The Story of a Million Years

Written by David Huddle

Narrated by Julie Dretzin, Kate Forbes, L.J. Ganser and 4 more

David Huddle's short fiction appears frequently in publications including Esquire, Harper's Magazine, and The Best American Short Stories. In this compelling novel, he examines the complex mixtures of longing and contentment that make up contemporary relationships. Deeply affected by a teen-aged affair with a man nearly three times her age, Marcy Bunkleman subtly shapes the lives of everyone she meets. As she and the people closest to her tell their stories, an incredible picture emerges of secrets and lies, of knowledge and ignorance, and gradually of people longing to recapture those moments of effortless goodness in their lives. As Huddle gently strips away the layers of stories we tell ourselves and others, we find the strengths and weaknesses of people who could easily be our friends, our spouses, or ourselves. Grippingly told in a multiple-cast narration, The Story of a Million Years provides an entralling look at the drama hidden in even the most quiet lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 27, 2012
• ISBN: 9781470325206

David Huddle

A native of Ivanhoe, Virginia, David Huddle has lived in Vermont for over four decades. He is the author of twenty previous books, including fiction, essays, and poetry. His novel Nothing Can Make Me Do This (Tupelo, 2011) won the Library of Virginia Award for Fiction, and his Black Snake at the Family Reunion won the Pen New England Award for Poetry. A longtime resident of Vermont, he teaches at the Bread Loaf School of English and the Rainier Writing Workshop.

Reviews for The Story of a Million Years

[piemouth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This novel starts with a woman recalling her affair, at age 15, with an older man, the husband of her mother's friend. Then other people tell their stories, a web of intersected relationships. Everyone has secrets, but they all think they can see through their spouses and friends and know their secrets.This book gave me a lot to think about, partly because I had a similar affair when I was a teenager, partly because I'm married now and trying to understand my spouse and navigate the balance of keeping my self separate and keeping my secrets, while participating fully in a relationship.