To Have and Have Not

De: Ernest Hemingway

Narrado por: Will Patton

From one of the best writers in American literature, a classic novel about smuggling, intrigue, and love.

To Have and Have Not is the dramatic story of Harry Morgan, an honest man who is forced into running contraband between Cuba and Key West as a means of keeping his crumbling family financially afloat. His adventures lead him into the world of the wealthy and dissipated yachtsmen who throng the region and involve him in a strange and unlikely love affair.

In this harshly realistic, yet oddly tender and wise novel, Hemingway perceptively delineates the personal struggles of both the "haves" and the "have nots" and creates one of the most subtle and moving portraits of a love affair in his oeuvre. By turns funny and tragic, lively and poetic, remarkable in its emotional impact, To Have and Have Not is literary high adventure at its finest.

Nostalgic read.

We just saw the movie and recently visited Key West where we toured Hemingway's home. "To Have and Have Not" was discussed during the tour so we thought we would reread (hear) a book we read in high school. Great listen -- colorful characters and a visit to history we have long forgotten. A little uncomfortable at the beginning with descriptions of African-Americans and terms we do not hear today.
Recommend this highly.

Female characters two dimensional

There is no doubt that Hemingway is one of the great writers of the 20th century. However his female characters are almost exclusively 2 dimensional. They are either scheming climbers or worshippers of their man. I suspect Hemingway is a bit of a misogynist.

Realism

Not at his best but not his worst. If your into the keys and the ocean and Cuba, give it a try.

My first read of Hemingway

A snapshot of how we pass through life with a glancing touch to those that surround us. Everyone was deeply entrenched in their own take on life. The rich and poor, all having a feeling of having no real control over their circumstances. Each trying to cope the best way they knew how.

Written 90 years ago, it displays the truth that life never really changes, just the players and the roles they are tossed into.

Rambling Ernest at his best

No doubt Ernest Hemingway looked at life in a clear plain way. This story gets you inside the heads of many characters. Not really going anywhere, in no particular order, is the beauty of it. Simplicity and clarity of voice is the trademark, and what makes this another great listen from the man himself.