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Ragged Company cover art

Ragged Company

Written by: Richard Wagamese
Narrated by: Monique Mojica,J. D. Nicholsen,Benjamin Blais,Wesley French,Douglas Hughes
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Publisher's Summary

Four chronically homeless people - Amelia One Sky, Timber, Double Dick and Digger - seek refuge in a warm movie theater when a severe Arctic front descends on the city. During what is supposed to be a one-time event, this temporary refuge transfixes them. They fall in love with this new world and, once the weather clears, continue their trips to the cinema. On one of these outings they meet Granite, a jaded and lonely journalist who has turned his back on writing “the same story over and over again” in favor of the escapist qualities of film, and an unlikely friendship is struck.

A found cigarette package (contents: some unsmoked cigarettes, three $20 bills, and a lottery ticket) changes the fortune of this struggling set. The ragged company discovers they have won $13.5 million, but none of them can claim the money for lack proper identification. Enlisting the help of Granite, their lives, and fortunes, become forever changed.

Ragged Company is a journey into both the future and the past, told by an accomplished full cast which includes, in order of appearance: 

Monique Mojica as AMELIA ONE SKY
Benjamin Blais as DIGGER J.D.
Nicholsen as TIMBER
Douglas Hughes as GRANITE
Wesley French as DOUBLE DICK 

©2009 Richard Wagamese (P)2019 Anchor Canada

What the critics say

“Wagamese writes with brutal clarity…. [and] finds alleviating balance through magical legend and poetic swells of sensate imagery.” (The Globe and Mail)

“[Ragged Company] has...melancholy tenderness and spiritual yearning. Wagamese evokes each character’s consciousness and history with compassion, deep understanding and a knowledge of street life.” (Vancouver Sun)

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What listeners say about Ragged Company

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I LOVED this book! Amazing story.

I listen to books at work while performing my tasks and this book made me excited to go to work. It is an amazing story that tells the lives of people we often walk by or ignore. Everyone has a story. I cried and I laughed and I celebrated and mourned alongside all of the characters. You will not be disappointed in this book - except the fact it ends!

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Wagamese came through again!

I have enjoyed every book of Richard Wagamese I have read so far, and this one may be my new favorite. Knowing a bit of his own story as he's written about it, one can imagine he pulls ideas and parts of stories from his experience and people he's met. Heartbreaking stories. He brings the people in this book to life, telling their stories in their voices. The audiobook performance also highlights the different characters. I listened to it any spare and quiet minute I could get.

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  • DB
  • 2021-01-24

Amazing story!

This is an amazing story for anyone who wants to be whisked away with eloquent words full of wisdom, and a story line that’ll make you laugh, cry, and think deeply.

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  • Jan
  • 2020-11-11

Unforgettable listening experience.

I can’t remember the last time I was moved to tears by a book. This is the second book by this author and both were exceptional. It’s a book that those who ignore or demonize street people should read to understand some of the circumstances that brought people to lose hope but it’s also a book about the power of love and friendships that makes this book so memorable. Fantastic author.

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love it!

Usually this isn't my kind of book but I loved it!Well written, amazing performance. I would definitely listen to more books by this author.

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Wagamese at His Best

Bought this Audible Book last month for Indigenous Peoples History Month (June). 5 stars all around. Four homeless people find a cigarette package with 4 cigarettes, 3 $20 bills, and a lottery ticket. They discover they have won 13 million $! But they need ID to claim the prize. Enter their new friend, a retired, cynical journalist who they met at the movies while trying to keep warm.
Heartwarming and insightful. Who are these 4 and how did they become homeless, and how will this money change them? For better or worse.

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Absolutely loved this book!

A book about four homeless people and one lonely upper middle class man, and about love and friendship, and above all —about connection. Richard Wagamese has a wonderful way of teaching us love and compassion to even the most wary of us. I kept thinking I knew what would happen next, and yet I was almost always wrong. A wonderful read!

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Loved it!

Wonerfully narrated story of struggle, loss and ultimately love and triumph in the lives of four street people. A worthwhile read.

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Fantastic Story.....Fantastic Narrating!

For me when I listen to an audiobook, the narrators voice has to grab me from the beginning - this book did just that, with different voices for each character, it made them come alive!
I loved the story and it moved me to tears in sections; everyone has a story to tell and sadly, most people are too busy with their own lives to listen. It also reminds us of what it's like to be human and to love unconditionally - well done!

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great story

a bit stereotyped but long and deep, comforting and touching. A story worth listenning to.

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  • Emunah Herzog
  • 2021-10-01

The Author Once Said This Was His Favorite

At a reading of Indian Horse, another fabulous book by Richard Wagamese, he was asked which of his many novels was his favorite. He kinda quipped that maybe the one he was working on at the time, but then said, Ragged Company. Which is why I read this next, and it totally held up to the promise.
I can't quite figure out how this author is able to tell stories about such difficult situations in a way that neither sugarcoat them nor leave the reader bereft. Sad at times, yes, but somehow he always balances the tragic with the deeply beautiful; spiritual often. I will never look at a homeless person the same way.
Fantastic storytelling, more than one slice of life, with very three-dimensional characters that I fell in love with and who will follow me around for a while to come. Highly recommended!

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  • Donna Sanford
  • 2023-06-06

Thought provoking

I found this story thoroughly enlightening. I highly recommend this and plan to read more Richard Wagamese.

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  • Katherine
  • 2023-02-24

Loved it!

It had a little bit of everything for anyone who wants to read it. It’s heartfelt and funny and sad and entertaining. Go ahead and give it a read. He will be sorry.

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  • Judith A. Friedman
  • 2021-04-30

Best story ever

I loved this book. The characters were so real and the dialog was great. I never wanted it to end. You will love it too

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