Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Paul's Case  By  cover art

Paul's Case

By: Willa Cather
Narrated by: Walter Zimmerman
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $4.95

Buy for $4.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial reviews

Author Willa Cather is one of America's most beloved writers of the 20th century. Her literary career was jumpstarted when McClure published her short story, "Paul's Case". Now Audible members can listen to this wonderful short story in audio, narrated by the accomplished Walter Covell. Covell's voice is soothing and measured, demanding your full attention. This 45-minute audio tells of a young artist who has to figure out what he is and isn't willing to compromise in order to survive. This is a short American classic and a great addition to your Audible library!

Publisher's summary

"Paul's Case" was first published in 1905 in Willa Cather's first story collection, The Troll Garden, which began her literary career. When the story was printed in McClure's magazine in May of the same year, it brought Cather to national attention. In 1920 the story was reprinted by Alfred Knopf in Youth and the Bright Medusa. "Paul's Case" examines the dangers of art and the struggles of youthful artists in a commercial world.
©1982 Jimcin Recordings (P)1982 Jimcin Recordings

What listeners say about Paul's Case

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    17
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sad and beautiful, ahead of its time!

Wow, this was Willa Cather's first published piece? I'm amazed and impressed! Her prose is lovely and descriptive. I feel as though I was really there. She truly was a brilliant writer! The hauntingly realistic characters remind me of Henry James' writing.
The performance... was strange. This must have been recorded decades ago, for two reasons: First, the reader has the affected accent of times past. That having been said, it does fit the upper-class American setting of the story. Second, the recording quality is crazy bad. At times he sounds like he's recording this in a bathroom, and at others in a closet, or under a blanket. Still other times it sounds like someone held a microphone to the speaker of their RCA Victor radio and recorded it.
However by the end of the story I found myself so compelled by the writing that the auditory distractions were no longer an issue.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration

This was my first audible book.
Very well narrated. There was a section of editing that was not seamless. But still good overall.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

I was reading the book along with listening..

The person narrating skipped sentences throughout the book. The audio quality wasn't consistent and was very blocky at certain points. The book was ok. Only needed it for school.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!