Love Hemingway, Patton not so much

while I applaud the notion behind getting "name" actors to honor Hemingway by narrating his works, there is a problem that arises too often: good actors are not automatically good narrators. not only did i tire quickly of Patton's breathy whisper which he applies to almost every facet of this novel, it is so passive that it is completely wrong for the prose style and the action. the temperament of the characters, Morgan especially, all seem to blend together into boredom. there is little emotion in any speech, and the poetry in narrative passages is lost into a big homogenous sameness. there are moments when Patton gets more into it, some passages near the end stand out as his better moments of narration, but on the whole the vigor is missing. I felt very much the same way with Hurt's work on Sun Also Rises; it's as though they feel that to give this important writer proper reading they must add gravity to the prose by speaking slowly and quietly. the crispness and vitality of the prose doesn't need their improvement, it just needs a proper reading. again i find myself thinking back to Adams narrations from Books on Tape, I don't remember ever feeling like he was bored with the project; nice to have variation in theory, but give me his vitality. (Campbell Scott is much the same way as Hurt and Patton, and let's not start on Sutherland)

14 people found this helpful

A Good Reading of a Bleak Novel

To Have and Have Not is a difficult book to love, despite this well-handled reading of the text. The story is bleak, violent and pessimistic in tone, set as it is during the Great Depression, and leaves little room for hope to redeem its bleakness. The novel also jumps between points of views and characters instead of sticking with one narrator or protagonist. This creates a novel with less unity, though Hemingway's intent seems to be to give readers a look at both the wealthy and the poor and the troubles endured by both. However, this omniscient point of view is less popular with modern readers and many will interpret these passages as digressions. Hemingway himself is said to have regarded it as his least successful novel. Still, it is an eye-opening look into a now half-forgotten era.

14 people found this helpful

Not Humphrey Bogart ...

I was curious to read the novel with the same name as the Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall movie. Mostly, I'm disappointed, but probably because of my uninformed expectations. About the only elements the book and movie have in common are a few of the characters and small-boat sailing of the Caribbean. The movie changed the setting (both time and place) and provided a much different story arc.
Hemingway wrote this book as a series of vignettes around the "protagonist," Harry Morgan. Harry's antagonist is Fate. And he looses. Harry is a skilled sailor in the 1930's operating a small boat between Key West and Cuba. As times grow harder and Fate contrives against him, he is forced to take less savory jobs to support his wife and daughters in Key West. (Yep, no slim blond girl to fall in love with. Sorry Lauren Bacall.) He personifies the "Have Not" regular guy.
Threads of other characters shape the "Have" side of the title. People who are more well-to-do, but with less courage and morality than Harry. These characters display pitiful traits and feel sorry for themselves. They provide the social dichotomy that seems the point of the book.
Hemingway's story is very much a product of his time (the Depression) and probably his own experiences in the Spanish civil war. It is gritty, unsparing details of injury and pain. As Harry's narrator, Hemingway uses racist labels freely, but in a weird way does not act bigoted. The best parts of the writing were the loving details given to the waters between Cuba and the Keys, and the fishing and boating.
Noteworthy narration: Will Patton's performance was very, very good. Accents, tone, pacing, and intensity ... He truly made this audible book worth listening to.

6 people found this helpful

Move Over Dostoyevsky, You Have a Comrade:

Your New Comrade Though Just Writes a Little More to the Point.

Where have I been? I have read at least six Hemingway novels, and not until “To Have and Have Not” did I ever consider him an existentialist. Harry Morgan suffers through his Hemingway given chores (Morgan’s thoughts and actions in carrying out the story) being totally disorientated by all the absurd and harmful threats the world throws at him. Yet, in an unrelentingly vicious manner he reacts and responds. It is those four or five episodes of Harry Morgan’s venal acts – he will do anything to servive and to provide for his Depression suffering family - that make this novel a bewildering but memorable tale. And yes, there is the Hemingway style of writing. Simplistically poignant.

6 people found this helpful

Rambling Ernest at his best

No doubt Ernest Hemingway looked at life in a clear plain way. This story gets you inside the heads of many characters. Not really going anywhere, in no particular order, is the beauty of it. Simplicity and clarity of voice is the trademark, and what makes this another great listen from the man himself.

4 people found this helpful

Nostalgic read.

We just saw the movie and recently visited Key West where we toured Hemingway's home. "To Have and Have Not" was discussed during the tour so we thought we would reread (hear) a book we read in high school. Great listen -- colorful characters and a visit to history we have long forgotten. A little uncomfortable at the beginning with descriptions of African-Americans and terms we do not hear today.
Recommend this highly.

13 people found this helpful

Moving story, great narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of To Have and Have Not to be better than the print version?

Yes

What was one of the most memorable moments of To Have and Have Not?

I was moved when Hemingway had multiple people, that were unrelated to the main characters in the story, expose their nightly bedtime thoughts, worries, and general perceptions. It's good to be pulled up from a story you are so embedded in and reminded that life is going on around your primary characters.

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Will Patton does an excellent job with accents and inflections in just the right places. Hemingway's sentences can get pretty long and descriptive, but Patton never misses a beat.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Harry Morgan is trying his hardest to get his last, dying words out. And when he finally does, the crew around him thinks it jibberish, but you as the reader, with an inside view, know the truth.

3 people found this helpful

Wonderful!'

What made the experience of listening to To Have and Have Not the most enjoyable?

Will Patton did such an amazing job! He had the characters perfectly!

What did you like best about this story?

Of course Hemingways style. He wrote so descriptively. You feel as if you are there!

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was able to give each character a distinct personality.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

A must listen!!!!

2 people found this helpful

Good Read

Enjoyed this very much...easy to listen and follow. Wonderfully read and awesome story line by fabulous writer.

2 people found this helpful

Good story, Good reading

Would you consider the audio edition of To Have and Have Not to be better than the print version?

i never read the print version

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

it is thought provoking.

Any additional comments?

Good sound recording. Good Narration and story telling.

1 person found this helpful