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  • The First Bad Man

  • By: Miranda July
  • Narrated by: Miranda July
  • Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
  • 3.9 out of 5 stars (274 ratings)

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The First Bad Man

By: Miranda July
Narrated by: Miranda July
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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.

©2015 Miranda July (P)2015 Canongate Books Ltd
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Critic reviews

"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 novel exploded my expectations and became unlike anything I've ever read...hilarious...A wry, smart companion on any day. It's warm, it has a heartbeat and a pulse. This is a book that is painfully alive." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Astounding...she will make you laugh, cringe and recognise yourself in a woman you never planned to be...Never has a novel spoken so deeply to my sexuality, my spirituality, my secret self. I know I am not alone." (Lena Dunham)
"I am in awe of Miranda July...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 Be Forgiven)

What listeners say about The First Bad Man

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What it is to be alive

It has moments of weirdness, but in the end it is touching and very human. I enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderfully weird and intimate

I loved this book, and everything else I've heard or read from Miranda July. Her characters are strange, troubled, deeply flawed, and endearing, and she reveals their inner worlds in very relatable way

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