Play Audiobook Sample
The Summer He Didn’t Die Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.06) - 312 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Celebrated author Jim Harrison, whose robust, tender, and deeply felt books have made their mark on the American literary landscape, here delivers a collection of three novellas infused with all the wisdom and generous spirit that have made him a master writer.
In the title novella, “The Summer He Didn’t Die,” Brown Dog, a hapless Michigan Indian, is trying to parent his two stepchildren on meager resources; it helps that his charms are irresistible to the new dentist in town.
“Republican Wives” is a riotous satire on the sexual neuroses of the political right and the irrational nature of love—which, when thwarted, can easily turn into an urge to murder.
“Tracking” gives the author’s life story as a tale of the places that have marked it.
With wit as sharp as ever and prose as lush as any Harrison has yet written, The Summer He Didn’t Die is a joyful ode to our journey on this earth.
Download and start listening now!
"This collection of novellas is amazing in their diversity. Republican wives, a down-and-out Native American trying to care for his step children, and a fictionalized autobiographical narrative. My favorite was the last. All show his humor and passion for life. "
— Lauren (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“Harrison’s command of the novella form is as impressive as the range of his voices…this set of short fictions shifts pitch-perfect perspectives effortlessly, with a lightness that belies its depth.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Harrison’s earthy prose, uniquely evocative of place, is economical, precise, and hearty, and is sometimes startling in its ability to touch on core truths.”
— Booklist -
“Touching…Showcases the ability to get inside women’s heads that’s always distinguished Harrison from his muy macho peers…[An] emotionally truthful self-portrait.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Somewhere in that big literary acreage staked out by Thoreau, Hemingway, and Hunter Thompson is a chunk of space for Jim Harrison.”
— Playboy
Awards
-
A 2005 Story Prize for Short Fiction Finalist
The Summer He Didn’t Die Listener Reviews
-
" Terrific writer, takes you there and goes inside. "
— Beth, 11/22/2013 -
" Not the best Jim Harrison I've read, but still a lively book with vivid characters. The title novella is both funny & moving, and "Republican Wives" is a hoot. "
— Dan, 8/14/2013 -
" more short stories. i hadn't read jim harrison before, but this sampling made me want to read more. "
— Saxon, 7/15/2013 -
" I'm not sure how to categorize this book. Novellas? Short stories? I suppose it doesn't matter, because each one is a jewel. Love and loss in the UP, that about sums it up. Harrison is a wonderful writer. "
— Sherry, 12/15/2012 -
" 3 novellas, but I give it 4 stars for the last novella, "Trackings," which is a very fine portrait of Harrison as a writer. "
— Steve, 8/9/2012 -
" Funny, Profound, and a bit crude, but a great read. If you like the other stuff by Harrison you will really enjoy this one. "
— Stephen, 1/17/2012 -
" I like these novellas ok. His writing is raw and randy. You want the characters to get smart, but they never really do. "
— Margaret, 12/7/2011 -
" Interesting novellas with some poignant moments and unique insights. Enjoyed it. "
— David, 11/1/2011 -
" Funny and fun read of American cultures with which I am not familiar, such as Native Americans and pampered Republican wives. "
— Carolyn, 6/17/2011 -
" I really like the way Harrison writes by piecing up together a bunch of anecdotes. From them you can grasp the whole story and draw a broad picture of the events and, specially, of the characters. "
— Daniel, 5/29/2011 -
" This collection of novellas is amazing in their diversity. Republican wives, a down-and-out Native American trying to care for his step children, and a fictionalized autobiographical narrative. My favorite was the last. All show his humor and passion for life. "
— Lauren, 12/1/2010 -
" Rated this as five based on the last novella, "Tracking." "
— Paul, 8/9/2010 -
" Terrific writer, takes you there and goes inside. "
— Beth, 7/9/2010 -
" I reviewed this for the NY Post years ago. Such a good writer; witches effortlessly from tales of disenfranchised Native Americans to bored WASPs in Grosse Point. "
— Dan, 3/8/2010 -
" 3 novellas, but I give it 4 stars for the last novella, "Trackings," which is a very fine portrait of Harrison as a writer. "
— Steve, 2/12/2009 -
" I'm not sure how to categorize this book. Novellas? Short stories? I suppose it doesn't matter, because each one is a jewel. Love and loss in the UP, that about sums it up. Harrison is a wonderful writer. "
— Sherry, 10/29/2008 -
" Not the best Jim Harrison I've read, but still a lively book with vivid characters. The title novella is both funny & moving, and "Republican Wives" is a hoot. "
— Dan, 7/9/2008 -
" Funny and fun read of American cultures with which I am not familiar, such as Native Americans and pampered Republican wives. "
— Carolyn, 6/1/2008 -
" Funny, Profound, and a bit crude, but a great read. If you like the other stuff by Harrison you will really enjoy this one. "
— Stephen, 2/13/2008 -
" I like these novellas ok. His writing is raw and randy. You want the characters to get smart, but they never really do. "
— Margaret, 8/29/2007
About Jim Harrison
Jim Harrison (1937–2016) was the author of over thirty-five books of poetry, nonfiction, and fiction, including Legends of the Fall, The Road Home, The English Major, and The Farmer’s Daughter. His writing appeared in the New Yorker, Esquire, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, and the New York Times. He earned a National Endowment for the Arts grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Spirit of the West Award from the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association. His work has been recognized worldwide and published in twenty-two languages.
About the Narrators
Lloyd James (a.k.a. Sean Pratt) has been a working professional actor in theater, film, television, and voice-overs for more than thirty years. He has narrated over one thousand audiobooks and won numerous Earphones Awards and nominations for the Audie Award and the Voice Arts Award. He holds a BFA degree in acting from Santa Fe University, New Mexico.
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”