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Death in the Afternoon cover art

Death in the Afternoon

By: Ernest Hemingway
Narrated by: Boyd Gaines
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Summary

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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.; Download the accompanying reference guide.
©1932 Charles Scribner's Sons. Copyright Renewed 1960 Ernest Hemingway. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

What listeners say about Death in the Afternoon

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Unmissable if you have an interest in the subject

I have always loved this book (I have four separate editions of it). If you are interested in the subject it is an essential read, if you are not it will probably bore you. If this book were written about any era it would still be wonderful, but the atmosphere of the 30's makes it even better.

If you enjoy it I would recommend buying the book (as old an edition as possible) for the wonderful photographs that breath life into the main protagonists.

The only downside for me (as is the case so often) is the narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling

Didn’t expect to get very far into a book on bullfighting but it is so well written it draws you in and you quickly view the whole thing sympathetically. Narration is well performed and engaging.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

A textbook not a novel

Very technical about bullfighting no insights into the men involved. More teach yourself bullfighting

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Es stupendo

The narrator brings the book to life. It’s hard to imagine anyone doing any better. More, much more than an historical account, chronicling the history of bullfighting and bullfighters. It demonstrates Hemingway’s love and understanding of Spain and the Spanish.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Seemed to go on forever

Brilliant narration, some fantastic prose, interesting facts but - quite a lot of repetition. Could certainly have been shorter without losing much .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

So much to say and all that was needed to be asked was that, who will write it when the conscious collective of listener's have left this place but the last one.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating listen.

A travel guide to 1930s Spanish Bullfighting shouldn't be that entertaining, but this is wonderful.

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    4 out of 5 stars

I am an expert on bullfighting

Before having read this book, i mistakenly thought it dealt with themes of suicide. this disapointed me. hemingway is relentless in this book. he is very precise and detailed in his description of the sport. A bullfight is a tragedy. you learn so much about fear and the complexity of bullfighting. i have never seen a bullfight and i believe that all forms of cruelty against animals is wrong. however, after having read this book i find myself very curious to witness this sport to better undertstand this book. this book is relentless. you walk away having taken a great deal of knowledge on the sport. i have not detered from my belief that this sport is babaric but i also feel that i cannot judge this sport before witnessing this first hand. only then will i have an honest opinion on the matter.

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