Mules and Men

By: Zora Neale Hurston

Narrated by: Ruby Dee

Length: 2 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

In Mules and Men, some of the rich cultural heritage of black America is revealed and preserved. In the 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston returned to her home town of Eatonville, Florida, to collect and record the oral histories, songs, and sermons, many dating back to slavery times, that she remembered hearing as a child. These highly metaphorical folktales, "big old lies", and powerful songs helped her to recover her history, and preserve an important part of American culture.

The unique heritage of African-Americans, presented here with imagination, humor, and wisdom, has tremendous value for students of cultural history, as well as to anyone who loves a good story well told. This recording features Ruby Dee, a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and actress in A Raisin in the Sun on Broadway and Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing.

(P) and ©1992 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Caedmon, An Imprint of Harper Audio, A Division of HarperCollins Publishers

Critic Reviews

"[Ruby Dee's] narration of this seminal collection of black American folklore is nothing short of extraordinary....The stories are a treasure." (AudioFile)

ABRIDGED version

This is not the full book. I bought this audio book for a class I am taking, since my reading load is heavy and I thought an audio book would be a nice change of pace. When I went to do the homework assignment I realized that there were parts of the book I completely missed, so I looked at a hard copy and realized the audio tape cut out almost 1/3 of the book! This would be fine if Audible made it very clear that this is an abridged version. I cannot find a single indication on Audible that this is the abridged version. Is that even legal? I would not have bothered with the audio tape if I had realized it wasn’t the unabridged version. I feel bad for everyone who thinks they’ve read Mules and Men but have only read 2/3 of the book. I’m going to reach out to audible to see if they can post somewhere that it’s abridged. If it’s already posted somewhere they need to make it a lot more obvious.

The Book is Excellent, Ruby Dee is Excellent, But This is Abridged

I am conflicted by this audiobook. I loved reading the book. I love the work of Zora Neale Hurston. And as far as it goes, Ruby Dee is excellent in this audiobook.

However the audiobook is abridged. I have been reading the actual book. Thee is much that is missing from this audiobook. While enjoyable, there is too much missing. I do not recall being advised of this when I purchased the audiobook. Thank You...

I laughed and reminsced.

Would you listen to Mules and Men again? Why?

I'd listen to it again in order to remember some of those "lies".

Which scene was your favorite?

The origin of the word "um hmm."

Who was the most memorable character of Mules and Men and why?

Zora

Any additional comments?

Wish my father was alive to listen with me.

Great book!

Well worth the listen Ruby Dee is amazing and the stories are an insightful and delightful look into African American culture. Read/hear more of Zora Hurston's writing. You'll learn something new every time.

Great loved it.

I thought it was beautifully written and Ruby Dee Rest in Peace was the best choice for this narrative.

my goodnesd

I could listen to this over and over again. The stories, the narrator, all great. I loved it.

New and Familiar

This was a view into a world I heard about and grew up with certain stories and traditions, but this book depicts a time when even my grandfather was a kid. I wanted to know more about our history, our traditions, our stories and this was a great add. I loved the last chapter that told of Turner who was around when Marie LaVeau was around and Zora was taught rites from her time and from Turner. I miss the mighty Mississippi river and I miss the states of Louisiana and Mississippi and the magic of both places. The duality of men to be of two worlds.

fantastic

I enjoyed this book so much, I have to listen to it again and again

Loved It

Awesome book and Narration by Ruby Dee! So much information to digest. It is certainly educational in many ways. Historical and Spiritual. I'd definitely recommend it for a persons library

Very entertaining ! I highly recommend this book.

Excellent narration!
The stories were very funny and reminded me of family get togethers in the old days.