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Meet the Newmans

The Powerful And Affirming Adult Novel From The Multi Million Copy Selling Author Of All the Bright Places

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Meet the Newmans

By: Jennifer Niven
Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Tim Campbell
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About this listen

'I loved Meet the Newmans! . . . I appreciated the subtle feminist twist and the humor. Jennifer is always good but this is one of her best' – JUDY BLUME

You've seen the show. Now meet the woman behind the scenes . . .


From No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author Jennifer Niven, a novel about America’s favorite TV family, whose perfect façade starts to crack, for fans of Lessons in Chemistry and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Los Angeles, 1964.

For two decades, Del and Dinah Newman and their sons, Guy and Shep, have ruled television as America’s Favourite Family. Millions of viewers tune in every week to watch them play flawless, black-and-white versions of themselves. But now the Sixties are in full swing, and the Newmans’ perfection suddenly feels woefully out of touch.

Ratings are in free fall, as are the Newmans themselves. Del is keeping an explosive secret from his wife, and Dinah is slowly going numb. Steady, stable Guy is hiding the truth about his love life, and rock ‘n' roll idol Shep may finally be in real trouble.

When Del is in a mysterious car accident, Dinah decides to take matters into her own hands. She hires Juliet Dunne, an outspoken young reporter, to help her write the final episode. But Dinah and Juliet have wildly different perspectives about what it means to be a woman, and a family, in 1964 America.

Can Dinah Newman bring her family together to change television history?

Or will she be cancelled before she ever had the chance?

Maybe it’s time for perfection to fall out of style . . .

'This story of a famous fiction TV family in 1960's America and their subsequent unravelling is as thoughtful as it is entertaining. The writing thrums with energy, and the characters feel wholly believable. Definitely a recommend from me' – JENNIE GODFREY, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things

20th Century Domestic Thrillers Editors Select Family Life Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Thriller & Suspense Marriage Witty

Editorial Review

Have you met the Newmans yet?
I’ll admit it: Meet the Newmans had me the moment I heard it was for fans of Lessons in Chemistry, one of my all-time favourites. Set in 1964, it follows America’s favourite (fictional) TV family at a moment when the world is shifting fast and their picture-perfect image no longer fits. When Del is suddenly gone, Dinah steps into unfamiliar territory, while her two sons, Guy and Shep, grapple with their own secrets behind the scenes. What surprised me the most was the relationship between Dinah and Juliet, the writer she hires to help with the final episode of the family’s series. They start out at odds and slowly start to trust each other more than anyone else, especially as their deadline closes in. Marin Ireland and Tim Campbell brought these characters to life so amazingly that I kept wishing Meet the Newmans was a real TV show I could watch. —Patty R., Audible Editor

Critic reviews

Glamorous and nostalgic, chaotic and warm-hearted, but with important things to say – the perfect recipe for an immersive read about a family in the spotlight and the truth behind the façade. You will fall in love with all the Newmans, but especially Dinah, juggling fame, motherhood and being the perfect wife. Compulsive reading - I loved it! (Veronica Henry, Sunday Times Bestselling author of How to Find Love in a Bookshop )
Turn off the TV and read this book! Meet the Newmans is a warm, humorous, emotionally resonant tale of family and feminism, exploring the hidden layers of our everyday lives (Camille Perri, author of The Assistants)
Billed as Lessons in Chemistry meets Daisy Jones and the Six and I can completely see why. This story of a famous fiction TV family in 1960's America and their subsequent unravelling is as thoughtful as it is entertaining. The writing thrums with energy, and the characters feel wholly believable. Definitely a recommend from me (Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things )
I loved Meet the Newmans! The characters jump off the page. I appreciated the subtle feminist twist and the humor. Jennifer is always good but this is one of her best (Judy Blume, author of Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret )
Very unique and cleverly written. A big fat family drama and huge slice of social history in the 1960s when life for each family member pivots, attitudes are challenged and relationships are tested. This family is like a simmering pot on the stove, waiting to boil over. And when it does, it's a recipe for drama. (Jo Thomas, bestselling author of Love in Provence )
A clever and cathartic exploration of intergenerational female rage. I was immediately drawn in by the brilliant premise and the tongue-in-cheek way it scrutinises the dual lives all of us lead. (Anna Brook-Mitchell, author of Motherfaker )
Tapping into a keen sense of family fault lines, Jennifer Niven gives us the Newmans – a seemingly perfect television family who, once the cameras stop rolling, are barely holding it together in a rapidly changing world. Warm, witty, and wise, this is a novel about reclaiming the narrative when the cost of pretending becomes too high to bear. (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, New York Times bestselling author of The Nest )
Both a fascinating time capsule of 1960s America and a story that still feels fresh and relevant today. Readers will cheer as each member of this famous television family begins to figure out their place in a changing world. Whip-smart dialogue, a page-turning plot, and an ending that is heartwarming and oh-so satisfying! I loved this one. (Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Faculty Lounge )
All stars
Most relevant
Interesting but superficial - set in the 60s it presents the idea that America invented feminism and liberation and saved womankind from subjugation. Liked the tv aspect of it.

Good - very American story

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A wonderful story about love and family and human rights that also allows you to escape. Beautifully narrated and easy to listen to.

A story that made me feel

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Such a great feel good read whilst highlighting gender inequality. A timely reminder about women’s rights.

Everyone should meet the Newmans

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I loved every minute of this, from the era to getting to know each character and the journey of overcoming obstacles, it was uplifting and heartfelt and delivered a great message, I want more like this, what an excellent listen thank you

Absolutely Amazing

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I adored this book! Initially I was a bit skeptical of whether it would be too similar a read for me to the other well known book in this genre and set in the same time, but my attention and heart were captured quite early on, & kept finding every excuse possible to listen to it. It was read perfectly, and it felt like a story I just needed to hear. It didn’t dwell or linger on situations, or go too deeply into characters, but covered an important story in a way that matched what it was telling, and the characters involved, beautifully. I’d highly recommend it!

Could not take my earphones out!

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