The Levee was narrated by J D Jackson and written by author William Kent Krueger. I was drawn to this historical fiction, which takes place in 1927. When the most devastating flood in American history occurred. The Mississippi River swelled to a width of eighty miles and countless lives were lost. The Levee shares the story of four men who boarded a tiny boat to rescue a family trapped on an island. This heartfelt tale of man vs nature pulled me in.
by William Kent Krueger
Narrator: William Kent Krueger, JD Jackson
Length: 3 hours, 36 minutes
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.5x
A few years ago, we were affected by flooding and watched as others lost homes, farms and businesses. We suffered no loss, but with road closures and flooding, my husband worked from home for almost three months that summer. This story immediately made me think of that, and I was curious to learn more about the great flood.
The story that unfolds was unusual, brilliantly written and thought provoking. First, we have four men, all convicts, who agree to cross the river to Ballymore, an ancestral home protected by a high, circular levee. Upon arriving, they find that despite the dangers, some members of the household won’t leave. We see this all the time with natural disasters where people refuse to abandon their homestead.
A plan is devised to save the weakened levee. The tale held me spellbound as I waited to see if their plan would work and who would survive. This story is more than man verse nature and I devoured it in a single sitting. It’s a story that will stay with me.
Delivered an insightful look into the lives of those faced with disaster and those brave enough to save the lives of strangers. I will definitely explore more of William Kent’s works.
Jackson was the perfect choice to narrate this title. From the characters to his pacing and tones, he brought this story and its characters to life. I encourage you to listen to the author’s notes at the end. It was well worth it and added insight.
A few years ago, we were affected by flooding and watched as others lost homes, farms and businesses. We suffered no loss, but with road closures and flooding, my husband worked from home for almost three months that summer. This story immediately made me think of that, and I was curious to learn more about the great flood.
The story that unfolds was unusual, brilliantly written and thought provoking. First, we have four men, all convicts, who agree to cross the river to Ballymore, an ancestral home protected by a high, circular levee. Upon arriving, they find that despite the dangers, some members of the household won’t leave. We see this all the time with natural disasters where people refuse to abandon their homestead.
A plan is devised to save the weakened levee. The tale held me spellbound as I waited to see if their plan would work and who would survive. This story is more than man verse nature and I devoured it in a single sitting. It’s a story that will stay with me.
Delivered an insightful look into the lives of those faced with disaster and those brave enough to save the lives of strangers. I will definitely explore more of William Kent’s works.
Jackson was the perfect choice to narrate this title. From the characters to his pacing and tones, he brought this story and its characters to life. I encourage you to listen to the author’s notes at the end. It was well worth it and added insight.
About William Kent Krueger
Raised in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, William Kent Krueger briefly attended Stanford University—before being kicked out for radical activities. After that, he logged timber, worked construction, tried his hand at freelance journalism, and eventually ended up researching child development at the University of Minnesota. He’s been married for nearly fifty years to a marvelous woman who is a retired attorney. He makes his home in St. Paul, a city he dearly loves.
Krueger writes a mystery series set in the north woods of Minnesota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage—part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work has received a number of awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Loft-McKnight Fiction Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. His last nine novels were all New York Times bestsellers.
Ordinary Grace, his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. The companion novel, This Tender Land, was published in September 2019 and spent nearly six months on the New York Times bestseller list.
About JD Jackson
JD Jackson is an American audiobook narrator, actor, and theater professor. For audiobook narration he won 26 Earphone Awards and 1 Audie Award. In 2020, AudioFile named him a Golden Voice Narrator. In 2022, Booklist named him a Voice of Choice Narrator.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
I have this audiobook. It sounds like I need to push it to the top of my tbr.
Kimberly
I hope you enjoy it Carole.
Katherine
It always absolutely shocks me just how dangerous and deadly flooding can be. I’ve heard great things about this author’s writing and this sounds fascinating.
Kimberly
Water can be a scary thing. It shows no mercy.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Wow, flooding made it necessary for you husband to work from home 3 months? Didn’t know that. Must’ve been bad. I can see how you’d find this story interesting. I’ll check it out.
Kimberly
Yes, roads were closed.
Wendy
I used to live a few miles from the Mississippi River in Illinois. And the floods are so devastating now. I can’t imagine what it was like back then.
Kimberly
We are near the Missouri River. We ourselves are not in a flood zone, but areas around us go hit hard.
Sophia Rose
I’ve seen his books get more and more love lately and based on your reaction to this one, I might have to see why. 🙂
Kimberly
I hope that you do.
Anne – Books of My Heart
William Kent Krueger is a favorite. I love everything I’ve read. Although much of it has been the Cork O’Connor series set in Minnesota.
Kimberly
Yes, those are quite popular.