Winesburg, Ohio

By: Sherwood Anderson

Narrated by: Flo Gibson

Considered to be Anderson's masterpiece, this series of short stories with recurring characters depicts the joys of love, the pains of loss and the prejudices and secrets of a small town as seen through the eyes of its inhabitants. The main character, George Willard, is said to resemble the author in many ways.

©1999 Audio book Contractors, LLC (P)2014 Audio Book Contractors, LLC

Winesburg, Ohio

A book that looks at the interior lives of characters versus the events. The author explores and displays some unusual personalities with a small town as the backdrop. It kept my interest and is well-done. However, it is not my list to re-read.

Small Town America Passions and Fears

This is a very modern feeling read for a book published in 1919 . The prose are clear and frank exposing a few quintessentially small town American characters through their inner passions and fears in many tightly coupled short stories. There is very little story or action, but growing and changing characters dealing with life, sexuality, loneliness, expectations, and fears inherent in small town American life. I laughed many times, but did not come close to crying, although there is a darkness in many of the stories.

The audio is excellent, with a clear, non-judgmental forthrightness narration, that adds to the subtle dark humor of the stories.

Great Classic Book, Reader Might Detract You

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. I love the book.

What other book might you compare Winesburg, Ohio to and why?

Nick Adams Stories by Ernest Hemingway

Would you be willing to try another one of Flo Gibson’s performances?

Yes, but it would depend on the book and subject matter. For me the reader makes the book feel older and less relevant to myself although others may enjoy the classic feeling his voice evokes.

Do you think Winesburg, Ohio needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.