A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood review – getting through the day

A Single Man: The Daily Struggle of Grief.

In this haunting adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's landmark novel, we are taken on a poignant journey with George Falconer, a 58-year-old British expat struggling to come to terms with the loss of his partner, Jim, after a tragic car accident. The day unfolds like a slow-motion despair, as George trudges through his morning routine, grappling with the judgmental gaze of his homophobic neighbour, Mrs Strunk.

Through Alex Jennings' masterful narration, we are privy to George's inner world, where existential dread and isolation suffocate him in a world that shuns him for who he is. The performance hums with melancholy and buried rage, drawing us into the dark recesses of George's soul as he battles to find meaning in his life.

The audiobook masterfully captures the nuances of Isherwood's prose, transporting us to the sun-drenched streets of California in 1962. As we follow George through his day, from his gym workout to a drink with friend Charley, we witness the fragile human spirit fighting to hold on against the crushing weight of grief.

The dissociative properties of loss are expertly conveyed, as George struggles to don the masks that allow him to face the world each day. This is not just a story about survival – it's a powerful exploration of the human condition, where we delve into the darkest corners of the heart and confront the ultimate question: how do we get through the day without losing ourselves?
 
[Image of a person crying in bed with a thought bubble saying "I'm not getting out of these PJs today"] 🤣😴
[ GIF of a person trying to put on a brave face but failing miserably ] 😔💁‍♂️
[A picture of a sun-drenched street with the words "1962, California" written above it] 🌞🏖️
 
😒 I mean, what's up with the narration style? It's like they're trying to slow down the whole thing on purpose. Newsflash, it's already a sad story! 🙄 And don't even get me started on how they handled George's character development. He's just so... passive. Can't he do anything but wallow in his own misery all day? 🤷‍♂️ It feels like they're missing the point of the whole "existential dread" thing and just making him a whiny protagonist instead. 😔
 
I'm literally bawling my eyes out listening to this one 😭🎧. I feel like George is speaking directly to me, you know? The way he's struggling with his own demons and trying to find meaning in a world that doesn't understand him... it's just so relatable 🤕. And the narration is seriously on point – Alex Jennings' voice is like butter for my soul 😌. I love how they capture the essence of Isherwood's prose, too. It's like I'm right there with George, walking through those sun-drenched streets and feeling his pain 🌴.
 
i'm so invested in george's story 🤕 he's like, totally relatable, you know? i've had friends go through something similar after a loss, and it's just heartbreaking to see how much pain they're in. but at the same time, alex jennings' narration is just perfect - it captures george's anxiety and vulnerability so well 🗣️ like, you can feel his desperation for human connection. anyway, i think what's most striking about this adaptation is how it explores the complexities of grief, not just as a reaction to loss, but also as a part of who we are in the first place 💔
 
omg i'm literally shook by this audiobook it's like my heart is heavy just thinking about george's struggles after loosing jim 🤕😭 i feel so bad for him, his whole world has been turned upside down and he can't seem to find a way to move on. the way alex jennings narrates makes me wanna cry, it's like he's speaking directly to my soul 😩 i love how the story captures the dissociative effects of loss, it's so relatable. and can we talk about charley tho? he's literally george's only lifeline in this world 🤝 anyhoo, i think this book is a total must-listen for anyone who's ever lost someone they love 💔
 
omg i feel like this movie would be so relatable for anyone who's ever lost someone or felt like they don't fit in. like george's struggle is real and it's not just about grieving a partner, but also about dealing with the hate and judgment from people around you 🤕. i love how the audiobook captures the nuances of isherwood's prose, it's like you're right there with george feeling all the emotions he's going through 😔. and can we talk about how relevant this story is today? we still have people who are fighting for their rights and facing discrimination because of who they love 🌈. anyway, i'm definitely adding this to my watchlist, it sounds like a really powerful and emotional ride 💀
 
Man, this sounds so depressingly relatable 🤕 I feel like George's pain is something that many people can't even begin to comprehend. The thought of living in a world where you're constantly judged for who you are is just heartbreaking 😔 And the way it describes the feeling of being suffocated by grief... yeah, that's real life right there. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but I think this adaptation does justice to Isherwood's novel 📚 Maybe it'll help some people feel less alone in their struggles? 💕
 
just watched this audiobook, feels like my whole life since my cat passed away 🐈😔. grief is like, this neverending darkness that you can't escape, even when it's the only thing you're allowed to feel about. and it's not just the loss itself, but all these societal expectations to 'get over' or move on, which are just, like, impossible 😩. i mean, george is literally just trying to survive each day without losing himself, and that's basically my whole existence right now 🤯.
 
omg i feel like this guy george so much lol he's literally going thru hell but u can't help but feel 4 him 🤗 his neighbor is literally so extra with that judgemental stare tho, like whats wrong w/ her ? anyway i think its so brave of the narrator alex jennings to bring this story 2 life & make it so emotionally charged, i almost cried during some parts 😭 anyway i think we all need 2 read this & talk about grief & mental health more 🤝
 
Omg I'm literally sobbing just listening to this 🤧💔. The way Alex Jennings narrates George's inner world is just wow... his emotions are so raw and real it's like you're right there with him feeling all those pain & sadness. I feel like we need more stories like this, you know? About people struggling with their identities, their grief, their human-ness 🤝
 
omg this guy george sounds like he's going thru the worst I feel so bad for him 🤕 it's like, can't even go to the gym or hang out with friends without being judged by people who don't understand his loss and he's gotta put on these masks to deal with it... it's crazy how much grief can affect you mentally and physically 💔.
 
I finally caught up on this review 🙃... I totally felt George's pain and isolation. The narration is so good it's like you're experiencing his thoughts firsthand. I love how the reviewer points out the societal pressure to hide one's true self. I think we can all relate to feeling like that at some point in our lives, right? It's amazing how Isherwood's writing can evoke such strong emotions even years after its publication. 👏
 
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