Marley & Me

Written by:
John Grogan
Narrated by:
John Grogan

Abridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
274
Narrator
7
Release Date
October 2005
Duration
6 hours 6 minutes
Summary
Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

Marley grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, and stole women's undergarments. Obedience school did no good -- Marley was expelled.

But just as Marley joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley remained a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.

Marley & Me is John Grogan's funny, unforgettable tribute to this wonderful, wildly neurotic Lab and the meaning he brought to their lives.
Reviews
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Sleeping Ugly

If you enjoy treacle well-seasoned with lots of dog poop, this is the book for you. I listened to it while I was driving, and found myself wanting to climb right out the window of my car, a la Marley.

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Anonymous

Good story, but I wish I'd read it rather than listened to it. I believe it was read by the author and his voice was very annoying...to the point where it became distracting.

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Anonymous

Great story, but needs a different narrator. I think I would have liked the written version better.

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Anonymous

The story was cute and a little corny but the reader/author's voice was absolutely unbearable. I couldn't even make it to the end of the audio CD.

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Anonymous

Husband thought book was fun and cute. The only negative was the voice, he almost put it down after one disc. He was on a road trip so he continued, but he wouldn't want the same reader again, I believe it was the author.

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Michelle Renigar

This is one of the best and certainly most heartwarming stories I've read - in the same catagory as Tuesday's with Morrie, Water for Elephants, and For One More Day.... You will laugh out loud and stain your pillow with tears.... I enjoyed the book so much I purchased the audiobook... Big Mistake.... The author DOES NOT do his book justice by narating it himself, he should have left that to the professionals... In fact, the sound of his voice is so irritating it grates on your nerves !!! Rating-Book: 5 STARS !!! Rating-Audio: 0 Stars

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Ashley Goynes

Great story with great narration. I lost count of how many times I laughed and cried. I'd you're a dog lover, you will fall head over heels for this book!

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Melissa Averitt

I am 9 and the book had a great life Long story. I loved the story!!!????

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Lori

Kind of slow, but the ending really got me! I have a Labrador who isn't as wild as Marley, but he does have Marley's personality for the most part. Made me extra sensitive to the fact that Brady's days with me are numbered.

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John

I got this book on the recommendation of my wife who is a dog fanatic. Right from the beginning, I enjoyed the book. Being a dog owner, I could identify with the things Marley did and could understand the author's feelings. When I came to the end, I drove down the highway with tears running down my face. It is a heart warming book with an ending that could be understood by any pet lover.

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Paula Gutierrez

Amazing animal story, and I can't see how a movie will do it justice.

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Heidi

I love this book! I laughed throughout and cried at the end. I have never rated a book in the 4 years I have used simply audiobooks but I felt this one really deserved it. I would recommend this book to anyone especially if you are a dog owner. The only thing was that the author read the book and his voice was a little annoying but less than halfway through the first CD I didn't notice his voice anymore because I was too busy laughing out loud and enjoying his story. It is a wonderful story that every dog lover should read/hear. Kudos to the author!

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Anonymous

If you have a dog, you will love, love this book. If you don't have a dog, you will really enjoy this book. The narrator is good, but the story is great.

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Mary Richards

This was a fantastic read. The narrator was in fact the author, and although I think he's a better author than orator, I didn't mind his performance. I would recommend this book to any and all dog lovers. And if you enjoyed "Marley & Me," you should also check out "Good Dog, Stay" by Anna Quindlen. It's quite a lot shorter, but still a sweet story about a big sweet dog and his many quirks.

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Anonymous

This is a great story, a real tear-jerker at times. I did not like the reader, which I think is the author. I read the book just before receiving the audio book and enjoyed the book so much more.

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Anonymous

I thought this book was very good. I am a dog lover and I loved the fact that my dogs aren't the only ones with some strange fears and imperfections. Each dog has their own personalilities and this is why each one is unique. The reading was a little dry but it is the story and the author's love of his dog that kept my attention.

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Anonymous

After all the hype and the book being on the best-selling list for months, I thought I should find out what it is all about. Like a couple of other reviews, I expected more heart warming adventures. What I didn't like most was the author's reading. No expression in his voice for the most part. That makes for a dull read. I didn't finish listening because it didn't interest me.

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Bethany Griffin-Loftis

I loved it.I think I enjoyed it because I've had dogs like Marley.

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Anonymous

Love, love, love, loved it! I laughed out loud and cried hard. Every human should hear this book! Your heart will be warmed! I listen in the car on the way to work and I don't want to get out when I get there. Please take the time to read this, you will be glad you did!

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Anonymous

This book was awful. Since I am an animal lover, with many dogs of my own, many people recommended it to me. I had high expectations and was terribly disappointed. After all the hype, it was a huge let down. This book is supposed to be one of those cute we-have-wacky-adventures-and-he-is-a-pain-but-I-love-my-dog-anyway books. It was not. The way the author treats his dog borders on abuse, and I am supposed to think it is cute and endearing. Forcing your dog in to a crate that is too small for him is not funny. Locking your dog in a cement bunker is not endearing. A dog who is so terrified that he rips his paws till they bleed is not cute. If you actually like dogs, then don't read this book.

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Anonymous

After reading this book, I gave my dog a big hug and now spend quality time with her in her senior years. All about a true companion and how much a dog can mean to you and appreciate life.

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Eric Da Dura

For a book that I got such great reviews I was expecting much more. Instead I get the story of a dog who grew up in a house of owners who have to be some of the dumbest dog owners I have read about. The story is simple, predictiable and reads more like a newspaper article than a story. Fitting that the author works for one. Perhap sit would have been better if it was read by someone else but gettign beyond the annoying voice he has no talent for telling a story with any passion.

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V

Not bad, not bad. But with all the hype from the written version, I was expecting something stirring and wonderful and it just fell short. Remember how you felt when you read Old Yeller? Yea, not like that. Although my dog, who is the BEST dog in the whole world ever was very happy I listened to this because I kept telling her so.

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Deborah Martinson

The first part started out as pretty standard, but it just got better and better. Excellent read.

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Allyn McKinney

My wife is an alzheimers victim and this is the first time she has laughed out loud in a long while, and cried tears of happiness.

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D F

I listened to the abridged version, and even that was too long. There is a very good dog story here but half the time it is lost in a not-very-interesting human story and a thick veneer of sentiment. This book would be better in print to make skimming easier.

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Eliba

As an animal lover, I adored this book. I loved the authors candor, his humor and compassion for Marley.

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Joyce

This is the world's worst book. If you know anything about training dogs, they did everything wrong. No wonder Marley was so hard to handle. I couldn't get through more than 1-1/2 discs before I sent it packing back to the store.

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Diana

For dog lovers this is a great book. All too many truths about the perils, trials and joys of being a dog parent.

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josigirl

Excellent read! Found myself laughing out loud. Highly reccommend even if you aren't a "dog" person!

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Linda Spradlin

A great book! For anyone who loves dogs (especially labs), it hits home. Funny, happy, sad - my husband and I loved it.

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Anonymous

When I first put this on my list months ago, my 12 year old dog was healthy. When the book on tape arrived, my dear sweet dog had been dead 3 weeks. I laughed out loud while driving at the many funny parts and was searching for a tissue for many others. What a gift. I didn't care that his voice was not professional, it was the author's voice and I was hooked on his story. People think he did wrong in the training (or not) of Marley, but he at least tried to take him to obedience school; and as a fellow obedience school flunky, I felt for him. I do wish this set was unabridged!

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Sherri, OH

Very Cute! I't might not be the best, but it's certanly not the worst. I love dogs and could relate very well. I thought there were some very funny parts.

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BLW

It was hard to believe how little the Grogans knew about working and training a dog to become a good member of the family. Marley was destructive because he was not exercised and challenged enough--he could have done some serious damage to himself and so I found it hard to laugh at him eating the garage. It seems Grogan was trying to be funny, but I couldn't figure out why the humans never figured anything out. Labs are some of the easiest dogs in the world to train. I think I was frustrated with this book because Marley had the potential to be an all-star dog. Instead, Marley put up with the Grogan's unwillingness to learn to speak "dog."

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Patty

I loved this wonderfully "feel good" story - made me REALLY stop to think about all the joy our own dog brings to our lives! The author, however, should stick to writing... not narrating. His voice is pretty irritating and almost made me stop wanting to listen - but I'm glad I kept going til the end. Be warned - I sobbed towards the end at one point(and was grateful I was parked in my driveway at the time ~ as opposed to racing down the highway!!).

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Sandra Oliver

I am not particularly a dog person, but this is easily one of the best books I have ever read. In a few spots I couldn't quit laughing. Read by the author, the account of life with his dog is very entertaining.

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Anonymous

This is a very heartfelt story. I have a dog that I love so I could share in the author's affections for and the tribulations of Marley. I enjoyed the sweetness and laughed & cried. I look forward to the next book by John Grogan.

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dlct

All my dog friends were all reading this book so I got the CDs. Big mistake. The author has a nasal, annoying voice, can't pronounce the big words that he uses and to top it all off, these people are idiots. Some people just should not own dogs and John and Jenny are two of them. They do everything wrong. And I mean EVERYTHING! If you want to listen to what NOT to do with a new puppy, go for it. I didn't even make it through the first disk as the sheer folly of Marley's owners combined with Mr. Grogan's highly annoying voice made it impossible.

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Anonymous

There is no deep plot here, just a story about a family and their goofy dog. It is probably enjoyable for most anyone who has ever had a dog, or known a dog well. It reminded me of a friend's dog who are the dashboard out of the family station wagon. The stories flowed well together, with a nice mix of family-life and dog story.

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Anonymous

The writing is not the best and I agree with the reviewer that had a hard time with the author's voice (that's why they have profession VO talent) but if you can get past these issues and through the first few chapters, you'll get hooked.

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Anonymous

I was not able to completely listen to the Marley & Me cd's I received. The authors voice was too annoying. I think I would rather read this one.

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Jean Fawley

This is one of the funniest and yet in many ways most realistic story of raising a dog that I have ever read. Any dog lover will appreciate the antics of Marley and frustration of John and Jennifer. We have all been through it and I don't think I laughed when it happened to me but I did when Marley did it.

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Beverly Edgmon

This was a great book if you own a dog. I can see that one might identify with Marly's family. It is a good listen and entertaining even if you are not a dog owner.

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Anonymous

Let me start by saying that I rarely ever write reviews and I am not necessarily a dog person. But I absolutely loved this book. I laughed and cried out loud. The story was about a crazy dog, but the message was about life. I enjoyed the author reading the story which is obviously so personal. I was disappointed that it was only available in abridged, so I went out and bought the book and read it.

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Tammi Trout

I listened to this book while I was at work. It was a good book but the end is what got to me. If you consider your dog (or any pet) as your child then you will definately cry. I recommend.

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Anonymous

This is a great book for anyone who has ever loved a pet. All the trials and tribulations of having a less than perfect animal in the family. I laughed and cried. When I finished the book I went and gave both my dogs big hugs.

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Anonymous

What a great book for all dog lovers. Anyone who's owned a dog can surely relate to this heartwarming story.

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Anonymous

I really enjoyed listening to the antics and adventures of Marley - and believe that any dog lover would. I read the book a few months back and still was amused and touched by this story. I don't love the fact that John Grogan narrated his own book. His voice is nasally and the book listen would have been better if a professional narrator had done it.

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Barbara Howell

What a GREAT book/story. I loved hearing about Marley and his escapades. Very entertaining and heartwarming. As a pet owner of two geriatric cats and a present dog owner (beagle), I could relate firsthand to the unconditional love they felt and what they were going through as he aged. I laughed. I cried. I LOVED this book.

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Julie Bollman

Great story. Very heartwarming. I laughed. I cried. I loved it!

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Evelyn McAdams

This is a must read for all animal lovers.It was touching and warm.I felt as though Marley were my dog.I had to stop listening twice in my car, because I had tears in my eyes,it was so touching.

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Anonymous

If you have ever had a pet that you loved with all your heart, especially a lab. You will love the way John shares his crazy antics with Marley! I loved it!

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Nanette

This has to be the best book I have listen to this year. I laughed so hard at parts and cried just as much in others. Any one with a dog will truly appreciate this. AWESOME!!!

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Anonymous

This is the most beautiful and emotionally captivating story I've ever listened to OR read. One of my all time favorite books. I can't believe how emotionally attached I became to a story about a family and their dog. Beautiful - a must read AND a must rent!

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Anonymous

For animal lovers this book is delightful. It covers the gamut of emotions associated with a well-loved pet, and shows the many ways that having an animal changes one's life. I recommend it highly. If you listen to it in a car, beware -- once you get where you're going, you may not be able to turn it off!

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Jamie

What a touching and superb story! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me go out and buy the hardcover version! Although the narration was a little irritating at first, I forgot all about it as I got involved in the story. As a dog owner, I could relate to Marley's escapades and made me appreciate the truly unconditional love my pets give me, even when they are misbehaving. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't own a pet. A tender, poignant story of love and friendship.

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Anonymous

Great book for both dog lovers and all others! Being an owner of many labs I can directly relate to this book. I had laughs, cried, and thoroughly knew what this author was talking about.

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Anonymous

outstanding... the author's reading makes it that much more personal and heart-felt... will resonate with dog lover's

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Tonytoga

There are authors who write well and narrators who perform audio books well.....the two are rarely one. Thus it is with Marley and Me, a NYTimes best seller and certainly one the best pet books I've listened to. Author John Grogan takes us through his 14 year relationship with his beloved golden lab Marley using the dog's life and times to chronicle that of his marraige and family. Pet books are not my normal forte but this one was a gift from a friend so I put it in the CD player with low expectations. The writing was outstanding, the story captivating, but the narration left much to be desired. Look past it through.....and enjoy a very nice book.

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Kathy Hare

This is the only audio book I have ever finished! We have 10 yr old cocker spaniel named Abby and even though she's a pretty good family member, she does have her moments and some of them just like Marley. I loved the whole story and couldn't wait to listen to each chapter and I found myself anticipating what was going to happen next. John Grogan is a fantastic writer and I can't wait for his next book. Truely a joy to read and I don't cry easily from books, but this one touched my heart in soooo many ways. What more can I say - I may just go out and get the book to read on one of those rainy days!

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Anonymous

Loved the book, but not the reader, his voice irritated me after awhile!

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Cindy Hampton

I have a vibrant lab and so I can relate to this story. Those of us who have labs or high energy dogs leave for work and then make the drive home with balls in our stomach thinking of the possible doom that may lay in wait. The story takes you through the life of Marley from puppy to adult, but that’s not all. Marley was adopted by a young couple, so the story encompasses the changes of the young couple, Marley, and the entire Grogin family. A story of love, devotion, patience, humor and the journey from young to old for the entire family. Enjoyed it!!

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Angela Jones

This was the best book if you are an animal lover. You will laugh, cry, and fall in love with the world's worst dog. It made me miss my old dog so much. It will touch your heart and make you wonder how people go through life without a wonderful best friend like Marley.

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Westie

This was just an enjoyable book to read. Reminding me how important seeing my dog everyday is , even when it's 2am. It blends having a dog with many young adult rites of passage. It just left me with a sense of comradery and a greater respect for the place my dog has in my family. I apologize for calling him an expensive lawn ornament. Westie.

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