Ingram

A Novel

By: Louis C.K.

Narrated by: Louis C.K.

A suspenseful, often harrowing yet hopeful odyssey through rural America follows a young drifter’s coming of age in an indifferent world, in this debut novel by comedian Louis C.K.

When Ingram is forced by overwhelming poverty and spiritual exhaustion to walk away from his home, he leaves behind a neglectful childhood on a dirt farm on a dead-end road. With no family, no resources, and no practical understanding of the world, Ingram’s only compass is the daily fight to survive and the narrow dream of one day owning a truck.

A picaresque novel set against the backdrop of working-class Texas, Ingram invites listeners to see the world through the eyes of a child who drifts through a tough American landscape of corn farms and oil fields, guided by diner waitresses, migrant workers, and criminals, trying to make sense of a world that doesn’t care about him anymore than a jungle or desert does for the creatures that toil to survive within them.

The reality Ingram discovers is wild and cruel, but filled with unexpected wonders. Though this young boy faces tornadoes, explosions, thieves, and rampant violence, his curiosity, humor, and resilience never dull.

As he begins to push against the tide of social and natural bad luck that seems to almost chase him, Ingram begins to forge himself into an individual with agency and the ability and right to choose his own moves, even if he’s not always prepared for the consequences.

Through Ingram’s journey, he begins to come to terms with a forgotten tragedy from his past that shapes the way he understands himself, his family, and his own place in the world.

©2025 Pig Newton Books, LLC (P)2025 John Marshall Media

AI voice over?

First of all, phenomenal story. Written well, really impressed by Louis. BUT - The voice over performance is either terrible or it is an AI recreation. the pronunciation and cadence is off, and if it is AI, which I assume it is, that's a major issue for me. Maybe Louis just isn't good at it, but you'd think someone who talks for a living would do better. I'm almost positive it's AI.

An Unexpected Modern Classic

When I read the synopsis and the favorable reviews, considering the author - who I only know as an (excellent) comedian - I was intrigued, but was not prepared to be bowled over by this deeply intricate and meticulously crafted odyssey.

Literally every scene, and every chapter of Ingram's journey, is compelling yet deceptively simple ... and every character that informs his life is fully constructed, and vital to his coming of age.

I was also impressed by the depth of research that must have gone into this work; the social norms, but especially the window into the horror of the oil fields and the desperation that drew men to work there. Again, each individual, and their backstory, were essential threads - woven into a rich fabric of human existence.

As I listened, I kept debating whether or not this work is on a par with Huckleberry Finn - and finally decided that these two books, while not directly comparable, were parallel and equally impactful.

Yes, a modern classic.

Classic Louie

Louie has a funny way of making you chuckle at a dog dying. He also has funny way of making you shed a tear. Dynamic. I enjoyed the perspective and if you’re a Louie fan, you can’t help but think that some of this is his funny way of working out some weird ass idea. 10.

Want more of Ingram please

Loved Ingram want to hear more about him please please please pretty please please please word minimum is ridiculous for reviews

Pure Joy

Beautiful story abt a pure soul. I saw Lewis CK on a podcast talking abt Ingram and I was intrigued. This book did not disappoint and was in fact better than I could have imagined!!