased and subjective review I love you Gene Wilder, I Love You, you brilliant wonderful man! Slightly more objective review Jeremy Web, a pseudo stand-in for Wilder, is a famous concert violinist from America who totally loses it during one of his performances and......more

Goodreads review by Katey

This is the first book I have finished in one day. It’s short, sweet, real and to the point. Gene Wilder was made to entertain us and he further proves that in this beautiful novel. It’s 1903 and Jeremy Webber is a violinist that has a breakdown during a concern in front of a large audience. He is se......more

Goodreads review by Melissa

I listened to this short story in audio format and was pleased to find that it was narrated by the author himself. Although I really enjoyed the story itself, I couldn’t imagine it being told by anyone other than Gene Wilder. Other reviewers have mentioned comparisons to this story and his real life......more