That Room

By: Tobias Wolff

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

In this short story by the masterful Tobias Wolff, a teenage boy learns the joys - and struggles - of adult life.

Eager for independence and adult-like freedom, a teenage boy takes a summer job baling hay on a rural farm. Savoring the farm wife’s attention and the extra change in his pocket, the boy feels like a grown man. The fellow hands give him a sense of camaraderie - Clemson, a fastidious boy who attends the same high school; Eduardo, a talkative Mexican seasonal worker; and Miguel, a quiet man and Eduardo’s brother.

One night, after working the fields from dawn until dusk, Clemson and the boy drop the two brothers off at the decrepit hotel they live at during the summers. Eduardo invites the men in for a drink and they all accept. But the room is filthy and reeking of mildew, and as angry words lead to dangerous actions, the boy must face the reality of his situation.

©2008 Tobias Wolff (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

That room

So far I am not enjoying this group of stories. I really think they should be longer.

Bildungsroman

Farm life experienced for the first time by the story teller is recounted as a good tale.

Wow

Love how the author makes you almost physically feel the theme he is Writing about. It always blows my mind that is that he can write in such different styles!

Not for me

I know it was only a short ten minute story, I had a difficult time getting into it. This story just did not seem to captivate my interest.

Great Narrator - Stupid Story

I truly enjoy listening to anything Anthony Heald narrates. The story is totally dumb.