Minister of Loneliness

by Matt Boren, Billy Crudup (Narrator), Minnie Driver (Narrator)

A bittersweet love story told in four phone conversations, starring Minnie Driver and Billy Crudup.

Julia Fletcher takes her job seriously. Even as she’s planning to leave her post as the U.K.’s Minister of Loneliness, a government role designed to address the emotional epidemic plaguing modern citizens, Julia is invested in her successor, choosing to conduct the interviews herself. When an internet rabbit hole leads her to Henry Hall, a writer and iconoclastic, beloved professor at New York University, Julia’s interest is piqued. Henry is an unlikely an academic located an ocean away from the Minister’s office in London, but Julia sees something in his writings that makes him a standout candidate in her eyes.

During a series of unorthodox, thought-provoking phone interviews, Julia asks Henry tough, philosophical questions aimed to get at deep truths. And Henry doesn’t hold back, displaying a vulnerability neither of them were expecting, even getting Julia to open up as well. Within their deep and winding conversations, the two of them quickly develop a comedic language all their own, the kind of which is usually reserved for life-long friends or soulmates. Well into middle age and at inflection points in their careers, both Henry and Julia are contemplating life, legacy, what it’s all for. Whom it’s all for. Soon, Henry has answered all of Julia’s questions and is left with one, burning question for Why is she leaving this job she’s clearly so passionate about? It’s the one question Julia isn’t ready to answer.

Lines are blurred—personal, professional. Circumstances and emotions get complicated. And somehow, two people acutely acquainted with loneliness form an unshakable connection.

Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Humor, Clean Romance, Short Stories

Audible Audio

Published September 18, 2025

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this because of the narrators, Minnie Driver and Billy Crudup, and their performance was excellent. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of a story here. Ask yourself if you like the idea of listening in on a phone conversation for an hour and 42 minutes. If the answer is yes, you'll probably like this.

[Raluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept but it was too short to develop much depth if characters. It felt a little bit like Love is Blind, because even though it was supposed to be an interview, it was clearly, all along the way, dating. I mean I felt like the guy was aware of it and so was she, even though she tried to deny it to herself. I too went into it blindly and was hoping for more. In this world that we live in a minister of loneliness is perhaps exactly what we need.

[Erika Reynolds · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t expect a great plot from Audible Originals, but this one really had nothing going on. I didn’t mind the premise. I’ve listened to Audible books before that were told through phone calls, but this was far too short for the romance to be developed. It could have benefited from an epilogue. The production is well done though, as always.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Profoundly bizarre in the worst way. Narration was divine, but there was little plot and then nose dived into a weird place. Hard to believe.

[Toni · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 55%...another audible original that wasted great actors' voices for insipid stories.

I'm glad Minner Drive and Bill Crudup got paid tho...and those fake ass reviews...So many "first & only" reviews on Audible by the "reader" ever...

[Jory · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels weird rating something so short 5 stars but it’s definitely one I want to remember as having loved.

I saw a lot of negative reviews about this from people who wanted plot - and maybe expected a romcom due to the romcommy cover art - but that’s not what this is. It’s more literary, more of a character exploration.

If you’re going into it looking for plot, you will be disappointed. But what you will get is story, hope and warmth. It’s more like essays on happiness and living told through a conversation. I really enjoyed it and wish I had it in physical form to refer back to once in a while. If Matt Boren writes more, if he writes a book of essays in particular, I will be first in line.

[Yami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I downloaded it from Audible for a quick light listen while I was cleaning the living room and it did not disappoint. It was sweet and I loved the narrator duet it just makes it so much better for me.

[Nikki Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

[Katia Lacoursière]

DNF

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet lil love story but it doesn’t evolve very much due to the short length of the book/story. Excellent performance by the actors though.

[Yuthika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting concept. I was intrigued by the interview format but what I heard was abysmal. Nothing could save it. I thoroughly disliked the performances.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

In short: Minister of Loneliness doesn’t try to conquer loneliness. It shows you what loneliness sounds like — phone calls in the dark, hesitations, confessions. And then it shows you connection: messy, imperfect, maybe not forever, but enough to make a difference. It’s quiet. It’s weird. It’s real. And if you’re in the mood for something that feels like a hug from a stranger across the world, give it a listen.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its the acting that really makes this story work. Crudup and Driver are both wonderful performers, and its their skill that keeps the dialog from sounding too forced.
An interview turns into a connection in this story. Its the kind of story that can be a lovely character study, but the two people never really seem dimensional, or that their connection is as profound as we feel it is.

[Reason Restored · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF: listened to half. Well read by Minnie Driver and Billy Crudup but not for me. I suspect this would appeal to actors alone, and young ones at that (younger than the readers here im sure). The whole thing just made me cringe and wonder whose reality this is (not mine, i am 60 and i grew up and got over myself)!

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggling with this one - might DNF, which is saying something for a story that’s not even two hours long.
The acting’s solid, no complaints there. But the writing? Absolutely dire. Who actually talks like this? Histrionic, narcissistic, navel-gazing bellends - that’s who.
And as for the premise: Ministers don’t just swan off and appoint their own replacements. Cabinet Ministers are selected by the Prime Minister from sitting, democratically elected MPs. It’s not Hogwarts. Completely ridiculous.

[Ally Marov · Rating 2 out of 5]

✨2.5 stars✨

This book is available to listen on the Audible Plus catalogue.

Only picked this up because I liked Minnie Driver. Story was fine but I didn’t really connect with the characters. Ending was also a bit lacklustre for my liking.

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minister of Loneliness is an interesting and often thought provoking read, with moments of genuine insight into isolation, connection, and the quiet ways loneliness shapes modern life. Matt Boren clearly has a strong handle on atmosphere, and some sections capture that hollow, detached feeling with real precision.

That said, the book did not fully come together for me. While the ideas at its core are compelling, the execution can feel uneven, and at times the narrative drifts rather than deepens. I found myself wanting more emotional grounding and clarity, particularly around the characters and the stakes, as the writing occasionally leans more towards concept than connection.

There are flashes of originality and passages that linger, but they are interspersed with sections that feel underdeveloped or repetitive. I appreciated what the book was trying to explore, especially its reflections on disconnection and meaning, but I never quite felt fully drawn in.

Overall, Minister of Loneliness is a decent read with thoughtful intentions and moments of strength, but it fell short of its full potential for me. Worth picking up if the theme speaks to you, but it may not resonate with everyone in the same way.

[Juan Rivera · Rating 2 out of 5]

This audiobook promised a lot and delivered very little.

The premise is great: a “Minister of Loneliness” in the UK, and the central question, Are you alone? Do you feel lonely? For those of us without a partner or buried in work all the time, that hits close to home. There is even a real minister of loneliness in the UK, so there was plenty of room for a powerful, meaningful story.

Instead, the plot gets lost in a series of phone calls between the minister and a potential successor. The dialogues go in circles, the narrative never really moves forward, and the book does little more than state the obvious: many people are lonely, and we should address it.

The problem is that it never goes deeper and never offers any real insight or direction. A strong idea, unfortunately wasted.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this short audio book with its witty repartee between the two main characters. The Minister of Loneliness is such a novel (no pun intended) proposition: a government ambassador who addresses loneliness in the general populace. When Julia, the current Minister, feels she can no longer do the job, she interviews Henry Hall to replace her. The voices of Minnie Driver as Julia and Billie Crudup as Henry were instantly familiar. The story is told over phone conversations as Julia is in the U.K. and Billie in New York. It was fast paced, punchy, funny, and I rather like it that the ending was not disclosed.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and hopeful short story - listening to Billy Crudup and Minnie Driver discuss happiness, loneliness, and the importance of connection was a much needed pleasure today. Low reviews come from those who expected this to be something other than what it was - if you read or listen to it from the perspective of eavesdropping on a few phone conversations as two compassionate and loving people get to know each other, and enjoy the moments that gives you, then it will be a 5-star rating. If you're looking for a fully-developed novel, or a plot-driven story, you will be disappointed. Don't rate it on what it isn't meant to be - it is not fair to this lovely little story.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this would be about two people seriously engaging with loneliness in our society. But instead it is about two people falling in love over a phone interview that also discusses loneliness, but only in the most twee, silly way possible. I didn't believe the connection that supposedly happened between these two over a few phone calls, and I found both of them irritating and long-winded storytellers. The stories themselves were boring and lame, while clearly the author thought they were inspiring and profound. In this novella made up of only dialogue, the dialogue is try-hard and unrealistic.

I only kept reading because the audiobook was so good - high quality production with phenomenal actors. There is something special about seasoned visual media actors doing audiobook - they often bring an additional layer to the voice acting.

[Henna Bagha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost wish this were longer but I understand the premise of why it was via phone calls only and how it was a slight romance but again, I wanted more character depth and just more overall.

Billy Crudup as a narrator? Yes. 1000 times yes, please. I love Audible Originals but even more so when the actors are great narrators.

[Katie Morad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Minister of Loneliness is a sweet story that unfolds through a cute pen pal–style telephone love affair. At its heart, it’s about connection and the simple but powerful need to have someone on your side to really listen. Tender, charming, and thoughtful, it’s a reminder of how much it means to be heard.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 to 2.75. This was almost a DNF for me. You have to be in the right mood to enjoy and appreciate this. Don't get this for the characters or the story. Listen for the performances (Minnie Driver and Billy Crudup were phenomenal), and some philosophical rumination on questions like "what is happiness?"

[Slynn Bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book left me speechless. It is put together in such a unique way. It is emotional and philosophical and uplifting while also being depressing. It would be easy for someone to listen to this book and dislike it but for the right type of reader it is very deep and real about our experiences and life and how we look at them. I am glad I took 1.5 hrs to listen.

[Lauren Lehane · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was literally in love with this short story. I loved the phone call structure, I loved the idea of a “Minister of Loneliness”, and I loved two compassionate and inquisitive people talking. But then it became this love story and more personal and I was not about that. I just love two people discussing life and I wish the whole thing was just that.

[Lauren · Rating 1 out of 5]

For such a short story, it was extremely boring. I found the main male character a bit sexist and the female character a bit “pick me”
The surprise was weird and didn’t feel authentic. It was a strange short story.

[Amanda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was very well-written and interesting. I love Minnie Driver's voice and Billy Crudup's voice was great for this too. The premise and concept of a Minister of Loneliness who is interviewing a successor for the position was interesting too. Quick listen I recommend!

[Wanda Singela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, the first few dates ARE interviews. Making this book, okay - Jk, there was some stalking here. But, then again, that's also okay if I like you too.

Having moved past my biggest issues with this audiobook. I can now say it was cool, I miss being able to have such conversations with someone.

[Terrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hit!!

"Sometimes, you need to walk the creaking floorboards to remember where the heart is."

So much in this "Demetia that can assist in forgetting all you've chosen to neglect"
for how short it is, dont think it's light.

Oh, but it's so good!
Its worth it 👌 😌 ✨️