JANUARY 2023 - AudioFile
Golden Voice narrator JD Jackson acts out Krueger’s dramatic audio-original novella, which is about the potential breach of a levee, the only thing holding back torrents of water during the unprecedented flooding of the lower Mississippi River in 1927. Four men—three convicts temporarily released and a man named Quince Mobley—arrive by boat and work tirelessly to save the high, circular levee and rescue the obstinate stranded residents of an estate called Ballymore. Jackson’s deep, gravelly voice pervades the performance, shifting subtly to reflect the stiff-necked women and the strong-backed, sometimes bellicose, men. The raging river’s inexorable attacks are reflected in Jackson’s cadence as he adds emotional energy to the exhausting fight between men and the mighty Mississippi. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Booklist - Heather Booth
"The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 engulfed tens of thousands of square miles, across ten states, with up to 30 feet of water. Krueger sets his first original audiobook in this moment of crisis, as desperation pushes people, passions, and levees to their breaking points. The Ballymore estate is surrounded by one of those levees, built to protect the home and its people. But when a rowboat arrives at the estate, carrying work-release convicts who will help rescue the residents, the convicts are met with a surprising situation: not everyone wants their assistance. Jackson crafts consistent voices for many of the characters, softening his gravelly voice for women and making judicious use of accents. As the waters rise, the levee weakens, and the tension increases, Jackson's soothing, rhythmic narration is lulling. This allows for panicked dialogue to rise up and grip the listener like a cresting wave. His voice creates a cocoon around the listener like the levee itself, which seems protective but could ultimately mask great danger. This tense and satisfying tale has a historical setting eerily relevant to modern climate fears."
Star Tribune - Laurie Hertzel
"The gripping tale is narrated by J.D. Jackson; in his slow drawl, the story dramatically builds like flood waters rising."
From the Publisher
As a native Mississippian, The Levee rang very true to me. The voices were all speaking in a moment my father remembered. Thank you, William Kent Krueger, for taking me back to a time that was part of my own prehistory. I'm really glad I had that experience. As usual, the writing was brilliant." – New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
“A masterwork, riveting and unputdownable with richly drawn characters set against the unforgiving backdrop of a raging river and the wrath of nature. Full of heart and a spellbinding plot, Krueger packs a powerful punch in this audio novella, delivering grand scale storytelling at its finest.” - Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman’s Daughter
“A masterful mythic-scale story of heroism, love, evil, and folly clashing in the midst of a great flood.” - Thomas Perry, author of the Jane Whitefield series
"Golden Voice narrator JD Jackson acts out Krueger’s dramatic audio-original novella, which is about the potential breach of a levee… The raging river’s inexorable attacks are reflected in Jackson’s cadence as he adds emotional energy to the exhausting fight between men and the mighty Mississippi." - AudioFile Magazine, Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
“[JD Jackson’s] voice creates a cocoon around the listener like the levee itself, which seems protective but could ultimately mask great danger. This tense and satisfying tale has a historical setting eerily relevant to modern climate fears." – Booklist
JANUARY 2023 - AudioFile
Golden Voice narrator JD Jackson acts out Krueger’s dramatic audio-original novella, which is about the potential breach of a levee, the only thing holding back torrents of water during the unprecedented flooding of the lower Mississippi River in 1927. Four men—three convicts temporarily released and a man named Quince Mobley—arrive by boat and work tirelessly to save the high, circular levee and rescue the obstinate stranded residents of an estate called Ballymore. Jackson’s deep, gravelly voice pervades the performance, shifting subtly to reflect the stiff-necked women and the strong-backed, sometimes bellicose, men. The raging river’s inexorable attacks are reflected in Jackson’s cadence as he adds emotional energy to the exhausting fight between men and the mighty Mississippi. M.B.K. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine