The Sun Also Rises

De: Ernest Hemingway, Colm Toibin - introduction

Narrado por: William Hurt

2007 Audie Award Finalist for Classics

“The ideal companion for troubled times: equal parts Continental escape and serious grappling with the question of what it means to be, and feel, lost.” —The Wall Street Journal

Originally published in 1926, The Sun Also Rises helped cement Ernest Hemingway's status as the one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century. A poignant look at disillusionment and angst, the novel introduces two of Hemingway’s most indelible characters: Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley.

The story follows the flamboyant Brett and the hapless Jake as they journey from 1920s Paris to the brutal bullfighting rings of Spain with a motley group of expatriates. It is set during an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions. The story lays bare themes of alienation and disenchanted youth.

Hemingway's first novel is “an absorbing, beautifully and tenderly absurd, heartbreaking narrative...a truly gripping story, told in lean, hard, athletic prose” (The New York Times).

bad narration

William Hurt is a quality actor but i do not enjoy his efforts as a narrator. I may have given this book 4 stars if not for the narration but i doubt it. I agree this is one of Hemingway's better efforts as an author.

Very entertaining

I had not read this in over 40 years and forgot what a great story it is. I thought William Hurt was an excellent narrator other than not having a good English accent for Brett

Writing okay, stilted narration.

Intellectually I can process that Hemingway was a good writer yet it all seems a little dated and boring to me ...though, it might just be the stilted narration by William Hurt that I didn't care for. He seems so vain that he has to chop up and almost mispronounce things to add his touch.

My first Hemmingway listen

Would you listen to The Sun Also Rises again? Why?

Yes I would listen again, the story was easy to understand if not relatable and since this is my first Hemmingway listen or read, I have no comparision. I was surprised to find his work mundane, but compelling enough to keep listening.

Would you recommend The Sun Also Rises to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, I would recommend this to others as the story was informative about various subjects and lifestyles of a bygone era.

Which character ??? as performed by William Hurt ??? was your favorite?

I don't have a favorite, but the Scottish accent Hurt did for Mike was great!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This book did not have me on the edge of my seat, so I stopped and started as time allowed.

Any additional comments?

I was satisfied to have finally listened to the work of such an acclaimed author as Hemmingway,even if I was a little surprised at how mundane and simplistic his style seemed to me. I supposed nothing can take away from a great story, but if you prefer novels that are a little more wordy and challenging then you might want to pass on this one.

A really nice listening experience

William Hurt’s narration was really pleasing to listen to and he really did a great job of making the characters come alive. The story itself was a bit slow at times but was good overall.