Life on the Refrigerator Door
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Life on the Refrigerator Door Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Dana Delany (Narrator), Amanda Seyfried (Narrator), Alice Kuipers (Author),
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 400 ratings
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Claire and her mother are running out of time, but they don't know it. Not yet. Claire is wrapped up with the difficulties of her bourgeoning adulthood ¿ boys, school, friends, identity; Claire's mother, a single mom, is rushed off her feet both at work and at home. They rarely find themselves in the same room at the same time, and it often seems that the only thing they can count on are notes to each other on the refrigerator door.

When home is threatened by a crisis, their relationship experiences a momentous change. Forced to reevaluate the delicate balance between their personal lives and their bond as mother and daughter, Claire and her mother find new love and devotion for one another deeper than anything they had ever imagined.

Heartfelt, touching, and unforgettable, Life on the Refrigerator Door is a glimpse into the lives of mothers and daughters everywhere. In this deeply touching novel told through a series of notes written from a loving mother and her devoted 15-year-old daughter, debut author Alice Kuipers deftly captures the impenetrable fabric that connects mothers and daughters throughout the world.

Moving and rich with emotion, Life on the Refrigerator Door delivers universal lessons about love in a wonderfully simple and poignant narrative.

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  1. Listening Length
    1 hour and 10 minutes
  2. Author
    Alice Kuipers
  3. Narrator
    Dana Delany, see all
  4. Audible release date
    August 21, 2007
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    HarperAudio
  7. ASIN
    B000VKCIWM
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 1 hour and 10 minutes
Author Alice Kuipers
Narrator Dana Delany, Amanda Seyfried
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 21, 2007
Publisher HarperAudio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B000VKCIWM
Best Sellers Rank #308,153 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#648 in Contemporary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#5,540 in Family Life Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#22,196 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
400 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

R. A. Frauenglas
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful original book about teens & parents
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2007
Verified Purchase
I was shocked to find that this book had only received an average of 3 stars from the people who have previously reviewed it. To me it's a gem! It's worthy of 5 stars! I read a copy from my local library & I'm buying it as gifts for friends. K. Sweeny gave this book a one star rating. Sweeny has to be one massively cynical person. I've read all the customer reviews & all the 3 star reviews seem so positive that I don't know why the reviewers only gave the book 3 stars. Some of them cried at the ending. Some spoke of giving the book to their Mom & others to read. Most spoke that it ended too soon & they wanted more. How is a book like that just 3 stars? If leaving the reader wanting more is a negative in those reviewer's minds, I'm speechless. I always thought that was a positive trait. Many said they read the book in 20 minutes. Whoopee, you can read fast. Why? You need to savor the words & emotions on the pages of this book.
This book definitely deserves 5 stars.
I wonder how many of the customers who have published reviews have raised or are raising teenagers.
I'm helping raise a 15-year old teenage girl. I thought I was reading her notes. This book is so realistic. Single working Moms can see themselves reflected in the notes left by the Mom.
So many families leave post-it notes on the fridge for each other. As far as I know this is the first time an author has written a book solely using notes posted on a fridge.
Even with her hands tied behind her back because of the technique she has chosen, the author was able to develop characters, make the reader care about her characters, write a tight plot, & maintain a flowing narrative.
Not only does this author deal very realistically with the interactions between a 15-year old teenage girl & her Mom (& her Dad) - but the author adds a terminal disease for the Mom. Somehow she knows how a young mother facing this crisis feels like. Somehow she is honest enough to include spats & conflicts even during this time of crisis between Mom & daughter.
I loved this book. It can only help parents & teenagers who read it have an even closer relationship. If they are having troubles, perhaps reading this book can help smooth the way to recovery.
How this author can touch so many actual emotions is amazing to me. I applaud her.
I applaud her with 5 stars.
I put a pox on cynics & naysayers. As for those readers complaining about wanting more . . . how is that bad?
This is the author's debut novel. Wow! What a triumph!
Cynics should stay away from this book. Curmudgeons need not open its covers. Speedreaders should slow down to savor the words & the emotions the book will bring out in the reader.
8 people found this helpful
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ella
4.0 out of 5 stars very good but short
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2020
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it was very good and fun to read but won't help you learn from your reading
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Tiberius
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2007
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A real page-turner. Especially when there's only one sentence on a page. This is why the book is cheaper than other hardbacks of the same size.

Some thoughts about it:
-- A modern drama written on a typical medium of our time, the fridge note.
-- The story unfolds partly in the reader: the fragmentary input makes a continuum in the reader.
-- It has a rhythm and theme you can easily connect to.
-- Actually, you could also use the text to teach English as a foreign language.
-- A modern version of the epistolary.
-- A small book so you can take it with yourself and read it anywhere and whenever you have some time to spare.

The main topic is nothing special. You might even say that it was probably financed by the health department to warn women to take regular medical check-ups seriously. Another trite theme is the relationship between a teenage daughter and an overworked single/divorced mother, which carries no novelty either. However, the way the threads of the story are woven, does not let you see it that way while you are imbued in the tale and after putting the book down finished. The magic effect of a good story teller's tale wears out slowly, which was the case with this book for me. When looking at the red spine of the book on my shelf, I have a general positive feeling about it. How the story is told makes a difference here.
One person found this helpful
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CWrenn
5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2017
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Kuipers' illustration of a typical family who has to face great tragedy is done outstandly well. This was one of the sadest books I have ever read, but I am glad I read it. The story unfolds as notes left on the refrigerator door by the mother and the high school aged daughter characters. The characters are so well developed, even dad's character is reveiled through only a few words. Read it!
2 people found this helpful
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Wanda Kester
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2018
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As an author, I find myself reading books with a critical eye but this one amazed me. How could I become so invested in this story based entirely on notes between a mother and daughter? I read it at work (thank goodness I'm my own boss) one afternoon and found myself crying! What an amazing story, method and brilliant writing!
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars The format is unique and it's an easy short read even if the plot is pretty predictable
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2017
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The format is unique and it's an easy short read even if the plot is pretty predictable.
I liked it.
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Mary Ann Potts
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for a pre-teen and up.
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2014
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After reading this book a couple of years ago, I decided to buy it for my niece, who's 11, an avid reader, and has a mom who's a doctor. Not only is it insightful but is an easy read. However, I feel it's geared towards a preteen and older with the situations that the daughter is going through in her teenager years.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ariel
5.0 out of 5 stars Doux et prenant
Reviewed in France on December 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
Un livre doux, qui se lit vite.
Nous sommes plongés dans cette vie fracturée que vivent une mère et sa fille, suivant leur querelles et retrouvailles à travers des mots laissés sur le frigo.
Une très belle histoire qui traite d’un sujet difficile avec douceur.
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Trinelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Favourite book
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2020
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Love it still makes me cry like the first time I read it
& it was delivered right on time I love it
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SMC
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favourite books
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
I've seen many people complaining about the layout of the book (seeing as it's written in the form of note left - you guessed it - on the refrigerator door. However, I enjoy this. Not only does it make it easy reading, as well as quick, but the fact it is able to draw you in so effectively is a testament to the author.

There's not much more that can be said without spoilers, so I'll just say give the book a chance, even if you don't think much of it to begin with!
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Julia
5.0 out of 5 stars The shortest saddest book
Reviewed in Germany on August 5, 2013
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It took me about 45min to read the book, but even in this short amount of time it totally captivated me. The book is written in more or less short notes between Claire and her mother, which they leave on the fridge door. They developed this way of communication because they barely see each other. Even if they use such few words Alice Kuipers could give her two main characters depth and complexity. It's what they say and what they don't say in these short notes that gives the reader a total and full picture of the relationship between Claire and her mom that ends in such a sad way.
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Thoughts On Books
5.0 out of 5 stars Unusual and moving
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2023
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swept away in this very unusual novel - a deeply poignant story told through notes on a fridge door. It's truly wonderful
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