The Sun Also Rises

By: Ernest Hemingway, Colm Toibin

Narrated by: William Hurt

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Originally published in 1926, The Sun Also Rises is Ernest Hemingway’s first novel and a classic example of his spare but powerful writing style.​

A poignant look at the disillusionment and angst of the post-World War I generation, the novel introduces two of Hemingway’s most unforgettable characters: Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley. The story follows the flamboyant Brett and the hapless Jake as they journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the brutal bullfighting rings of Spain with a motley group of expatriates. In his first great literary masterpiece, Hemingway portrays an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions.

Who's your papa? Listen to more from Ernest Hemingway.

©1926 Charles Scribner's Sons. Copyright renewed 1954 Ernest Hemingway. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form (P)2006 Simon and Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon and Schuster Audio Division, Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

2007 Audie Award Finalist for Classics

"An absorbing, beautifully and tenderly absurd, heart-breaking narrative....It is a truly gripping story, told in lean, hard athletic prose...magnificent." (The New York Times)

“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)

Hemingway at his best.

This is in my opinion Hemingway’s best work. The narration by William Hurt is first rate - he really nails all of the characters and the mood, texture and essence of the story. A really great audiobook experience.

Good version

Good version of this story. Great actor reading. Glad I purchased this. Wish he would have read more of his stories.

One of the greatest American Novels

Gets better each time I read or listen. Hurt is a wonderful reader giving feeling to all the characters including the women.

One of the best ever

My favorite book by, arguably, America’s greatest writer. Not only do I feel like I’m there, I feel like I want to be there. And William Hurt nailed it.

Persevere

I did not like the characters initially but eventually came to love this book. Especially after the fishing trip. Hurt was excellent.

Hurt brings me back time after time.

I don’t think more needs to be said about Hemingways brilliance but I do think Hurt is getting a raw deal be a lot of listeners. I’ve listened to this book probably a dozen times and that’s only because I enjoy his narration so much. His “dryness” reminds me of how I talk to myself in my head and seeing as Barnes is constantly in his own head I think it’s fitting. He brings depth to each and every character. I don’t want to listen to anyone else read me this book.

Interesting after some time

I am a slow interpreter of books lol. But after a while once I understood the concept of the book it’s meaning was deep and interesting about a lost generation. It’s descriptions of drinking and having time to enjoy travel was cool escapism. Solid and I’m glad I read it.

I enjoyed this

Haven’t read Hemingway in years but always liked his work. William Hurt gives a very good performance. Not too long. I recommend it.

My Favorite Book AND Listen

The Sun Also Rises is my all-time favorite book and I absolutely love the performance by William Hurt. This is about the writing and I’ve seen many reviews discrediting the story because they don’t enjoy the plot. The plot is simple, and shows the intertwining relationships of expats in Paris in the 1920’s. These friends take a trip to Pamplona and the makings of a drink-fueled bender ensue. What was true 100 years ago is still true today. I love the book because I love traveling with my friends, drinking happily, and absolutely incredible writing.

You might love this book. You might hate it. It might be middle of the road. But, it’s my favorite. I’ve read it over a dozen times and listened to it even more. Enjoy!

William Hurt captures 'The Lost Generation'

I have been a long-time Audible customer (and before that, Books on Tape . . . ). I have never written a review before, but was prompted to do so by the many scathing reviews of William Hurt's narration of this title. Let me just say, I strongly dissent -- and I say that as someone who is not a particular fan of Mr. Hurt as an actor. This book is, at its heart, a vivid portrait of "The Lost Generation," devastated by The Great War; disillusioned by the United States they found at home after the war; and now broken and adrift in a fog of alcohol as they wander about Europe. To my ears, Mr. Hurt's narration captures this morally exhausted mindset perfectly. He sounds world-weary, benumbed by all that has happened to him and his friends. Indeed, he seems exactly like I would expect Jake Barnes to sound if he were sitting across the bar at 2 AM, many empty bottles of wine sitting between us, as he tells me the story of his adventures with Lady Brett Ashley and the rest of his hard drinking, hard living crew. For anyone who admires this classic novel -- or who wants to experience it as I suspect Hemingway would have intended -- I highly recommend this audible version. And kudos to Mr. Hurt for truly bringing this tragic story to life in a way the mere reading the book never did for me.