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The Present
The one thing you know for sure when you're watching a romantic comedy is that it's going to turn out okay in the end. When you're living one? Not so much. Simon Rich tells the story of the present from a time travel inventor to his girlfriend.
This story was performed by actor Daniel Radcliff on This American Life episode 638 "Rom Com" and originally appeared in Rich's collection "The Last Girlfriend on Earth."
This story was performed by actor Daniel Radcliff on This American Life episode 638 "Rom Com" and originally appeared in Rich's collection "The Last Girlfriend on Earth."
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2013
99 people want to read
About the author
Simon Rich
29 books1,075 followersSimon Rich (born 1984) is an American humorist whose first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, was published by Random House in April 2007.
Rich is an alumnus of The Dalton School and a former president of The Harvard Lampoon, and the son of The New York Times editorialist Frank Rich. He received a two book contract from Random House prior to his graduation from Harvard University in 2007.
His first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, has been described as a collection of "giddy what-if scenarios". Excerpts of the book were printed in The New Yorker's "Shouts and Murmurs" column. His second book, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. His first novel, Elliot Allagash was released in May of 2010, followed by What in God’s Name and most recently, The Last Girlfriend on Earth, a collection of short stories about love.
He is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live.
Rich is an alumnus of The Dalton School and a former president of The Harvard Lampoon, and the son of The New York Times editorialist Frank Rich. He received a two book contract from Random House prior to his graduation from Harvard University in 2007.
His first book, Ant Farm and Other Desperate Situations, has been described as a collection of "giddy what-if scenarios". Excerpts of the book were printed in The New Yorker's "Shouts and Murmurs" column. His second book, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. His first novel, Elliot Allagash was released in May of 2010, followed by What in God’s Name and most recently, The Last Girlfriend on Earth, a collection of short stories about love.
He is currently a writer for Saturday Night Live.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 18, 2022
Whew!
Listened to Daniel Radcliffe read this on This American Life podcast.
I was SOBBING.
This short story is like, a grown-up, less melodramatic play on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Really powerful.
Listened to Daniel Radcliffe read this on This American Life podcast.
I was SOBBING.
This short story is like, a grown-up, less melodramatic play on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Really powerful.
January 30, 2019
I listened to this story as performed by Daniel Radcliffe. Excellent performance and a wonderful little story in of itself. I will seek out the book this was a part of in the future.
May 24, 2022
Gonna make me cry on the bus :(((
August 3, 2022
Unexpectedly touching and perfectly read. What is fate, what is important? Eternal questions.
May 27, 2024
3,5*
Quite sad really
Quite sad really
May 8, 2025
Big isn’t better— perfectly encapsulates guy logic of gift giving and matures into a such a romantic ending, as sad as it was!!
June 5, 2024
he was emotionally clueless, yet he made such a big gesture bending this story into such emotional end. i'm gonna sob.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews