Girls & Boys by Dennis Kelly

Girls & Boys

A razor-sharp play about power and choice

Written byDennis Kelly
Narrated byCarey Mulligan
Length1h46m
Release dateJune 27, 2018
LanguageEnglish
★★★★ 4.3 (2 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorDennis Kelly
NarratorCarey Mulligan
Runtime1h46m
PublishedJune 27, 2018
Rating★★★★ 4.3 / 5 (2 ratings)
CategoriesLiterature & Fiction, Drama & Plays, World Literature, European
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Dennis Kelly’s *Girls & Boys* is a compact but incandescent explosion of a play, packing a narrative punch in under two hours that lingers like the aftertaste of a bitter joke. It’s a story that oscillates between caustic humor and quiet devastation, dissecting the way gender roles warp our smallest choices into life-altering consequences. Kelly’s script is a masterclass in economy—every line feels deliberate, every pause weighted with unspoken tension. The setting shifts from a wedding reception to a beach to a sterile office, but the real stage is the mind of its protagonist, a woman whose life unravels in real time. This isn’t just a play about marriage; it’s a play about how society scripts our most intimate moments, and how hard it is to rewrite those lines once they’re cast in stone. Carey Mulligan’s narration shines a spotlight on the text’s raw emotional core, her voice shifting from brittle wit to exhausted vulnerability without ever losing its grip on the listener. The production’s understated sound design—subtle ambient shifts and the occasional jarring silence—serves as a perfect foil to Kelly’s razor-sharp dialogue, making the audio experience feel like eavesdropping on a confession you weren’t meant to hear.

Tags: Dennis Kelly dramaaudiobook with Carey Mulliganmodern feminist playsshort fiction with social commentarytheater adaptation audiobookfemale protagonist drama

Why Listen to Girls & Boys?

  • Expert narration by Carey Mulligan brings every character and scene to life across 1h46m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.3 stars by 2 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★

AudioBook Atlas

I’ve listened to this audiobook twice now, and the second time around, Carey Mulligan’s performance hit me like a gut punch. There’s something unsettling about hearing her voice—so often associated with charm and warmth—deliver lines that are so viscerally bleak. She nails the tonal whiplash of the script: one moment you’re laughing at a brutally funny one-liner, the next you’re squirming as the protagonist’s life spirals into something darkly inevitable. Mulligan’s pacing is impeccable; she never rushes the pauses, letting Kelly’s silences feel heavy with the weight of unspoken betrayals. The sound design, while minimal, is clever—sudden echoes in empty spaces or the muffled din of a party that’s just out of frame amplify the sense of isolation at the story’s core. My only critique is that some of the transitions between scenes felt a bit abrupt, as if the audiobook’s editors were too eager to keep the runtime tight. And while Kelly’s script is undeniably sharp, I wished for a bit more depth in the protagonist’s backstory—her choices feel abrupt rather than earned. Still, this is a production that rewards close listening, and Mulligan’s performance elevates it from a strong play to something truly unforgettable.

Download: Girls & Boys

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Girls & Boys by Dennis Kelly is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Carey Mulligan with a runtime of 1h46m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.