Ingram

A Novel

By: Louis C.K.

Narrated by: 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

exceeded my expectations

I have been anticipating this book since hearing you louis talk about it with Theo Vonn. This is definitely a story that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I finished it on the way home from work and ran inside and hugged my children trying to hold back tears.

I loved this book :(

Such a heartbreaking book. Ingram is probably one of the purest souls and any little act of generosity that is given to him is so rewarding for the reader to listen to. I loved how even the simplest thing such as human touch or being grateful towards someone is a foreign concept to him that he struggles to understand. It makes me feel more sympathetic towards humans, even his pa, to think about what someone is going through and where they came from before passing judgement.

Simple and Unexpected

This novel is pretty good. Not great, certainly not bad.

Know upfront that it is NOT funny, or especially "entertaining" - two qualities that one might assume from Mr. CK.

This novel is somber, imaginative, humble, literary in character, minimalist and direct in its narrative style.

It also isn't trying to be anything that it's not: this is what happened to simple-minded Ingram, according to Ingram. Any profundity you find here is incidental, and there is some, but not lots.

Enjoyable. Interesting. Sad. Exactly as long as it needs to be. Consider a speed of 1.2 or 1.3, though - the reading pace feels quite slow.

Ingram

Hearing the author’s own voice gives the audiobook an unmistakable intimacy. You’re not just listening to a narrator interpreting the text; you’re hearing the creator carry his story forward. That choice alone elevates the experience. If you’re up for something serious, reflective, and rooted in the gritty realities of working-class America, then Ingram is a strong pick. It’s not about easy comfort or heroic fantasy—it’s about a boy, his world, his survival, his growth. And the audiobook format makes it feel personal—in the best way.

Great Listen

I like it when an author reads their own words, especially a professional stand up… you get the emphasis and phrasing that was intended. Did I enjoy listening more than reading? Yes, probably. When I heard about it on the Theo Von podcast, I couldn’t wait for this book. And I listened to it, burned through it, in two days. It’s compelling, and bleak, and sad, and a good reminder to be thankful you weren’t born into Depression era Dust Bowl poverty… cause according to this book, it’s pretty rough!

More novels by Louis CK, please. Thank you.