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  • Heartbreak

  • A Personal and Scientific Journey
  • Written by: Florence Williams
  • Narrated by: Florence Williams
  • Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)

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Heartbreak

Written by: Florence Williams
Narrated by: Florence Williams
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Publisher's Summary

In this intimate and voyeuristic audiobook, Florence Williams uses her personal voice diary and journals and conversations with experts, family, and friends to explore the fascinating, cutting-edge science of heartbreak while seeking creative ways to mend her own.

For fans of Wild and Lab Girl, Heartbreak "thrives as an audiobook" (New York Times Book Review), merging science and self-discovery in an immersive experience that changes the way we think about loneliness, health, and what it means to fall in and out of love. When her twenty-five-year marriage unexpectedly falls apart, journalist Florence Williams expects the loss to hurt. What she doesn’t expect is that she’ll end up in the hospital, examining close-up the way our cells listen to loneliness. She travels to the frontiers of the science of “social pain” to learn why heartbreak hurts so much and why so much of the conventional wisdom about it is wrong. Searching for insight as well as personal strategies to game her way back to health, Williams tests her blood for genetic markers of grief, undergoes electrical shocks in a laboratory while looking at pictures of her ex, and ventures to the wilderness in search of awe as an antidote to loneliness.

In the audiobook, Florence invites the listener to hear the entire experience - narrated by her, accompanied by in-the-moment diary recordings, and exclusive (astonishing) bonus material that can only be heard here.

©2022 Florence Williams (P)2022 Pushkin Industries
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What the critics say

"[A] show-stopping, offbeat story about the science of heartbreak.... Unflagging research - [Williams] even flies to London to interview Britain’s first 'minister of loneliness' - and the author’s vulnerability make for an impressive and moving survey. This is a courageous, whirlwind tale of healing and self-discovery." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

What listeners say about Heartbreak

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Extremely helpful

An honest and open account of the personal aftermath of divorce. I really needed to hear this story and it’s helped me a lot.

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Courageous and compelling

At times painful to listen to as one who empathizes with this tale, I am so grateful for the author’s courage and persistence in creating this beautiful audiobook. I highly recommend this to everyone, including those on a similar path of heartbreak and moving forward with a patched up heart.

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Highly recommended to anyone going through a difficult relationship breakdown

This book came on my radar at a perfect time through a podcast. It helped me make sense of my emotions, behaviours, actions and day-to-day physical changes as I navigated through the process of divorce. It was like a friend was sharing her very relatable experience with me when I felt very alone and couldn’t relate to people in my social circle anymore. I definitely appreciated all the science and research behind romantic relationships, breakdowns and the emotional turmoil that was created. I will be re-listening to the book a couple of times to get all the information I can. Its helping me make sense of things and move forward in life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a relationship breakdown.

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fantastic book

wasn't sure what to expect but I'm very happy with all the details the written goes through on her journey through heartbreak. love that it's scientific

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loved it

Beautifully written, I'm glad I picked it up. I'm definitely going to read her other book(s). I am not going through a break-up, but I think anyone would benefit from the insights into the human condition presented in this book.

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