The Levee

By: William Kent Krueger

Narrated by: JD Jackson, William Kent Krueger

An audio original novella from the bestselling author of Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, The Levee is a powerful, captivating story of a family, a storm, a complicated rescue, and the true cost of survival.

“A masterwork…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

It’s 1927, and the most devastating flood in American history has swelled the Mississippi River to a width of eighty miles. In an attempt to save a family trapped by the rising water, four men in a tiny rowboat battle the treacherous flow: three are convicts, on loan from the local prison and pressed into service; the fourth, the leader of the team, is driven by his own hidden motives. But to their surprise upon arrival at Ballymore, an ancestral home protected by a high, circular levee, not everyone in the family feels the need to be saved. Pride, greed, loyalty, and even love create their own complex currents behind the massive wall. As the threat from the flood increases and time ticks away, the crew and the family must decide on a course of action, and a desperate plan is hatched to save the weakening levee and all it was built to protect.

The Levee is a propulsive, heartfelt tale of courage, cowardice, and sacrifice in a historic moment when the indomitable human spirit is pitted against the awesome and destructive power of nature.

“Will the levee hold? Or will greed, pride, and hubris engulf the characters of The Levee like the historic flood waters of the Mississippi River threatening the inhabitants of Ballymore? William Kent Krueger’s masterful tale of suspense about courage, family, secrets, and the power of nature is a must-listen!” —Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room and The Personal Librarian

This audiobook includes an author’s note read by the author, a reading group guide (available as a PDF), and a preview of William Kent Krueger’s next novel, The River We Remember.

Critic reviews

"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."

"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." (Heather Booth)

"The gripping tale is narrated by J.D. Jackson; in his slow drawl, the story dramatically builds like flood waters rising." (Laurie Hertzel)

Fabulous

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Recommend it highly.

Building Story

I enjoyed the building story and building characters. I also liked learning about a passed flood and will look that up to expand that event.

The Levee

Really enjoyed this story. Good and evil . Men fighting their past ,survival - fighting nature’s forces. A Great battle against the river . Bonds that surpass family. Strong competent women on the front lines . Would be an incredible movie ! Great story

An old river’s tale….

Interesting tale of the Mighty Mississippi flooding in early 20th Century with a melding of human lives and Mother Nature. The intertwined stories of unlikely companions under their own stressors working on a stage of natural events.

Interesting and thoughtful

Fighting against the inevitable is a daily chore. I loved the stubborn characters and the choices they made - hard ones