The Measure: A Novel

Written by Nikki Erlick

Narrated by Julia Whelan

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

""A story of love and hope as interweaving characters display: how all moments, big and small, can measure a life. If you want joy, love, romance, and hope—read with us."" —Jenna Bush Hager

A luminous, spirit-lifting blockbuster that asks: would you choose to find out the length of your life?

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live.

From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise?

As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they’ll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is an ambitious, invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063204249

Nikki Erlick

Nikki Erlick is a writer and editor whose work has appeared online with New York Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, Indagare Travel, The Huffington Post, and Vox. She has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a master’s degree from Columbia University. The Measure is her debut novel.

Reviews for The Measure

[Staci Benscoter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this whole story - but the audio quality was not great. Would skip for a couple minutes at a time.

[Tara Robinson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I throughly enjoyed the premise of this book. I can’t say that I’ve read anything like it. It’s a very thought provoking novel.

[GREENVILLE TOGO · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such a smartly written book that is scarily realistic. I could absolutely see this happening in the world that we live in today. The narration of my personal favorite narrator, Julia Whelan, and the exceptional writing of the author brings forth all of the emotions that any world citizen might have emotionally, physically, socially, politically and personally. Would anyone really want to know??? Read this amazing book and find out for yourself!

[Charles Mustachia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. Yeah it was a bit saccharine at times but it had me along for the ride the entire way. A Carpe Diem reminder should always be welcome. This Carpe Diem story, in particular, was inventive and unique. Cheers to the author and narrator.

[GMunro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this! I liked the premise when I read the synopsis, but the story went so much deeper than I anticipated. It really delved into all the 'big deep questions' about life, while remaining engaging and still telling the characters' stories. I stayed up all night to listen in one go. Highly recommend this book!

[Angie Rae Williamson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful all around . The narrator, the storyline, pace…everything was well done. Very happy I took a chance and listened.

[Monica Bardon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of those books that leaves you thinking about for weeks after you’ve finished it.

[kim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book. I enjoyed it beginning to end. Well done!

[Qaisar Rafique · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Great concept but way too slow and lacks a story. It feels like a social studies lesson in that alternate universe.

[Danielle Avila · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I waited and waited for this book to get slightly better than the start, but it got worse. The most boring book I have read/listened to in years. I can imagine the reader pulling her hair out having to go on reading. I listened until the very end because I wanted to be objective and leave an honest review. Do not waste your time. There is no depth to this book and the characters are flat.

[WolfeJones · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

OK. The book just wasn’t what I expected.

It is fine as a compilation of relationships and the varying human emotions…heavy discrimination theme and underlying political messages. Not really a mystery or conspiracy novel, which is what I was seeking. Why were the “strings” created and by whom?

[mbmendel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the kind of book that I won’t forget, and I’ll think about for a long time to come!

[Monica Carreno Paredes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story, a little slow at times but enjoyed the story one and the premise is very unique!

[Charles Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very good story of how the world and more specifically 8 characters', lives are forever changed by the appearance of mysterious strings foretelling the length of their life. I usually don't gravitate toward stories with so many characters because I get easily lost, but the way that this group of characters wound together to help the story progress was great and the story was ultimately very satisfying. Highly recommend his book!

[Maria Silveria Grassi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was awesome throughout, but the ending... I hate ending like this one and still it destroyed me. I love books were I have to think and argue with myself about important matters, values and topics. Therefore, I love this book. It's genius is unreasonable.

[Mary Sincavage · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was phenomenal. I cried for the entire final hour and I would read it again and again.

[heidi griebel · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Meh. Hokey. Farfetched. I’ve read worse, but would not recommend.

[elizabeth carol wicker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

thought provoking. loved the intertwining of the lives, overcoming what life throws at you.

[Samanths · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

An interesting idea that never seems to play out leaving you waiting for something that never comes.

[Lynne Ward · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the premise of the book. Makes you think and reflect on your own life. Very well narrated. The middle of the book got a bit long, but it was still great. Would recommend.

[3oylavoz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love it, I wanted to keep listening. Great book and it really helped me be more present and live life purposefully.

[Leigh Linden · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Its absolutely lovely! My favorite book of 2023! 6 stars!

[Shannon Henry · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The main characters were in the LGBTQ category. Bare in mind I didn't finish it, or got far and it seems like an interesting read, it's just not for me

[Sandy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A bit contrived and predictable. I thought a little more thought on different ways a long stringer could experience the end of life without a true death.

[jjmac · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This work reminds me of the type of novel an insightful English Lit prof would use as recommended reading. The author produces an impressive kaleidoscope of intertwining lives and life challenges, not to mention their individual and collective impacts. Very thought provoking.

[nansmellsofwee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous book. Engaging characters, interesting concept. Something truly unusual but please for the love of God never let this narrator attempt a South African accent again
It's such a short moment jn the book but it's hilariously bad and dostracting

[Betty Brunson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Glad I continued reading. I thought the beginning was so ridiculous but decided to continue to see if it would develop. It surprised me by addressing deep issues today. Masterfully done!

[Evie Aaron · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time!

[Judi Graver · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Creative, thought provoking, eerily significant, enlightening, captivating novel. Pure genius.

[HBREADER · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interring premise and a lot of intertwining themes, but lacking finesse in the delivery. Some storylines/characters are a bit stereotypical, which makes this book feel a bit samey apart from the string aspect. We don’t get answers to the strings which is slightly annoying. And I feel a lot of the main theme (short stringers are human and deserve fulfilling lives) is completely undone by the push for euthanasia by one of the main characters at the end. It’s actually pretty jarring.

There is also remarkably little of faith here, considering it concerns death so heavily. There is one Catholic character but his faith is variable and seems token. That’s a questionable omission but I guess it’s the book she wanted to write!