• The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

  • By: Carson McCullers
  • Narrated by: Cherry Jones
  • Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,982 ratings)

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The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter  By  cover art

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

By: Carson McCullers
Narrated by: Cherry Jones
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Publisher's summary

Carson McCullers was all of 23 when she published her first novel, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. She became an overnight literary sensation, and soon such authors as Tennessee Williams were calling her "the greatest prose writer that the South [has] produced." The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter tells an unforgettable tale of moral isolation in a small southern mill town in the 1930s.

Richard Wright was astonished by McCullers's ability "to rise above the pressures of her environment and embrace white and black humanity in one sweep of apprehension and tenderness." Hers is a humanity that touches all who come to her work, whether for the first time or, as so many do, time and time again. The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is Carson McCullers at her most compassionate, most enduring best.

©1940, 1967 Carson Smith McCullers (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Finalist, Classics, 2005

"A remarkable book...[McCullers writes] with a sweep and certainty that are overwhelming." (The New York Times)

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What listeners say about The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

For lovers of great literature

The critics say this is a great work of literature, so I suppose it must be true. Based on the many user reviews of this book, it must have great appeal to those who appreciate great literature. Perhaps I might have loved this book, too, if I had been able to stick with it long enough, but after 22 minutes, the story failed to capture my interest or my imagination. When I realized my attention had wandered so far that I found watching the birds squabbling at the birdfeeder more entertaining than this story, I gave it up.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Americana

This story is a classic and a wonderful and insightful heartfelt character study of small town Americana that is both touching and quant. The narration is beautifully done. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Cherry Jones

She is fabulous and she enhances an already amazing story! Thanks for your many voices

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

I loved it in high school and it’s still quite good.

I read this in high school 50 years ago and thought it profound and life-changing. Its treatment of race and class was still illuminating today. Here is a book published in 1940 that feels timely 80 years later. McCullers knew well the angst and in/betweenness of middle school aged Mick. Jones’s performance is good. All in all, a good read, but not quite up to my high school memory of it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed this!

The only negative I have is that it ended too abruptly! Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Heart felt

Where does The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm afraid it was my first full book listen, and it was well worth it!

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are well explored and rather amazing in their sadness

Which scene was your favorite?

The kids going off to the picnic

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yup whenever Singer went to visit his friend. He made such a fine effort to make his friend feel loved!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Literary nutrition.

The descriptions contained in this reading is just amazing. What a gifted writer and view into the life of another.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great intro to Southern Gothic lit.

McCullers is able to fit the misfit into text. This is what Georgia feels like to me. This is a true monument of the South. Grit not glory.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Made me want to chat with John Singer

Would you listen to The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter again? Why?

Yes, the language was beautiful and the characters were intriguing. There were many layers to think about.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter?

Mick Kelly on the roof top.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book made me thoughtful about relationships and the fact that we all so much want to be 'seen' or 'heard' (as Mick Kelly, Jake Blount, Dr. Copeland and Biff Brannon wanted from John Singer and he wanted in turn from his friend).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully written and performed

As you listen, remember that the author wrote this around 1940 having grown up in small town Georgia (Columbus, Georgia) when she was only 23! Her her insight into national and world events and human emotions is astounding, especially in light of her age and the fact that it was written by a small town Caucasian in 1940, rather than 1970. .

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