Islands in the Stream

By: Ernest Hemingway

Narrated by: Bruce Greenwood

Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

First published in 1970, nine years after Hemingway's death, this is the story of an artist and adventurer, a man much like Hemingway himself. Beginning in the 1930s, Islands in the Stream follows the fortunes of Thomas Hudson, from his experiences as a painter on the Gulf Stream island of Bimini through his antisubmarine activities off the coast of Cuba during World War II. Hemingway is at his mature best in this beguiling tale.

Ernest Hemingway did more to change the style of English prose than any other writer in the 20th century, and for his efforts he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954. Hemingway wrote in short, declarative sentences and was known for his tough, terse prose. Publication of The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms immediately established Ernest Hemingway as one of the greatest literary lights of the 20th century.

As part of the expatriate community in 1920s Paris, the former journalist and World War I ambulance driver began a career that lead to international fame. Hemingway was an aficionado of bullfighting and big-game hunting, and his main protagonists were always men and women of courage and conviction who suffered unseen scars, both physical and emotional. He covered the Spanish Civil War, portraying it in fiction in his brilliant novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, and he subsequently covered World War II. His classic novella The Old Man and the Sea won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953. He died in 1961.

©1970 Mary Hemingway; 1970 Charles Scribner's Sons. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

I am not about to review Hemingway...

I am not about to review Hemingway, he is above that, or at least far above my capabilities to do so. However the narrator is another story, and he was magnificent, he brought the book to life. Not a skill that I've seen often.

A beautiful story

The story of an artist and father a solder and a thinker. Bruce Greenwood's performance was nothing short of brilliant. His charters were engaging and brought this story to life!

Interesting book

I liked the way Hemingway wrote the book in three parts
The time Thomas Hudson had with his thee sons was fun and uplifting

A Masterpiece, How Dare I Even Opine

Amazing story in every way, I tasted the drinks and smelled the waves. The narrator expertly brought every character to life. Oh Hemingway, where is your spirit to help us in these trying times when your old enemies gain territory everyday in the world. Thank you!

Classic Hemingway

Virile prose connecting reader with author and his story of man living with dignity against odds and when losing, losing well.

Hemingway

When you get hooked on Hemingway, there’s no turning back . To a guy he’s your hero , great in everything he does . He experienced everything form war, hunting, fishing, the ladies . you name it he was the greatest. I believe he got bored with life and when his health failed and alcoholism set in and just didn’t want to live a boring life and killed his self like 3 of his other family members did. This book is so exciting you feel like him as he weaves this character into the book.

Excellent!!!

The best narrator ever!! I lost count of all the different characters. Genius. A true artist. The narrator makes all the difference. As for the story, a typical Hemingway novel. If you like Hemingway, you’ll like “Islands in the Stream”!

Excellent descriptions!

I love Hemingway. His books are so descriptive you can picture and feel everything. The first half was excellent, but he second half drug a bit, although very good nonetheless. Wish he didn't kill off his main characters!!

Incredible narration

Although I am a huge fan of Hemingway, I can't say enough of the narration by Greenwood. Throughout the entire story I kept thinking of Robert Redford and his smooth voice. Excellent.

Excellent

The narrator was the best I’ve heard. He truly brought this story to life for me.