THE LEVEE by William Kent Krueger
Released: 2/28/2023
Published by: Simon and Schuster Audio
Narrated by; J.D. Jackson


A brilliant and enduring tale of man against nature complicated by pride, greed, loyalty and love. Krueger indicated his inspiration was a similar tale by Faulkner…. He had started it long ago, but honed it to perfection during the recent pandemic. The setting is the historical flooding of the Mississippi River in 1927, which wreaked havoc and mayhem along its flooded course. Four men set out in tiny rowboat to battle the treacherous currents, in attempt to rescue a group of people isolated and trapped in a valley nestled up against a tenuous Levee, that is on the verge of giving in to the raging river. Three of the men are convicts nearing completion of their sentences, and the forth, the leader of the team has ties to the people at the ancestral home of Ballymore. His true motivations will eventually be revealed. Unexpectedly, the reception by the family is not joy, but trepidation. The patriarchal male will not abandon his land, and is convinced the Levee will hold. He is receptive to a dangerous scheme that may bolster the strength of the Levee. His cohorts want to stay out of love and loyalty. Treachery and deceit will raise its ugly head during their arduous attempt to defeat the raging river.
Krueger wanted this tale to initially be released as an original audio, because of his love for the oral tradition of storytelling. This short but propulsive tale is one of courage and cowardice.
It truly is amazing how Krueger is able to set up such an atmospheric tale populated by well drawn characters, rich in complexities, in the novella length medium.
The many voices of J.D. Jackson are pitch perfect at the appropriate time , and propel the mood and emotions of the varied characters. He provides a welcome addition in seating the tale in the theatre of my mind
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for supplying an Advanced Audio version of the narrative in exchange for an honest review. This definitely is a Four Star presentation.