Men Without Women

By: Ernest Hemingway

Narrated by: Stacy Keach

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

First published in 1927, Men Without Women represents some of Hemingway's most important and compelling early writing. In these 14 stories, Hemingway begins to examine the themes that would occupy his later works: the casualties of war, the often uneasy relationship between men and women, sport and sportsmanship.

In "Banal Story", Hemingway offers a lasting tribute to the famed matador Maera. "In Another Country" tells of an Italian major recovering from war wounds as he mourns the untimely death of his wife. "The Killers" is the hard-edged story about two Chicago gunmen and their potential victim. Nick Adams makes an appearance in "Ten Indians," in which he is presumably betrayed by his Indian girlfriend, Prudence. And "Hills Like White Elephants" is a young couple's subtle, heartwrenching discussion of abortion. Pared down, gritty, and subtly expressive, these stories show the young Hemingway emerging as America's finest short story writer.

(P)2008 Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Avoid this pointless drivel

I loved Old man and the sea and decided to get this book. I was bitterly disappointed. Do not waist your time.

I liked it

it never really grabbed me and made me want to listen, but it had some nice stories. it was a good listen.

Outdated but not in a charming way

narration is flat. the short stories I did fully comprehend I did like. but one or two were just confusing. the bull fighting and boxing ones were quite entertaining. Hemmingway is at his best when he does story like those. but hills like white elephants was very disappointing and yes I understood what it was about. it needed more backstory like most of them to give the reader the full emotional effect. also the one about the roman soldiers made me angry. why were they speaking like the gangster in the previous story. but overall I was the portrayal of native and African Americans that soured my feeling on this collection of tales. they are a snapshot in time and we have progressed societally to much. its best not to use this as your time machine.

loved the ending

beautiful athletic masculine prose as usual for Hemingway. very well read, too. loved it.

I like this

I like the recording, it reveals the craft of the writer and the depth of the human voice in a time when men had begun to reflect on the problem of men without women I guess. Ambivalence? I think anyone interested in the art of being a chronicler of your place and time could fine this stuff either enjoyable or helpful.

A collection of excellent shorts

Excellent early Hemingway. Very approachable & good for a quick trips as you can bang out a little story here & there

Excellent maturation

Such realistic short stories from north America. Touching tales of human interactions, and conversions with no topics barred!

overall an educational read

it was good, just maybe not my usual. it was educational from the point of view that it was all about men. short stories all regarding men and their roles.

Great and varied collection

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would because each story is interesting, short and sweet. Does not get dull or boring, if you find that the particular story does not suit you its not long before the next one starts.

Which character – as performed by Stacy Keach – was your favourite?

Think this is my first and she did a great job narrating the stories. Would absolutely pick up more books with her as the voice

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Think it would be more of a sketch film and even at that I think it would be fairly hard to make it into something good.

Any additional comments?

Really liked the bullfighting one, think it was the first. Really set the tone and gave a hint of what was to come. The concept is very interesting and there is no shortage of things men does for women. Not to mention what men with out women does to get women. Really liked the one about the boxer as well, really emotional and give a lot of depth to a character in a very short amount of time!

Masculine Prose.

A wonderful collection of short stories! I listened to it while working at my desk, it is an interesting companion to dull and dreary working hours. There are many interesting and varied stories and if you like Hemingway's narratives, and you're like me, you will want to listen to them again and again.