Wow. This. Book.

This is an awkward one to recommend to my close friends and colleagues. Not that I’m particularly prudish or haven’t read “Fifty Shades of Grey” (I have), but because not only is the content of “You” extremely explicit at times, the narrative perspective is also so uniquely dark, that there’s this moment of full-on anxiety when someone I’ve recommended it to starts listening (what will they think of me!?!?). But, while this book REALLY ISN’T for all audiences (and certainly not children), I’ve yet to have a friend not agree with me that there’s something totally brilliant happening here.

So, all disclaimers aside, here’s the deal. I have been an Audible Editor for seven years. I listen in full to – on average – five books a month. I sample and browse countless audiobooks all day long for work. This is the BEST narration I have ever heard, bar none. Caroline Kepnes has created a narrative voice that is intriguing, full of snark, complex, uniquely dark, and incredibly intelligent (all great literary things!), but still pretty hard to get on board with. How do you root for a stalker? How do you start to care for someone who, despite his protestations in chapter two, is a complete and total f**k-up? Well, Santino Fontana’s narration gets you there. He brings this character to life – and I don’t mean that in the way all good narration brings a character to life. I mean that Fontana resurrects an impossibly irredeemable soul and makes you love him. This book is frightening, gritty, edge-of-your-seat stuff that is so much fun to listen to, and it stays with you long after you finish listening to it. It’s the perfect summer listen – don’t miss it. And don’t judge me – or yourself - for loving it!

513 of 537 people found this review helpful

👁 Him 👀🧠

This startlingly original book is by no means for everyone, but you'll have the best chance of appreciating it if you go into the experience knowing that the author's goal is to draw you into the mind of a literate bookselling serial killer (who does not EVER think of or refer to himself that way) so completely that you will sympathize with and root for him to a great extent. "You" does for a sociopath loner what Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola did for the Mafia in "The Godfather"; the author draws you in so completely to his hopes, dreams, fears, sights, smells, sensations (and yes, even and especially his erotic sensations--this is NOT for readers squeamish about graphic sexual language and depictions of sexually explicit scenes) that to a large extent you almost BECOME him, tasting what he tastes, craving what he craves, sweating when he sweats, rejoicing when he is victorious, and agonizing over his defeats. The sum total of this experience is confusing; you'll wonder many times how you ended up thinking of the KILLER as the HERO! And also, like Audible editor/reviewer Emily, whenever you recommend it to someone, you'll be initially filled with anxiety ("What will they think of me?!?!").

A special shout-out to narrator Santino Fontana, who delivers the BEST narration I've heard in over 150 or so audiobooks. This is not just a narration, it's a non-stop, tour de force performance so good it's as if he rehearsed it in its entirety for years. Production values are also flawless; there's not a single detectable stop, start, edit, or extraneous sound in the entirety of this recording. It sounds as if Fontana IS "him," and is just narrating his experiences in one long take.

Special note to normally trustworthy and sensible reviewer Charles, who said he doubted that Stephen King (who's frequently mentioned in this book that is surprisingly very much about books) would even like the book: King, in his quote on the dust jacket of the print version, calls this novel "Hypnotic and Scary...totally original." I couldn't agree more. Enjoy...if you dare.

74 of 79 people found this review helpful

I want Santino Fontana to narrate my life.

What did you love best about You?

This is the best audiobook I've ever listened to. It's hard for me to say that because there are some fantastic books out there. This one is now my favorite. I will listen to it again, and again.

What other book might you compare You to and why?

There is no other book like this one. Not that I have read, and I think the only thing close to it would be Misery by Stephen King.

Have you listened to any of Santino Fontana’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I would listen to him narrate a phone book. Seriously, all he has to do is change up the billion accents he can mimic and I'd be entertained for days.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Can't say no to Joe"

Any additional comments?

If you had trouble reading the second person point of view in print, this is the answer. You'll love it. Get this one. Seriously.

149 of 168 people found this review helpful

Brilliantly Creepy

Reading "You" was like reading someone's twisted, sociopathic diary entries...which, ironically, is exactly what the anti-hero Joe does throughout the story. I couldn't stop listening as each chapter got darker, and yet still wanting to hear this "relationship" unfold. I often found myself sympathetic to Joe and hating the "victims" as the story progressed...not sure what that says about me! The narration from Santino Fontana (BTW, what a killer name) was stellar, and I'm definitely planning to pick up Kepnes' Hidden Bodies in 2016.

48 of 55 people found this review helpful

Loved it

The "stalker" theme seems to be all around us lately and is, quite frankly, not my favorite. Would probably not have even considered this had it not been for a post on Facebook by a friend whose tastes on books I usually share (the fact that this is how I came upon this book is actually ironic). So glad I followed her advice! And so glad I listened to "You" rather than read it on paper. Mr. Fontana is PERFECT as the first person narrator--the stalker who becomes increasingly obsessed with his prey. And Ms. Kepnes keeps your interest throughout, with the lies and deceptions becoming more and more involved, preposterous...and believable. It will make you want to reset all your social media privacy settings. It will make you cringe. And it will make you laugh! Yes, there's a lot of humor here. (Considering the theme, it is actually a pretty light--if riveting--read). Well done! I can't wait for her next one.

102 of 120 people found this review helpful

Not even the rain has such small hands...

The narrator is amazing and he is the one of two things amazing about this book. The prose is well-written and melodic. I absolutely loved how Caroline Kepnes used such ornate and beautiful prose. One of the most beautiful lines in the book is when Joe says, "Not even the rain has such small hands..." The book was so beautifully written and I appreciated Ms. Kepnes' writing style. Yet, I did not like this book.

We follow Joe through a descent from mad into more madness. The main character, you understand from the beginning, is not quite right. He describes his view of people and interactions. He justifies his treatment of others by painting them as awful, mean-spirited and shallow. His perspective, skewed as it was, only made me sicken for the people he is involved with. I was worried about them.

Even when told from his perspective, I could not find any feeling for him. From the beginning, I was hopeful, but even then, I never rooted for Joe. I just wondered why no one else he met was creeped out by Joe. When he admitted to having stolen a cell phone, I could not understand the reasoning of the main victim/heroine. One thing I can say is that everything about this book is intense. I am still disturbed by the happenings in the story. I just found myself feeling the emptiness that I felt before after watching Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler.

I was not involved with the character--I was involved by with the people in contact with Joe. I wondered if he was supposed to be some kind of anti-hero, but he had no redeeming qualities.

Despite not liking this book, I have to let people know that Ms. Kepnes is a brilliant writer. I just did not like this book.

115 of 141 people found this review helpful

Deeply disturbing exceptionally well written

I can't find a single fault with this audiobook. In my twenties, I was a book snob. I read the classics and tried to like unredeemable characters (Wuthering Heights). Or heart wrenching melancholy (Anna Karenina). I read D.H. Lawrence, Somerset Maugham, Dostoyevsky, blah blah...you see where I'm going with this. That's why I could listen to this book and get the intelligent well-read bookstore clerk's fascination with the beautiful self-absorbed writer. I don't read deep books any more. I don't want to fall into a depression brought on by Mr. Tolstoy and his ilk. For the most part, I want a little escapism while I do the dishes or my grocery shopping. How this book was slipped into the romance section, I have no idea. I will never listen to this book again. I won't buy the sequel. I also won't return it This really is a well written book and I won't sully it because it's not what I was expecting. If you like reading a dark "romance" you'll love this book. It reminds me of The Collector by John Fowles. Another book that was very well written, but I could never read again.

16 of 19 people found this review helpful

Obsessed with this book.... and the narrator!

Would you listen to You again? Why?

This book was addicting... I became obsessed with the story and the narrator. You have to read this book if you like dark, obsessive, compulsive, all encompassing love/tragedy real life, first love stories.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joe, the main character is in my mind night and day... I had to keep listening.. could not get this book out of my mind. I became obsessed with his obsession. Also, the narrator’s voice captured the book so perfectly... I felt like I was in his head... very well done!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Love it - I have never been more obsessed with a character and wanted to read more.

Any additional comments?

This novel is dark but in all the good ways.

60 of 76 people found this review helpful

This book is incredible

Would you consider the audio edition of You to be better than the print version?

I think Santino Fontana is such a great narrator and have listened to this multiple times, even if you have read it you should listen to it because he brings Joe to life.

Any additional comments?

This book is amazing, maybe not for everyone but if you like books that are suspenseful, with a lot of character, sexual, creepy, with great references to movies, books, and music, you will love this book. I recommend for everyone to give it a try.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

This is not a love story

What made the experience of listening to You the most enjoyable?

I loved the narrator and the character Joe. You want to hate him....But you can't.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything. I think the author did a fantastic job portraying Joe and his obsessions.

Which scene was your favorite?

His interactions with Dr. Nicky

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love is a sick and twisted game

46 of 61 people found this review helpful