Ingram

A Novel

De: Louis C.K.

Narrado por: 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

Incredible, simple yet profound

I love this book. The language is so simple but the emotion and heart and spirit of it are so profound. I can’t wait to talk to my friends about this book after they’ve read it. Beautiful.

if you found it you'll likely enjoy it.

Louis c k rode a john steinbeck novel. it's good if you're into those sorts of things

Tremendous storytelling

I couldn’t stop listening and finished it in one bout. The storytelling was so refreshing. The raw innocence and emotion shown through CK’s Ingram was tough at times. Powerful. Sad. Happy. Kudos to mister CK.

Truly Profound

I’ve had this book pre ordered since Louis and Theo talked about it on TPW. It did not disappoint. The story being told through Ingram’s perspective not only allows you to feel like you’re along for the journey, but you get to experience his growth both physically and mentally in a way I’ve never really experienced in a story before. 5/5

Better than I imagined, but not surprised.

The author has this intense ability to dig into the simplest, universal moments and find something raw, beautiful, and even a little terrifying. so real and unfiltered, like life itself. Just like his comedy, simple, brutally honest, and articulated with precision and grace. Nothing feels forced or showy, just truth told perfectly.

Tom Sawyer and Forest Gump mashed together

I really enjoyed the story overall. It became cartoonish depressing at times but the depth of the characters and gritty perspectives kept me engaged. The literary device of having the books vocabulary grow as Ingram met people and learned to read was a nice touch. Good stuff keep it up.

Arrow into the feels

I didn’t expect this kind of depth from Louis C.K., but Ingram completely pulled me in. It’s raw, haunting, and so far from his comedy that it almost feels like meeting a different person — and that’s what makes it special.

The world he builds feels both familiar and futuristic — a dust-covered America where old gas cars are relics, “New Austin” shines like a sterilized utopia, and whispers of civil war hang in the air. It’s not quite dystopian, not quite real, but it gets under your skin.

The scene that stayed with me most was when Ingram catches a man stealing his money and instead of fighting, offers to split it. That moment defines him — painfully forgiving, endlessly human. I was mad at him, but also in awe.

By the end, as he and his father set out to find his mother, it hit me — this isn’t just about survival, it’s about grace in a broken world. Louis C.K. proves here that he can do more than make you laugh — he can make you feel.

It’s so incredibly beautiful and sad.

I love Louis CK so much he could’ve wrote anything and I could’ve made myself love it. This is in no way a comedy. The only reminders of Louis’ previous work are in the strange, haunting observations about the world done in such a unique poetic style- laid bare without any filler. I don’t think I could ever describe it. I own or have seen just about every project he has ever done. This book…this book is perfect. He somehow created another masterpiece in a totally different medium. I listened to it damn near without turning it off since it was released on audio book. I’m sure I will read it many more times.
Last thing I’ll say is you’re in for a journey, you won’t be able to predict it so don’t try, just open your heart and go along for the ride. Thank you Louis, thank you for all you do man. You’ve made my life, a very, very hard life a little bit easier again and again when I needed it.

pretty good

I think for a first novel Louis CK did really well. I dont want to leave a 5 star review because I think he could do better. The story is compelling. You feel for Ingram. All his trials and successes are yours. Louis CK gave an earnest effort in narrating, but I'veheard better. His writing is bare bones which allows the honesty to flow, but could be more polished. I think what is most important about this novel are the things he chose to leave out. Being timeless is hard to master. I look forward to what he writes next.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

Although I listened to this entire audio book essentially without stopping, I went back today to listen again to the certain chapters and sections I marked down in my notes as poignant. And those parts equally took my breath away upon the second listening as much as the first. I cried so hard at certain points. The pain, naivety and the raw integrity of Ingram made me reflect. I loved this book and I will carry it with me forever.