Preview

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Raft of Stars

By: Andrew J. Graff
Narrated by: Lincoln Hoppe
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.29

Buy for $24.29

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

“A rousing adventure yarn full of danger and heart and humor.” (Richard Russo)

An instant classic for fans of Jane Smiley and Kitchens of the Great Midwest: when two hardscrabble young boys think they’ve committed a crime, they flee into the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Will the adults trying to find and protect them reach them before it’s too late?

It’s the summer of 1994 in Claypot, Wisconsin, and the lives of 10-year-old Fischer “Fish” Branson and Dale “Bread” Breadwin are shaped by the two fathers they don’t talk about.

One night, tired of seeing his best friend bruised and terrorized by his no-good dad, Fish takes action. A gunshot rings out and the two boys flee the scene, believing themselves murderers. They head for the woods, where they find their way onto a raft, but the natural terrors of Ironsforge gorge threaten to overwhelm them.

Four adults track them into the forest, each one on a journey of his or her own. Fish’s mother Miranda, a wise woman full of fierce faith; his granddad, Teddy, who knows the woods like the back of his hand; Tiffany, a purple-haired gas station attendant and poet looking for connection; and Sheriff Cal, who’s having doubts about a life in law enforcement.

The adults track the boys toward the novel’s heart-pounding climax on the edge of the gorge and a conclusion that beautifully makes manifest the grace these characters find in the wilderness and one another. This timeless story of loss, hope, and adventure runs like the river itself amid the vividly rendered landscape of the Upper Midwest.

©2021 Andrew J. Graff (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about Raft of Stars

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    248
  • 4 Stars
    113
  • 3 Stars
    64
  • 2 Stars
    23
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    243
  • 4 Stars
    90
  • 3 Stars
    40
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    5
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    214
  • 4 Stars
    102
  • 3 Stars
    50
  • 2 Stars
    25
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Nice morality adventure tale

Very nice book to listen to with a slow but comfortable reader. North woods tale part coming-of-age, part suspenseful adventure, and part imperfect wisdom of experience. The pace was good and the story engaging. Sure, (like one overly bitter Wisconsin native reviewer complains) there was some mild “stretching” of the Wisconsin wildlife to fit the story but nothing unreasonable to make the narrative flow. I enjoyed the book from beginning to end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Modern Huckleberry Finn story.

Good story. I enjoyed the many characters. good narration. Only a couple of cuss words..that's always nice!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Feel good

I’m so tired of reading ugly stories full of hate and violence. What’s wrong with a cast of characters you can care about, worry about? Nothing. This is an optimistic story. One adventurous tale that leaves you feeling good when it’s over. Sure, it’s a bit far fetched, but who cares? Just enjoy it and have fun. Feeling good isn’t a crime.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A possible family read

Lots of spiritual overtones, and not just Christian if you're really paying attention. If you have middle schoolers this would be a good book you could both read together. Themes of innocence lost and found, facing down ones past, 'happy accident' relationships. A lovely journey overall.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

This was a wonderful heartfelt story. Others have claimed that Wisconsin is NOT r this “wild”, but there are areas that I’ve been that are this wild and desolate.

One Im

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

The writing is top notch. The characters were full of life. I was transported to every scene.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Suspenseful. Good storytelling. Storylines were enjoyable and heartfelt and descriptive. Hope there's another book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pleasant Listen

Good clean adventure! I am ready for another book by Andrew J. Graff whenever he is ready! Meanwhile, I will just listen to this one again!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Needs closer editing

It was a good story, all in all, about the strength of friendship and an indomitable spirit, but could have been told well in less space. A sweet story, though.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

Well written, easy to follow,easy to understand, and well read. Couldn’t wait to get back to it throughout my workday.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!