Death in the Afternoon

By: Ernest Hemingway

Narrated by: Boyd Gaines

Ernest Hemingway's classic exploration of the history and pageantry of bullfighting, and the deeper themes of cowardice, bravery, sport and tragedy that it inspires.

Still considered one of the best books ever written about bullfighting, Death in the Afternoon reflects Hemingway's belief that bullfighting was more than mere sport. Here he describes and explains the technical aspects of this dangerous ritual, and "the emotional and spiritual intensity and pure classic beauty that can be produced by a man, an animal, and a piece of scarlet serge draped on a stick." Seen through his eyes, bullfighting becomes an art, a richly choreographed ballet, with performers who range from awkward amateurs to masters of great grace and cunning.

A fascinating look at the history and grandeur of bullfighting, Death in the Afternoon is also a deeper contemplation on the nature of cowardice and bravery, sport and tragedy, and is enlivened throughout by Hemingway's pungent commentary on life and literature.©1932 Charles Scribner's Sons. Copyright Renewed ©1960 Ernest Hemingway. All rights reserved; (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

review for death in the afternoon

I have read it years ago I left it then I left it now it was great

Disappointing

The only well written part of the book is the final chapter in which Hemingway writes of his memories of Spain. Otherwise reads like a poor series of newspaper reports about bull fighting.

blue sky, yellow sand and red blood.

Is Ernest Hemingway the best American writer of the 20th century? No, definitely not. Is he a good one? Absolutely. His style is plain, bold, and honest, albeit somewhat feigned, pretentious, and flat at times. But that's all very natural. How fiercely we fought and drank, how we didn't bond to anyone or anything. Hemingway liked Spain very much, and everything he wrote about that period of his life is just great

Death In The Afternoon

Still a great narrative on the bull fight...but of course...dated--but that is always good because it gives a micro glimpse of Spain in the twenties & thirties...sheer enjoyment....KBK

in depth accounts of bullfighting period.

extremely in-depth view of the bullfights the bullfighters and all the pageantry that went with bullfighting in his time. Even goes into the ranches and farmers and political viewpoints of the time. very long book to talk about the matadors.