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All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

A Novel

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All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

By: Bryn Greenwood
Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
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About this listen

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. Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Emotionally Gripping

Critic Reviews

"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)
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Great narration & storyline, even though it was a little different. The book's title is perfect. I really enjoyed it.

Kept me listening!

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The plot and the uniqueness of the characters made for such a compelling read.
The narrator did an outstanding job. Each character felt alive.
Loved every minute!

Outstanding

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Listened to this on some long distance driving and kept driving to keep listening - intense.

Loved it

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this was one of the most unusual books I've read in years, original and really made me think. subject matter was very confronting

compelling and confronting story

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What a story. Wow. I still don’t know how I feel. Was it right? Was it wrong. Loved the book.

Loved it!

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love the books, challenges your values and morals in every way. have read multiple times

Great storyline

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This book absolutely got me, it is wonderfully written, raw - emotional roller coaster, your moral compass is flipped and I’m still not sure where I stand!
I really enjoyed this book and do recommend.

Really enjoyed this

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From start to finish - what an incredible story! Narration was top notch - just loved this!

Hooked!

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An incredibly powerful book that tackles disturbing themes with nuance and empathy. This is not the sort of story I would normally gravitate towards but I saw it recommended on Tik Tok. The second half of the story I couldn’t stop listening to. Highly recommend.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

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So disturbing yet I couldn’t stop listening. I wanted to know more. I really felt a part of it so wrong yet so lovely. I just totally lost the words one of the best stories I’ve heard.

Wow I’m speechless

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