Vernon Subutex One cover art

Vernon Subutex One

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Vernon Subutex One

By: Virginie Despentes, Frank Wynne - translator
Narrated by: Chris Harper
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About this listen

**SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL 2018**

WHO IS VERNON SUBUTEX?

An urban legend.

A fall from grace.

The mirror who reflects us all.

Vernon Subutex was once the proprietor of Revolver, an infamous music shop in Bastille. His legend spread throughout Paris. But by the 2000s his shop is struggling. With his savings gone, his unemployment benefit cut, and the friend who had been covering his rent suddenly dead, Vernon Subutex finds himself down and out on the Paris streets.

He has one final card up his sleeve. Even as he holds out his hand to beg for the first time, a throwaway comment he once made on Facebook is taking the internet by storm. Vernon does not realise this, but the word is out: Vernon Subutex has in his possession the last filmed recordings of Alex Bleach, the famous musician and Vernon's benefactor, who has only just died of a drug overdose. A crowd of people from record producers to online trolls and porn stars are now on Vernon's trail.

Translated from the French by Frank Wynne

©2015 Editions Grasset et Fasquelle (P)2019 Quercus Editions Limited City Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Urban City France

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Critic reviews

Bold and sophisticated, this thrilling, magnificently audacious picaresque is about France and is also about all of us; how loudly we shout, how badly we hurt. It is the story of now. (Eileen Battersby)
An enthralling read. The story of one man, one city, it speaks of our entire world. A compelling, vital read, beautifully and vibrantly translated. (Nell Leyshon)
Disturbing and compelling . . . I loved and hated Vernon but I couldn't leave him alone . . . Relentlessly brilliant. Reading it was like being on a runaway train - you know it will probably end in disaster but you might as well enjoy the thrill of the ride - it's unputdownable. (Victoria Hislop)
All stars
Most relevant  
Written in both female and male perspectives. This is the true genius of this book. I have never read a book like this. The author has made this a really cool book to want to read. I think the reality of the characters is what blows you away. Stick with it as you are introduced to characters never like before and done so in the backdrop of modern day France and its language. Transport yourself.

The author is a woman (really!)

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Brilliant. When can we expect to have the 2nd and third translation on audio ?
Hope soon

When do we have the 2nd and third novel?

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Loved it. Very fast paced but every character was believable. I was disappointed when I had to turn it off, which given the content, was every time my 16 year old walked in the room. So good I'm tempted to brush off my French and try reading it in its original language.

Oo those Continentals!

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it's very good. each character is so vivid

where's the audio book for the sequel?

the different perspectives are so rich

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