Stories by Heart

by John Lithgow

Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor John Lithgow (The Crown, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun) brings his latest critically acclaimed Broadway performance to Audible. Stories by Heart celebrates the transcendent power of great literature and serves as a touching tribute to Lithgow’s late father, actor and director Arthur Lithgow.

In the performance, Lithgow intersperses memories from his own life between dramatic readings of two short stories (“The Haircut” by Ring Lardner and “Uncle Fred Flits By” by P. G. Wodehouse) from his own cherished childhood volume of Tellers of Tales. Following his performance, Lithgow performs a third short story from the anthology - "The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs - exclusively for Audible listeners.

“Haircut” by Ring Lardner is included by kind permission of the Estate of Ring Lardner. “Uncle Fred Flits By” by P. G. Wodehouse is included by kind permission of the Estate of P. G. Wodehouse and taken from his collection of short stories Young Men in Spats (1936).

©2018 John Lithgow (P)2018 AO Media, LLC.

Genres: Audiobook, Short Stories, Fiction, Plays

Audible Audio

Published June 26, 2018

About the author

John Lithgow is a prolific actor with two Tonys, six Emmys, two Golden Globes, and two Oscar nominations to his name. He has starred in the hit TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dexter, and The Crown, and in beloved films like The World According to Garp, Shrek, and Terms of Endearment. Lithgow has appeared on Broadway twenty-five times and in England with both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. He is also the bestselling author of nine children’s picture books, and his recordings for kids have landed him four Grammy nominations.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entertaining play has something for everyone: memoir, humor, and suspense. Actor John Lithgow talks about his family and their love of reading aloud as he performs some old favorites: “The Haircut” by Ring Lardner, “Uncle Fred Flits By” by P. G. Wodehouse, and “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs. I’m hoping for a sequel. Audiobook.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

His reading is obviously amazing, but I didn't care for the stories. Except the last bonus story only for audible listeners.

[Jimilee Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy what John Lithgow is apart of. Classical stories. With also a little look of his own personal life.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw Lithgow perform this one man show consisting of two short stories on Broadway last winter,,and the audio book is just as great. Plus, he recorded a third short story just for Audible.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a mixed bag. Lithgow does a great narration even on the stories I didn't like. It was a short collection of three stories. I liked the Monkey's Paw the best, good old gothic horror. I do love P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster to death but Uncle Fred Flits by was just too manic and I didn't finish it. The first story The Haircut was an odd story to read to children (Lithgow states in the introduction that his father read this to him...explains where he gets some of his characterizations) and I was scratching my head after listening to it.

I am going to listen to his Poets Corner, bet he will do a great job on those.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've seen Lithgow around but never really knew his name till his story came out about reading the same stories his dad read to him when he was a boy to help care for his sick dad.

“The Haircut”, “Uncle Fred Flits, and "The Monkey’s Paw” are the stories he selected for this short book and yeah, listening to these with him bringing them to life was fun. The stories are like Grimm's stories, fun but serious at the same time.

If you have at least 2 hours to kill this is a good way to do so. His sound effects are great.

[Neeraja Sankaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of John Lithgow's performances and his anthology of poems is never deleted from my device for I listen to random or chosen excerpts whenever I want to fill in a short gap, revive my memory etc. This one, a remembrance of his father with three stories from an anthology was very well done--with three very different stories beautifully narrated. The selection is idiosyncratic--the jury is still out on the Gothic but naturally anything by Wodehouse is always a hit with me.

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved hearing about John Lithgow's family and childhood life, and loved his performance in this audiobook. Definitely still thinking about the stories, days after finishing the book. He is one of my favorite performers and this book was wonderful. Now if only I could get past that one season when he was the bad guy on Dexter.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Lithgow gives a masterful performance in this collection of old stories. Mr Lithgow's personal reflections of his Dad reading to John and his siblings when youngsters and John returning the favor when his Dad was in poor health near the end of his life was incredibly powerful and moving. A very sweet and excellent performance.

[Matthew Storrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think you'd enjoy "Stories by Heart." John Lithgow, provides some of his favorite short stories and how they connected to his relationship with his father and his youth. Over the top at times, but a great listen.

[Lethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Lithgow‘s performance was great, but the selection of stories was just not to my tastes. It included three stories, Haircut, Uncle Fred Flits By and the gem of the collection, The Monkey‘s Paw.

[Alaina Sloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to John Lithgow read the three stories he includes in his one-man play is magical.

[Janet Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a good chuckle listening to John Lithgow. He is an amazing story teller!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hearing John Lithgow read these stories, talk about his life, and their family's love of stories and the act of storytelling was a real treat. I've loved him since "Meet the Hendersons!"

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy stories told by John Lithgow in this heart warming story about stories from his childhood and read to his parents. I won't way it was fun, but hearing him read was great.

[Angela Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply delightful

[Letitia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love John Lithgow as an actor and perhaps I would have enjoyed a memoir. I couldn't connect with the stories at all. It might be generational.

[Kathryn Santos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Great stories, beautifully told.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok have heard stories before but his narration brought them to life again

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are great, but I particularly loved story 2! Sit back and listen to the stories - not to listened to while doing other stuff!

[Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent poetry book for non-poetry readers. I appreciated his explanations and background before and/or after the poems.

My new favorite--Little Lamb.

[Katina stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though the first story was only okay, the telling of it was fantastic! I loved his own experiences with each story.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

On audible John Lithgow gives LIFE to these short stories. I have not read many short stories, and thus was unfamiliar with the ones he picked for 'Stories by Heart.' The short stories are all older and written by different writers. I found each one interesting. It was an utter joy to listen to John Lithgow perform them. He is a true artist, and it really shines in his retelling of these

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“Why do all of us want to hear stories? Why do some of us want to tell them…?”

I’m a fan of Lithgow as an actor and an individual, but I enjoyed the personal stories built around this rather than the actual set text delivered tales! A great insight into family moments and the love conveyed between, but another one that felt too distant from my own life perhaps to be able to fully appreciate, despite the welcoming nature and tone

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading the audible version of “STORIES BY HEART” written and narrated by the actor, JOHN LITHGOW. Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor John Lithgow (The Crown, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun) brings his latest critically acclaimed Broadway performance to Audible. Stories by Heart celebrates the transcendent power of great literature and serves as a touching tribute to Lithgow's late father, actor and director Arthur Lithgow. In the performance, Lithgow intersperses memories from his own life between dramatic readings of two short stories ("The Haircut" by Ring Lardner and "Uncle Fred Flits By" by P. G. Wodehouse) from his own cherished childhood volume of Tellers of Tales. Following his performance, Lithgow performs a third short story from the anthology - "The Monkey's Paw" by W. W. Jacobs - exclusively for Audible listeners. "Haircut" by Ring Lardner is included by kind permission of the Estate of Ring Lardner. "Uncle Fred Flits By" by P. G. Wodehouse is included by kind permission of the Estate of P. G. Wodehouse and taken from his collection of short stories Young Men in Spats (1936). I could listen to John Lithgow read the phone book. Awesome collection of stories about John Lithgow’s life growing up listening to stories that his father would read to the family. Excellent!