A Man in Full

Why aren’t there more Tom Wolfe books on Audible? He’s such an amazing writer. No one observes the subtle battlegrounds of human interaction better than he. Whether it's Charley Coker in a **** measuring contest with his banker in A Man In Full or Charlotte Simmons deciding to "go all the way" in I Am Charlotte Simmons, I'm always struck by how Wolfe can see the subtle chess moves in our day to day human transactions.

And yet, I’m dissatisfied and Wolfe’s prodigious talent is one reason I am. When I finished the book, my first impression was that it felt truncated, as though pieces were missing. I checked at Audible.com and, sure enough, the book was abridged. Why is a writer this remarkable and celebrated being abridged? I would have gladly spent the time to listen to the entire book. It’s just wrong to tamper with an author’s work.

I have to agree with everyone on this forum who said that David Ogden Stiers did a world class job on the narration. Apparently this was the first book he ever did. Let’s hope he does many, many more. Right now, he’s right up there with Patrick Tull who narrates Patrick O’Brian’s fabulous Master And Commander series.

A wonderful book, but please, please release it in an unabridged form.

On top of an original and well written story, I was particularly amazed by how well the narrator did his job: the man is an ARTIST. What other books has he read??? Can't find any other title in the Audible.com database but I sure would like to listen more of his work regardless of the book title.

The point is to buy and then listen to the entire book. Be sure to look for the unabridged version if it's even available. I had read "A Man in Full" when it came out. My wife had never read any of Wolfe's work. We were off on a holiday drive and thought it'd be great entertainment. There is an entire piece of the intertwined story missing! As well as some other details and insights that I definitely missed. I have lived in Atlanta and actually met the author at a cocktail party. I guess I feel like some of the value of the work is diminished. Yes, Wolfe may at times be a bit wordy in his narratives but that's also part of the charm of his observations. We enjoyed Ogden-Stiers in his reading. He is tougher to listen to in the female characters' voice though. Overall, a story that has much that is dead-on regarding Atlanta and in greater measure the types of people in this city and elsewhere. "Man" would have been a good movie if cast properly. I assume The Bonfire of the Vanities film disaster may have scared Hollywood away. Good, but leaves you a bit empty.

Great Tale! And the reader's Southern accents for the different characters is delightful. Even though this is abridged, the story stays together. It just made me want to buy the unabridged version next. Tom Wolfe has an uncanny way of connecting the most farfetched events and saving his characters in a perfectly reasonable but unexpected way from impossible predicaments.

This book, which I had read and thus knew already, was an extremely enjoyable listen. The reading by David Ogden Stiers was extraordinary, and did full justice to a unique story and the characters therein.

Wonderful!

David Ogden Stiers is such a great reader that you really feel you belong to the story. Don't miss that one. I chose this title because of other listeners' comments. Don't believe the hype, only trust audible personal reviews! Most excellent listening!

I found myself looking for ANY readings by Mr. Stiers, even if they were from "Better Homes and Gardens." Fine characterizations and a very comfortable voice to listen to. More evocative than a movie.
It didn't hurt that the novel is masterfully written.

Tom Wolfe loves to find a man at the top of his game and show us once
again thathubris and egocentricitiy can bring anyone down. Often,
however, there is a form ofrebirth, with a glimmer of hope that all was for the best. During the journey we meet interesting characters and unusual situations. He is a master of bringing together multiple subplots. I had originally read a Man in Full unabridged. As it had been awhile I purchased this abridged audio version. The contraction was well done. The narration was superb.While being very entertaining, the listener also learns much
about a unique major American City.

I've read the book, so I'll agree with the five stars. Just wanted to chime in that, if I'm not mistaken, the narrator who so impressed the other reviewer was an actor on M.A.S.H. (the TV show, not the movie).

This book was a disappointment to me. I had not read Tom Wolfe in several decades, and had forgotten how he never writes a sentence when he can say the same thing in two paragraphs. I enjoyed the basic story, but it was way too wordy, and the ending was depressing. I enjoy Epictetus, but there was really very little of him in this book, and way too much Tom Wolfe.