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The First Bad Man
- Narrated by: Miranda July
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
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The First Bad Man
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Summary
A Guardian literary highlight for 2015
A Huffington Post 'One to Watch' in 2015
An Amazon Rising Star 2015
"Astounding" (Lena Dunham, creator of Girls and author of Not That Kind of Girl)
"The First Bad Man brings together all of July's talents - it's a book that must be read, a book that must be purchased - in duplicate - one for you, one for a friend. Don't think you can loan this book - you'll never get it back" (A. M. Homes, author of This Book Will Save Your Life and May We Be Forgiven)
The first novel by the filmmaker, artist and bestselling author Miranda July confirms her as a spectacularly original, iconic, and important voice today, and a writer for all time. The First Bad Man is dazzling and unforgettable.
Critic reviews
"The First Bad Man brings together all of July's talents - it's a book that must be read, a book that must be purchased - in duplicate - one for you, one for a friend. Don't think you can loan this book - you'll never get it back" (A. M. Homes, author of This Book Will Save Your Life and May We Be Forgiven)
What listeners say about The First Bad Man
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- P. Target
- 21-01-19
an amazing story so much better to hear
absolutely relentlessly inventive and incisive story that Miranda July's reading takes to the next level by revealing and allowing the humour to show through.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hannah
- 24-02-15
Anything but kooky
What made the experience of listening to The First Bad Man the most enjoyable?
It is always special when a writer reads their own work, but July's use of tone and verbal inflection is so important in her writing that it was exciting to hear what kind of voice *she* imagined for each character, how this whisper would sound or that shout.
What other book might you compare The First Bad Man to, and why?
This is difficult as July has such a unique style, but perhaps Camus' 'The Stranger' or Calvino's 'If on a winter's night'? Narratively and structurally 'The First Bad Man' is completely different to both books, but they come the closest to the slightly disturbing, hallucinatory, disconnected, dream-like feeling that July conveys so well.
Which character – as performed by Miranda July – was your favourite?
Probably Cheryl herself - July performs her with enormous empathy and kindness.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There we moments when I almost wanted to stop listening - some of the sexual imagery is very graphic and the violence can be unnerving...but - without revealing what happens - the end of the book made me punch the air with delight. I want to listen to the whole thing all over again.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 11-08-15
Kooky
Weird in many ways but absorbing. Many unexpected twists and turns. I found it a slow start and early on nearly gave up but in the end thoroughly enjoyed it. I marvel at the author's imagination.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jennifer
- 10-07-15
Beautifully strange, strangely beautiful
I loved this book!
Full of odd, funny imagery.
Interesting characters just this side of acceptably bizarre.
So dirty at times I had to switch to headphones even inside the house!
The narration was fantastic.
Book hangover for days & desire to read everything July has ever written...
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 14-09-21
So funny - brilliantly read
Bizarre, brilliant, deeply funny while also being kind of heart-breaking. Author reads and she is perfect. Very dry, unusual comic manner.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Discerning Lady
- 23-04-15
Funny and disturbing
A unique literary voice, a story like no other. Funny, disturbing, intriguing and touching. A very human story. July rocks.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BM
- 16-10-20
Loved it
The strangest book I have ever ‘read’ but it was compelling. A bit graphic in places which made for an uncomfortable listen but it became clear that this was an important part of the development of the story.
Well read by the author. I’m not sure if anyone else could have given it the justice it deserved.
*Spoiler alert*
It had the ending I was hoping for. Made me teary, just as the imagined scene had earlier in the book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ren
- 23-03-15
Los Angeles Surreal
I really wasn't sure what to expect. It was a crazy story but I think I stuck with it because I know crazy people like this in LA who are into reiki and past life regression. I'm from LA so I can "stereotype" with ease. I know all these people. It was like Murakami does Venice Beach
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Blind Boy
- 21-08-17
My All-Time #1 Favourite
I read it once. I read it once more afterwards. I am still unable to remove it from my i-pod.
I made it listen to my friend. She hated it. What does it give to anyone, she asked, this novel about disturbed, crazy, broken and agressive people? It does give certainly. It's our magnificent world in a nutshell, I would say. A wity game of mirrors, of I think that you think that I think that you thinks, a very wise pacing, outstandingly skilled writing. Miranda is clever and sees through you. And she is the best narrator of her own things. Give it a try if you can, and remember: if it doesn't catch you after ten minutes, this is not for you. Because the quality of the prose is the same all over the text.
Bon courage!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kathryn
- 15-07-15
A phenomenal book
This is an incredible read/listen. To hear Miranda July performing the book herself is great, with all her iconic expressions and inflections.
The story itself edges just up to bizarre but still manages to feel grounded. The way the plot weaves and pulls together is masterful and I had a tear in my eye by the end. Maybe even did a little air punch for Cheryl!
I can't recommend it enough. It's up there, definitely one of my top ten.
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1 person found this helpful