The Dove in the Belly

By: Jim Grimsley

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

At the University of North Carolina, Ronny's made some friends, kept his secrets, survived dorm life, and protected his heart.

Until he can't. Ben is in some ways Ronny's opposite; he's big and solid where Ronny is small and slight. Ben's at UNC on a football scholarship. Confident, with that easy jock swagger and an explosive temper always simmering. He has a steady stream of girlfriends. Ben's aware of the overwhelming effect he has on Ronny. It's like a sensation of power. So easy to tease Ronny, throw playful insults, but it all feels somehow...loaded.

Meanwhile Ronny's mother has moved to Vegas with her latest husband. And Ben's mother is fighting advanced cancer. A bubble forms around the two, as surprising to Ronny as it is to Ben. Within it their connection ignites physically and emotionally. But what will happen when the tensile strength of a bubble is tested? When the rest of life intervenes?

The Dove in the Belly is about the electric, dangerous, sometimes tender but always powerful attraction between two very different boys. But it's also about the full cycles of love and life and how they open in us the twinned capacities for grief and joy.

©2022 Jim Grimsley (P)2022 Recorded Books

Lovely, wonderful book

This book was a pure pleasure, beautifully written and very well read. Without unnecessary sentimentality yet sensual and poetic.

Solid and Delicate

It took me awhile to get into this audiobook. But I’m immensely glad I stayed with it. It’s a beautiful, well written story that twists and turns into something solid and delicate at the same time. And the author didn’t back away from writing a story about the jagged edges of Love and desire. Is there a “happily ever after” at the end? I think every reader will decide this for themselves. This felt like a challenging story to narrate, but Michael Crouch is one of my favorite narrators, and he does an admirable job of giving each character a unique quality and voice. I wholeheartedly recommend you give it a listen.

What an amazing, touching book…

….which Michael Crouch brings to vivid life. I loved every second of it. We need more audiobooks from this author and Michael should read them all.

Rhapsodic

This is a continuous song of lovely imagery and at its best, poignant and emotionally fulfilling.

Real Literature

This is the real thing—literature and not formulaic pulp. What a completely satisfying read. Time well spent.

Deep

I loved this book! It’s deep, passionate, heartwarming and suspenseful Love story. I could not put it down.