All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

A Novel

De: Bryn Greenwood

Narrado por: Jorjeana Marie

A beautiful and provocative love story between two unlikely people and the hard-won relationship that elevates them above the Midwestern meth lab backdrop of their lives.

As the daughter of a drug dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. It's safer to keep her mouth shut and stay out of sight.

Struggling to raise her little brother, Donal, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible adult around. Obsessed with the constellations, she finds peace in the starry night sky above the fields behind her house until one night her stargazing causes an accident. After witnessing his motorcycle wreck, she forms an unusual friendship with one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold.

By the time Wavy is a teenager, her relationship with Kellen is the only tender thing in a brutal world of addicts and debauchery. When tragedy rips Wavy's family apart, a well-meaning aunt steps in, and what is beautiful to Wavy looks ugly under the scrutiny of the outside world.

A powerful novel you won't soon forget, Bryn Greenwood's All the Ugly and Wonderful Things challenges all we know and believe about love.

©2016 Bryn Greenwood (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Jorjeana Marie was meant to narrate this gripping story, which takes place in meth country in the Midwest. Neglected, abused 8-year-old Wavy Quinn is stargazing when she unintentionally causes Jesse Joe Kellen, an ex-con employee of her drug-dealing dad, to crash his motorcycle. Marie grippingly portrays this troubled pair who befriend each other after Wavy saves his life. Things come to a head when their relationship is misunderstood. In addition to deftly presenting the lead characters, Marie perfectly renders Wavy's adorable little brother and beloved grandmother. Some chapters are written from other characters' viewpoints over a period of 15 years, and Marie presents those flawlessly as well. Listeners will be eager to hear what happens next, always rooting for Wavy and Kellen." ( AudioFile Magazine)

Just like the title - ugly and wonderful

Eight hours into this 11 hour book and I was thinking I had wasted a credit; I couldn't stop listening, but I wasn't happy. Then it ended and all of a sudden this wave of emotion hit me like a freight train. That never happens. What a weird book! The first part is beautiful, then it gets uncomfortable, then it makes you question everything you thought you knew about relationships and family, then it gets like a bargain bin book, then it just sneaks up on you and crumples you. It never panders to your emotions. It doesn't care what you think. Definitely worth the credit. And definitely worth the time!

Read this book.

No, really. Just read it. Don't read up on it more, don't look for spoilers, just one-click, and read/ press play, whatever. You're welcome all the way.

Favorite book of 2016!!

What an absolutely fantastic story. I can't wait to read more from this author. It does touch some sensitive subjects, but there is nothing better than a well written book. A well written books with an original plot line. I could have done without some of the POVs, and the narrator sometimes messed up with what voice she was doing, but it really was fantastic.

Emotional conflicting

Really loved the story but found my emotions contradictory to my beliefs. It surprised myself.

NO WORDS....JUST GET IT!

I did struggle some with this listen but kept an open mind.

Jorjeana Marie gave an all consuming performance.

My first book by Bryan Greenwood. I'm looking for more.

Worth a credit/$$ ABSOLUTELY

liked it.. made me uncomfortable.. then loved it!

Don't read too many reviews and ruin it. just read it ! it's a great book and a great performance. very entertaining. great characters you'll grow to love.

Welcome to my life

If you could sum up All the Ugly and Wonderful Things in three words, what would they be?

This story appealed to me because it was so similar to my own life. The good, bad, and ugly. I wasn't disappointed. It was authentic, un-nerving, and believable.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jorjeana Marie’s performances?

No. I don't know if she has an accent or just chooses to enounciate every "t" to sound original. I found it distracting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes and I did. Coincedently I listened to it while on my motorcycle.

Any additional comments?

Excellent example of how it only takes one person to change th course of your life for the better. What may seem wrong to an outsider may be the best thing you have to hold on to.

Makes you rethink things

Greenwood's carefully written story really allows you to see how your morals, what you believe in, isn't the whole picture--that circumstances are always personal and that your relationships can be just as real as mine.

A raw and complicated love story, AMAZING!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Absolutely! With so much ugliness in this world, the writer tells a raw but beautiful and innocent love story about trust, purity and friendship. Two misfits in society find love, loyalty and acceptance in simple ways that turn complicated and complex with time. Ways that may not be accepted by others in our society, but these two do not live 'normal' lives. Beautifully written and narrated. I devoured this book (Audible) and would recommend it everyone!

Would you recommend All the Ugly and Wonderful Things to your friends? Why or why not?
Absolutely! With so much ugliness in this world, the writer tells a raw but beautiful and innocent love story about trust, purity and friendship. Two misfits in society find love, loyalty and acceptance in simple ways that turn complicated and complex with time. Ways that may not be accepted by others in our society, but these two do not live 'normal' lives. Beautifully written and narrated. I devoured this book (Audible) and would recommend it everyone!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Jorjeana Marie does a fantastic job with the characters (of which there are MANY), her voice has a beautiful range that paints the stage for all walks of life, male and female. She does an excellent job with young voices.

If you could take any character from All the Ugly and Wonderful Things out to dinner, who would it be and why?
The protagonists, Wavy and Kellan. Even though Wavy wouldn't eat dinner out, I would love to see these characters interact. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE turn this into a movie!

Any additional comments?
This love story was so unique, it truly shows you the ugly and wonderful things in a life that is cruel and unfair. One of the best stories I've read in a long time.

Best audiobook of 2016

This book was so refreshingly different from everything else I have read, and I absolutely loved it! The story is told from many points of view and it is very well done. The story flows nicely and there weren't any boring parts; every chapter moved the story along.

The story and characters have many dark parts, but it takes an incredible talent to make even the dark characters and situations seem likeable. This was one book that I was eager to listen to every chance I got! Well done debut; I'm already looking forward to whatever her next book will be!