I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive

By: Steve Earle

Narrated by: Steve Earle

Doc Ebersole lives with the ghost of Hank Williams—not just in the figurative sense, not just because he was one of the last people to see him alive, and not just because he is rumored to have given Hank the final morphine dose that killed him.

In 1963, ten years after Hank’s death, Doc himself is wracked by addiction. Since he lost his license to practice medicine, his morphine habit isn’t as easy to support, so Doc lives in a rented room in the red-light district on the south side of San Antonio, performing abortions and patching up the odd knife or gunshot wound.

But when Graciela, a young Mexican immigrant, appears in the neighborhood in search of his services, miraculous things begin to happen. Graciela sustains a wound on her wrist that never heals, yet she heals others with the touch of her hand. Everyone she meets is transformed for the better, except perhaps for Hank’s angry ghost—who isn’t at all pleased to see Doc doing well.

A brilliant excavation of an obscure piece of music history, Steve Earle’s I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive is also a marvelous novel in its own right, a ballad of regret and redemption and of the ways in which we remake ourselves and our world through the smallest of miracles.

©2011 Steve Earle (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“This subtle and dramatic book is the work of a brilliant songwriter who has moved from song to orchestral ballad with astonishing ease.” (Michael Ondaatje, New York Times best-selling author)

Only Earle’s narration can do justice to Earle’s storytelling

A captivating story by a captivating story teller. It’s hard to turn off once you start it.

I wish he’d write something else - cmon Steve!

Impressive

I really can’t think of any better or more appropriate word than impressive, damned impressive. I’ve always enjoyed Earl’s music, his interviews as well. I’ve been an Audible customer for several years and have heard my fair share of good and bad audio books. Many of the ones that I have liked the most have had less than all-star reviews. Others that have great reviews I have found, that, the reading just don’t always match the feel or the literary atmosphere for the material. Not the case here. Steve Earl wrote great novel and then narrated it in one of the most engrossing and, well, impressive performances that I can remember. Absolutely awesome.

Best Audible Book I've Listen to Yet

It takes a lot for me to give five stars all the way around, but this book did it for me.

At first I was scratching my head at the selection of the narrator (not realizing it was also the author) because of his voice and slight slur. But the voice--and the slur--really captured the mood and the character of Doc, the main character. Not to gush, but...Steve Earle was awesome!

The story had sweet moments without being sweet. It had tragic moments without being a tragedy. The narrative carried me along on a wave and sometimes Earle sneaked in a surprising phrase or juxtaposition that just made me belly laugh.

Know what I didn't like? It was just too short. Well, not really. It was long enough to tell the story effectively. But I just wasn't ready to say good-bye to the characters.

Great stuff… Steve Earle shines!!!

A wonderful story with great characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged. Great to hear Steve read his own book, delivering a heartfelt performance. Highly recommend it!!

Worth every penny

A genuine
gem of a novel told exceedingly well. Narration is so critical and Mr. Earle was the man to read it. Thoroughly enjoyed