Clara’s Verdict
Becoming Forrest is the kind of book that should not be as good as it is. On paper, it reads as a publicity stunt: a British vet dresses as Forrest Gump and runs across America five times. In practice, Rob Pope has written something considerably more interesting — a genuine meditation on purpose, endurance, and what it means to keep a promise to someone you love. I found myself unexpectedly moved by it.
The absence of ego is striking. Pope is not performing for the reader; he’s processing something, and you can feel it throughout.
About the Audiobook
Rob Pope, a veterinarian from Liverpool, left his career behind to become the first person to recreate Forrest Gump’s legendary run across the United States. His route covered 15,621 miles — approximately the distance from the North to the South Pole — across five crossings over 18 months. The motivation was a promise to his mother: to do one thing in his life that made a difference.
The book is part travelogue, part endurance memoir, and part love story. Pope ran through blizzards, forest fires, and injury, encountering an America in a particularly turbulent moment. His encounters with ordinary Americans across the political and social spectrum give the narrative unexpected texture. This is not a book about running — it is a book about what we owe the people we love and the lives we almost didn’t live. At 12 hours and 46 minutes, it repays every minute.
The Narration
No narrator credit is listed for this production, which suggests the audiobook may use Pope’s own voice or a studio reader. Without specific narration details available, it’s worth checking Audible’s sample before purchasing — the warmth and self-deprecating humour of Pope’s writing voice comes through regardless, and the story carries sufficient momentum to sustain attention across the considerable runtime.
Multiple listeners report finding themselves unexpectedly caught up in Pope’s journey even if they came to the book without particular interest in running or Forrest Gump as source material.
What Readers Say
It holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 225 listener reviews on Audible.
Shaun Brader (5.0/5) writes: « I had the joy of a brief run with Rob only a short while before this book came out. What a great story, from his successes running, to looking for that “make a difference” promise made to his mum.There’s no ego to Rob, just an honest down to earth scouser, there’s no doubt that… »
Howard Worton (5.0/5) writes: « What Rob Pope achieved is so mind-bending that even after reading the story of his 5 times – FIVE – running across the USA it still sounds unreal and impossible. That’s the beauty of discovering ultrarunning – reading about ‘impossible’ stuff will have you convinced and perhaps… »
I am Statto! (5.0/5) writes: « This is a book for runners and non runners. Its a story of living your dream despite barriers (and life!) getting in the way. Not only a gripping story but a fantastic travelogue capturing the sights, sounds and people of America that Rob comes across on this amazing journey.… »
Phil Lucas (5.0/5) writes: « Awesome read for a truly awesome effort and epic journey. I’m glad I heard about Rob Pope on a recent podcast. I wouldn’t have heard of him or his epic journey if it weren’t for that. I can’t believe more companies didn’t sponsor Rob, they missed the boat big style.Definitely… »
One reviewer who describes having briefly run alongside Pope notes that the book captures his personality precisely — no ego, just honesty. That’s a meaningful endorsement from someone with direct comparison.
Who Should Listen?
For runners, obviously — but also for anyone who has ever wondered whether an apparently absurd idea might contain something true. For fans of adventure memoirs in the tradition of Born to Run. For anyone who has made, or wants to make, a promise worth keeping. This is one of those books that arrives at precisely the right moment for certain readers.
Listen to Becoming Forrest on Audible UK and find out whether one man can run his way towards meaning.
