Death in the Afternoon

Hemingway's passion for bullfighting is perfectly mirrored in the strong narration of Boyd Gaines. The author's portrait of the men who step into coliseums filled with cheering fans to face possible injury and death may seem a bit dated, but Gaines delivers all the intricacies of the sport with the immediacy of a season that had just ended. Fans of the great writer will find the writing style and vivid imagery deftly delivered. The author is obviously impressed with men facing death, and Gaines does a wonderful job of creating drama and tension as the conflict of man versus animal plays out to its ultimate conclusion. R.O. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine