• Bad Dirt

  • Wyoming Stories #2
  • By: Annie Proulx
  • Narrated by: William Dufris
  • Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (96 ratings)

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Bad Dirt  By  cover art

Bad Dirt

By: Annie Proulx
Narrated by: William Dufris
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Publisher's summary

A remarkable collection of stories, Bad Dirt is filled with the vivid characters for which Proulx has become known.

In "The Contest", the male population of Elk Tooth, Wyoming, vows to put aside their razors for two seasons, ante up 10 dollars each, and wait to see who has the longest beard on July 4.

Deb Sipple, the moving protagonist of "That Trickle Down Effect", finds that his opportunism - and his smoking habit - lead to a massive destruction.

In every story in this book, Proulx displays her wit and her knowledge of the West, of history, and, most of all, of characters who must use sheer will and courage to make it in tough territory.

©2004 Dead Line, Ltd. (P)2008 BBC Audiobooks America

What listeners say about Bad Dirt

Average customer ratings
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Loved it!

My interest in short stories was certainly satisfied by this collection of character studies. The performers read with such enthusiasm and range of voices, my attention never dwindled.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great writer

Annie might be the best writer ever. The narration is great. The book has an unexplainable type of comedy and is entirely relatable. I feel like the book connects me very much to the world she is writing about.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Misery Porn

Good writer and narrator, but how many down on your luck stories can you listen to. Just my perspective.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Don’t listen in one sitting

The stories, although related by location and recurring characters, are too disjointed to be listened to in continuous procession. Some stories better than others. Overall, just OK.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hypnotic

More tales from Proulx’s love affair with Wyoming. Like being there in person. So good.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Pleasurable listening

Each of these stories entertained or tickled or made me ponder. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. While a few of the characters were narrated in a hammy manner, the narration was mighty fine overall.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Who Came Up With These Names?!

Honestly, the story could be good, but I had to stop listening to it in less than an hour. The names given to the characters and places are ridiculous. they were so cringe-worthy, I winced when being introduced to a new character. I rolled my eyes so much that I was afraid they'd stick. Even the narrator sounded uncomfortable reading the Ultra silly names. Orion Horncrackl? Really?

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no good

did not enjoy this at all. have spent many years in wyoming. most of the stories were ni good.

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    3 out of 5 stars

Great writing; bad reading!

The reader overacted to a point that made this unlistenable. Too bad; seemed like a good story. We had to turn it off before the end of the f

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2 people found this helpful