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Brokeback Mountain Audiobook
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(3.16) - 25 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Annie Proulx has written some of the most original and brilliant short stories in contemporary literature, and for many, Brokeback Mountain is her masterpiece.
Ennis del Mar and Jack Twist, two ranch hands, come together when they're working as sheep herder and camp tender one summer on a range above the tree line. At first, sharing an isolated tent, the attraction is casual, inevitable, but something deeper catches them that summer.
Both men work hard, marry, have kids because that's what cowboys do. But over the course of many years and frequent separations this relationship becomes the most important thing in their lives, and they do anything they can to preserve it.
Brokeback Mountain was originally published in the New Yorker -- it won the National Magazine Award and was included in the O. Henry Stories 1998. In gorgeous and haunting prose Proulx limns the difficult, dangerous affair between two cowboys that survives everything but the world's violent intolerance.
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"Okay so I hated the film and never finished it. But After picking up this book (because I wanted to make myself believe that I can read a book despite my busy schedule... tsk tsk small book) I was amazed at the beautiful prose. The story is extremely haunted and left me feeling hollow. "
— Hashimali (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Proulx’s understanding is at its most remarkable in the astonishing Brokeback Mountain. [She] knows what she could only know...by the infrared that allows a very few writers clear sight in the dark of the imagination.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Brokeback Mountain does some of the best things a story can do. It abolishes the old West clichés, excavates and honors a certain kind of elusive life, then nearly levels you with the emotional weight at its center.”
— Boston Sunday Globe -
“This heartbreaking love story is as profound as it is relentlessly unsentimental...The genius of the story lies in its edgy dialogue and Proulx’s depiction of a simple truth—powerlessness. It is her best work.”
— Irish Times -
“Sexy, sad, and powerful, this is a beautiful, mesmerising tale.”
— Elle -
“Campbell Scott’s clear reading puts Proulx’s beautiful and harsh language front and center...It’s a timeless story that stands up to repeated listening and will stay with listeners long after they’ve finished the hour-long CD.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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Winner of the National Magazine Award in 1998
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A USA Today bestseller
Brokeback Mountain Listener Reviews
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Jackie, 5/11/2021
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" I liked the book, but I read it after seeing the movie. The book followed the movie pretty closely, except for a few things near the end. All in all, good and a tearjerker. "
— Nancy, 6/16/2011 -
" Terrible writing style, the plot twist comes way too fast and is handled without any grace. Not very good. "
— Christina, 6/13/2011 -
" One of the most talked about short stories I have ever read. Powerful, is an understatement, this story left me in tears...really pulls at the heartstrings, and forces us to think about the world in which we live, and the true meaning of love. "
— J., 6/13/2011 -
" The movie was too long, the book was too short. "
— Di, 5/30/2011 -
" A great and terrible story that stays with you.<br/>It's also a masterclass in the art of the short story--who else could do this so well? "
— Valerie, 5/19/2011 -
" Short story = quick read.<br/><br/>I wanted to know if the short story was as beautiful as the movie. Well, it's not. The writing style is quite rude, the dialogues fell flat for me, same thing for the characters. Ang Lee really did a great job, and turned this into a masterpiece. "
— Mika, 5/8/2011 -
" I guess I just don't get all the buzz about this story. It doesn't seem groundbreaking, I think the slang is rough and it's more than a little depressing. "
— Ivan, 5/5/2011 -
" Loved this 20 something page short story and how detailed it was. Suffice to say, the creators of the resulting movie didn't have to put much filler plotline in. It's wonderful. "
— Maggie, 4/26/2011 -
" Never thought it would happen in any genre. But for Brokeback, the movie was waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy better than the book. "
— Chad, 4/17/2011 -
" I don't have much to say about this piece; I've read it before, I saw the movie and enjoyed both. I think the movie portrayed the relationship between Ennis and Jack in a much clearer and more vibrant light where the short story I felt was a little rushed. "
— Brandy, 4/6/2011 -
" Well, I admire Ang Lee and his scriptwriters that they actually managed to make a decent movie out of this... "
— Wolfje, 4/5/2011
About Annie Proulx
Annie Proulx is the author of eight books, including the novel The Shipping News and the story collection Close Range. Her many honors include a Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award, the Irish Times International Fiction Prize, and a PEN/Faulkner Award. Her short story “Brokeback Mountain,” which originally appeared in the New Yorker, was made into an Academy Award–winning film starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. Proulx currently lives in Wyoming.
About Campbell Scott
Campbell Scott has, in addition to his numerous stage and film credits, narrated more than forty audiobooks, including This Boy’s Life and Into Thin Air, and won seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.