The Sideways Life of Denny Voss

A Novel

De: Holly Kennedy

Narrado por: Andrew Eiden, Holly Kennedy

In this poignant and funny novel, a man who is defined by his limitations sets out to fight a murder charge—and discovers unexpected truths about himself, his family, and the world at large.

On the surface, Denny Voss’s life in rural Minnesota is a quiet one. At thirty years old, he lives at home with his elderly mother and his beloved blind and deaf Saint Bernard, George. He cleans up roadkill to help pay the bills. Though his prospects are limited by a developmental delay—the result of an accident at birth—Denny has always felt that he has “a good life.”

So how did he wind up being charged with the murder of a mayoral candidate—after crashing a sled full of guns into a tree?

As Denny awaits trial, his court-appointed therapist walks him through the events of the past year. Denny’s had other scuffles with the law, the first for kidnapping a neighbor’s cantankerous goose. And then there was the time he accidentally assisted in a bank robbery. It seems like whenever Denny tries to do the right thing, chaos ensues.

Untangling the events around the murder reveals even more painful truths about his family’s past. He’s always been surrounded by people who love him, but now it’s up to Denny to set his life on a new course.

©2025 by Holly Kennedy. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Andrew Eiden charmingly performs this first-person story of Denny Voss, which recounts a series of misunderstandings that lead to his conundrums and, eventually, his arrest for murder. Thirty-year-old Denny is cognitively challenged, and Eiden's portrayal displays Denny's persistent optimism and heart of gold in a natural way.… At the audiobook's end, author Holly Kennedy conversationally describes her reasons for writing a respectful, amusing story based on a developmentally disabled character. Listeners will, no doubt, root for Denny, too.”—AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award Winner

“Original, deftly crafted, and told with author Holly Kennedy’s distinctive and narrative driven storytelling style…Unreservedly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review

“The Sideways Life of Denny Voss will be a modern classic. Kennedy’s Denny is not idealized. Instead, he is fully revealed, with a clarity not seen in the pages of a novel since Carson McCullers wrote The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. His story is a meditation on justice, bigotry, gun violence, and equity. Read it, perhaps as I did, all night, in one sitting, then look deep into your own community—and into your own heart.”—Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean

Brilliant! Funny! Breathtaking!

This is a musty for everyone who is interested in what life brings to you, no matter what. How to pursue, how to love, how do I accept each day one day at a time with gratitude.

Insightful

My best friend would love this. She is a pediatrician, and dog rescuer. She wont read a book nor see a movie in which the dog dies. So it was my duty to listen to listen as I am a good friend. The consistency of writing in this voice is difficult but such a wonderfully beautiful story unfolds. Empathy is a gift when we all consider things from another’s point of view. And to be humorous as this is is fabulous.

Perfect narrator for a wonderful story

Loved Denny. Loved his family and found-family. The mystery aspect was engrossing. The story was touching and also funny.

Loved this book!

It was written and narrated with excellence. Denny’s personality came through clearly. This book made me laugh, cry and appreciate the differences in human beings.

Absolutely incredible

This book is full of heart, just like its characters. You will laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. A marvelous, refreshing story. I adore Denny!

Beautiful story about humanity and empathy and love.

Fell in love with Denny and George. Very sweet story about a special human and his dog.

Relatable

I loved the characters and how true to life they are. Great read and highly recommend for anyone!

Good Listen

I enjoyed the book. The characters were great, and well portrayed.
If you're going to listen to this, and you're Not a rabid believer in heavy handed leftist ideology, then hit "Stop" as soon as the book is over. The author's note afterwards is long and left a bit of a rusty taste in the back of my throat.

The honesty of the characters

My brother was much like Denny, can attest that it rang true and it was a good story!

Different and laugh out loud funny

I absolutely loved it. It’s absolutely unique and entertaining and so many people could learn a lot from Denny