The World as We Know It

Author Joseph Monninger
Narrator Michael Goldstrom
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Publish Date 15 November 2012
Run Time 8 hours and 58 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Family life fiction, Fiction: general and literary.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

From the author of the acclaimed novel Eternal on the Water, whose style is described as "Henry David Thoreau meets Nicholas Sparks" (Publishers Weekly), comes a novel about two brothers who save a girl from drowning when they are young—an experience that intertwines their destinies and changes their lives forever.

On an early spring afternoon in rural New Hampshire, two brothers, Ed and Allard, are ice skating when they discover a girl who, with her dogs, has broken through thin ice and is caught in the river's eddy. They are able to rescue her, and as a result, a special bond forms among all three—but particularly between Allard and Sarah.

As they grow up, the brothers remain close, creating their own film production company to shoot nature footage in the wild. Sarah, gaining success on her own as a writer, always manages to remain a part of their lives. In the days before Allard's wedding, tragedy strikes during a bachelor's outing in the remote mountains of Wyoming. The heartbreaking incident puts the grief-stricken Allard and Sarah on separate trajectories that will test the bonds of their relationship and time's unremitting power to heal.

Set against the sweeping natural backdrops of rural New England and Wyoming, The World as We Know It is subtle, heartrending, and transformative—a love story of friendship, nature, and the surprising twists that can alter our destinies forever.

Critics Review

u201cJoe Monninger beautifully captures the essence of childhood adventure and the sweet innocence of falling in love for the first time. Fans of John Irving, you have a new author to love.u201d

Lisa Genova,u00a0New York Timesu00a0bestselling author

u201cA tender, gentle, achingly beautiful tale that is impossible to put down.u201d

Jamie Ford,u00a0New York Timesu00a0bestselling author

u201cThe beauty and brutality of nature unfolds in The World as We Know Itu2014a touching tale of love, the wounds of loss, and the fragile complexities with the human heart.u201d

Beth Hoffman,u00a0New York Timesu00a0bestselling author

u201cThe combination of romantic love with adventure and bone-deep understanding of the wild is both compelling and transcendentu2026With echoes of Hemingway, The World as We Know It is nothing short of brilliant.u201d

Luanne Rice,u00a0New York Timesu00a0bestselling author

u201cMonningeru2019s imagery resonates long into the night, while your lamp burns oil because you cannot put the book down until the last page is turned.u201d

Romantic Timesu00a0(four stars)

u201cCritically acclaimed Monninger, known for outstanding character development and lavish landscapes, does it again with this tale of young New Hampshire brothers and the world they constructu2026Monninger presents a fascinating exploration about true love, fate, and the roads taken in life.u201d

Publishers Weekly

u201cMonninger has homed in on the beauty and cruelty of the natural world in this gripping and moving story of loss and understanding. Readersu2026will revel in Monningeru2019s warm and graceful descriptions of rural New Hampshire and his adept understanding of the landscape of human relationships.u201d
n

Booklist

u201cThis ruminative, poetic novel may resonate with modern fiction readers as well as lovers of the outdoors.u201d

Library Journal

u201cAs a narrator, Goldstrom strengthens the novelu2019s perspective on how grief and the pivotal moments it brings can change the course of a life, the people involved, and a story.u201d

AudioFile

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.