Idaho

A Novel

By: Emily Ruskovich

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER • A stunning debut novel about love and forgiveness, about the violence of memory and the equal violence of its loss—from O. Henry Prize–winning author Emily Ruskovich

WINNER OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BOOK AWARD • WINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUZZFEED

Ann and Wade have carved out a life for themselves from a rugged landscape in northern Idaho, where they are bound together by more than love. With her husband’s memory fading, Ann attempts to piece together the truth of what happened to Wade’s first wife, Jenny, and to their daughters. In a story written in exquisite prose and told from multiple perspectives—including Ann, Wade, and Jenny, now in prison—we gradually learn of the mysterious and shocking act that fractured Wade and Jenny's lives, of the love and compassion that brought Ann and Wade together, and of the memories that reverberate through the lives of every character in Idaho.

In a wild emotional and physical landscape, Wade’s past becomes the center of Ann’s imagination, as Ann becomes determined to understand the family she never knew—and to take responsibility for them, reassembling their lives, and her own.

FINALIST FOR: International Dylan Thomas Prize • Edgar First Novel Award • Young Lions Fiction Award

“You know you’re in masterly hands here. [Emily] Ruskovich’s language is itself a consolation, as she subtly posits the troubling thought that only decency can save us. . . . Ruskovich’s novel will remind many readers of the great Idaho novel, Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping. . . . [A] wrenching and beautiful book.”—The New York Times Book Review (Editors’ Choice)

“Sensuous, exquisitely crafted.”—The Wall Street Journal

“The first thing you should know about Idaho, the shatteringly original debut by O. Henry Prize winner Emily Ruskovich, is that it upturns everything you think you know about story. . . . You could read Idaho just for the sheer beauty of the prose, the expert way Ruskovich makes everything strange and yet absolutely familiar.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Mesmerizing . . . [an] eerie story about what the heart is capable of fathoming and what the hand is capable of executing.”—Marie Claire

“Idaho is a wonderful debut. Ruskovich knows how to build a page-turner from the opening paragraph.”—Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

Exquisitely beautiful writing--but quite sad

I love the writing of Emily Ruskovich--it is poetic, haunting, beautiful. And the narration of Justine Eyre is equally lovely. It fits the story perfectly. However, I find the subject matter of the story unbearably difficult to listen to.

Couldn't get through it

Written so well, the imagery was wonderful. that's where the good part ends. The narrator is tough to take, her voice is grating and she makes some characters sound like they have mental disorders. I was so distracted by her voice I couldn't get through the book. By reading the reviews, I think I would have been disappointed anyway. As far as I got, nothing was making sense. Got three quarters of the way through, couldn't take it anymore.

Amazing Book

This book is so quietly haunting and well-written. Not exactly a page-turner but gripping in the small details of the characters lives and the gradual unfolding of they mystery. Lovely.

Great listen

I was shocked at some of the less than stellar reviews for this book, I really enjoyed it. I loved the writing style used, it was unusual, but very poetic and just beautifully written. Yes it is sad, but the characters were all very compelling and I'm glad that I got this book.

Beautiful prose but...

Beautifully written, but I think I need a literature professor to explain some of it. Wasn't crazy about the voice of the narrator. Maybe would have been better if a less nasal voice had been the narrator.