The Pre-Loved edit from Shopbop
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $10.67

Save: $3.18 (30%)

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Harold and Maude Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 496 ratings

Nineteen-year-old Harold Chasen is obsessed with death. He fakes suicides to shock his self-obsessed mother, drives a customized Jaguar hearse, and attends funerals of complete strangers. Seventy-nine-year-old Maude Chardin, on the other hand, adores life. She liberates trees from city sidewalks and transplants them to the forest, paints smiles on the faces of church statues, and “borrows” cars to remind their owners that life is fleeting—here today, gone tomorrow! A chance meeting between the two turns into a madcap, whirlwind romance, and Harold learns that life is worth living. Harold and Maude started as Colin Higgins’ master’s thesis at UCLA Film School, and the script was purchased by Paramount. The film, directed by Hal Ashby, was released in 1971 and it bombed. But soon this quirky, dark comedy began being shown on college campuses and at midnight-movie theaters, and it gained a loyal cult following. This novelization was written by Higgins and published shortly after the film’s release but has been out of print for more than 30 years. Even fans who have seen the movie dozens of times will find this companion valuable, as it gives fresh elements to watch for and answers many of the film’s unresolved questions.


Editorial Reviews

Review

“While the book closely mirrors its source, it reads not as the film’s inspiration or replacement, but as its valuable companion.” —Windy City Times

About the Author

Colin Higgins was a screenwriter, director, and producer of films that included Harold and MaudeSilver StreakFoul play, 9 to 5, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He died in 1988 at the age of forty-seven.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00VDHHB5Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chicago Review Press; Reprint edition (May 1, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 1, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2860 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 146 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 496 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Colin Higgins
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
496 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book an enjoyable and heartwarming read. They describe the story as terrific, magical, and a favorite classic. The humor is described as goofy and humorous, with three hilarious main characters. The story is heartwarming and full of hope, bringing back great memories. Readers appreciate the book's sturdiness, great condition, and credible actors. The novelization offers new details not included in the film and is well-encapsulated. The book is described as an easy, smooth read with excellent words.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

25 customers mention "Enjoyment"25 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it delightful, fun, and easy to read. The film based on the book is well worth watching.

"...This was one of those books that I savored, reading in a few concentrated sittings on my window seat with a mug of coffee or tea...." Read more

"...I found the book very easy reading & quite sweet. In this world of hate & discontent, it was heartwarming to read a story of pure love...." Read more

"...This book did that, for the most part. Good book--amateurish printing, odd size... but the words are excellent, and will amplify things you enjoyed..." Read more

"Delightful, unforgettable story of two outsiders born into chronologically distant and different times, who, yep, find each other. Three, count..." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it a nice companion to the film and an interesting tale about growing up, choosing life, and love. The book is quick but interesting, with a great love story.

"...This book is the perfect companion to the movie. There are a few scenes that are lengthened or not in the movie, but it is dead letter perfect...." Read more

"...Harold & Maude again after maybe 20 years & fell in love with this awesome movie! So of course I just had to read the book!..." Read more

"...odd size... but the words are excellent, and will amplify things you enjoyed about the film." Read more

"Delightful, unforgettable story of two outsiders born into chronologically distant and different times, who, yep, find each other. Three, count..." Read more

7 customers mention "Humor"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it goofy and delightful, with three humorous main characters that will make you laugh.

"...Three, count 'em , three hilarious main characters and more, will embarrass you if you're reading in public and you're prone to embarrassment,..." Read more

"...It's artistic, it's funny, it's wise.. Well worth reading, and doesn't take long to get from front cover to back cover." Read more

"Wonderful story, rich, complex characters; dark humor is used to poke fun at the craziness of our US culture in the 60's...." Read more

"Quirky and funny. I was looking for something light and short for a long day of plane travel and this was perfect...." Read more

6 customers mention "Heartwarming story"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the heartwarming story. They find it interesting and relatable, with an interesting twist on finding happiness. The ending brings back great memories and is full of hope. It's a story about growing up and making choices for life.

"...I found the ending sad, but full of hope! Maude taught Harold about love & how to really have fun! I feel his future was bright w/ hope!..." Read more

"A story about growing up, about choosing life, about being you...." Read more

"Thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt...." Read more

"...Simply brings back great memories." Read more

5 customers mention "Sturdiness"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's sturdiness. They say it arrived in good condition and is a delightful, goofy read.

"...out his story before Ashby put it to film -- keeping all the very best stuff intact." Read more

"...I forget who the actors were but they were totally credible!" Read more

"Love this book, it arrived in great condition. Shipping was good. It's now forever part of my "Fahrenheit 451 collection"...." Read more

"Delightful, goofy, a fine romp! A breath of fresh literary air!!!!" Read more

4 customers mention "Novelization"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the novelization. They say it's an excellent companion that offers new details not included in the movie. The story is well-encapsulated with rich, complex characters and dark humor.

"...My favorite movie of all time is well encapsulated in this novelization." Read more

"Wonderful story, rich, complex characters; dark humor is used to poke fun at the craziness of our US culture in the 60's...." Read more

"...He says it's an excellent companion and offers new details that were not included in the film." Read more

"NOVELIZATION - save your money!..." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read with good writing. They appreciate the wit and humor, as well as the excellent words that enhance the story.

"...a few scenes that are lengthened or not in the movie, but it is dead letter perfect...." Read more

"...Good book--amateurish printing, odd size... but the words are excellent, and will amplify things you enjoyed about the film." Read more

"...It’s an easy read and a good story. I’m just going to talk about my purchase experience. My sister bought this book from the library...." Read more

"Wonderful book. It was a smooth read, alternating between wit, humor, and tragedy with poise...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2015
    I've been a fan of the film for decades, and I was thrilled to find as a book being reissued. I just finished reading 'Harold and Maude'. This was one of those books that I savored, reading in a few concentrated sittings on my window seat with a mug of coffee or tea. You can only do things for the first time once, and some of them deserve to be stretched out as much as possible. This book is the perfect companion to the movie. There are a few scenes that are lengthened or not in the movie, but it is dead letter perfect. I cannot imagine reading it without having seen the movie first, so that you have Bud Cort and Ruth Gordon's voices in your mind as you read. It offers glimpses into Maude's philosophies that are gems. We get more of Glaucus the sculptor's story. I LOVE this book. Best treat I've bought for myself in ages.
    23 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2025
    Excellent!
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2014
    I saw Harold & Maude again after maybe 20 years & fell in love with this awesome movie! So of course I just had to read the book! I found the book very easy reading & quite sweet. In this world of hate & discontent, it was heartwarming to read a story of pure love. The age difference of H & M is soon overcome by the simple fact that he was never shown true love until he met Maude. Maude just reeked of unconditional love & Harold was swept away w/ her funloving personality, wit & charm. He saw he age, but still was drawn to her, & found an attractiveness to her which overlooks age. I found the ending sad, but full of hope! Maude taught Harold about love & how to really have fun! I feel his future was bright w/ hope! He learned to value himself & how to relate to others. His mother was really a terrible mother, mothers really matter to how a child grows intellectually. When you aren't shown love, its very hard to love others. Thanks goodness he ran into the lovely Maude!
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2020
    I read the book a week after seeing the movie. I had some questions I wanted resolved.

    This book did that, for the most part. Good book--amateurish printing, odd size... but the words are excellent, and will amplify things you enjoyed about the film.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2016
    Delightful, unforgettable story of two outsiders born into chronologically distant and different times, who, yep, find each other. Three, count
    'em , three hilarious main characters and more, will embarrass you if you're reading in public and you're prone to embarrassment, because you will be snorting and other disgusting and wonderful noises will come out of you.

    Made into an equally fabulous movie way back, last century.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2024
    It's not a great novel by any means but it has wonderful ideas and characters and it's so similar to the film. Very interesting to see how Higgins laid out his story before Ashby put it to film -- keeping all the very best stuff intact.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2017
    A story about growing up, about choosing life, about being you. It's artistic, it's funny, it's wise.. Well worth reading, and doesn't take long to get from front cover to back cover.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2021
    Picked this up for a summer reading challenge and was not disappointed in the slightest. It was quick, but interesting.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Kate
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story
    Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2023
    Funny and emotionally riveting.
  • Ray van Avond
    5.0 out of 5 stars More screenplay than book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2018
    This is more a screenplay than a book. Astonishingly close to the film in terms of detail. Enjoyed it
  • Bella
    5.0 out of 5 stars Leicht zu verstehen und minimale Abweichungen zum Film,...
    Reviewed in Germany on March 1, 2013
    Wir haben dieses Buch im Englisch-Unterricht für die Matura gelesen. Anfangs war es etwas schwer zu verstehen, doch dieses Buch ist witzig, einfallsreich und am Ende positiv schockierend. Ein muss für jede Klasse! Ich danke meiner Lehrerin für diese tolle Erfahrung und würde dieses Buch jeden empfehlen.
    Ebenfalls haben wir uns den Film dazu angesehen - kaum Abweichungen zum Buch und ebenfalls sehr gut gemacht!
    5 Sterne!
  • AWM
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Quirkly Novel of the Famous Film
    Reviewed in Australia on January 27, 2016
    This is a quirky little book that I really enjoyed. The novel itself was written in 1971 by Colin Higgins who wrote and directed the film of the same name. This film was the stuff of legends, being commercially unavailable in Australia for many years, and though it probably is available now, I have still never seen it. This kindle edition became available in 2015 and was worth a read. In parts it is very much a work of its time, but for those who lived through the seventies there is some nostalgic value in that. I still want to see the film, and I'm glad I read the book. Its an easy read.
  • Magdi Medgyaszai
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved the movie very much.
    Reviewed in Canada on February 23, 2022
    This is only a book, what I wanted to read, because I saw the movie hundred times. That is all !

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?