Men Die
by H. L. Humes
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Description
Just before World War II, Lieutenant Everett Sulgrave is stationed at a Navy ammunitions base in the Caribbean, along with Commander Hake--an anguished, intimidating leader nicknamed "Admiral God"--and Hake's right-hand man, the enigmatic Lieutenant Dolfus. Dolfus has dark premonitions that soon come true when a massive explosion destroys the island. Sulgrave and five black enlistees with scores to settle are the only survivors. Now Sulgrave must contend with his memories and his reality, show more with the aftermath of the tragedy and the beginning of his volatile affair with Hake's widow, and with his disturbing past and the abyss that is his future. Infused with intrigue, symbolism, and mounting drama, Men Die, back in print after more than forty years, showcases H. L. Humes's astounding versatility, proving itself a timelessly intense and exciting read. Praise for Men Die "Humes's novel is tersely and convincingly composed, and while it echoes other works [it] never seems derivative, the result perhaps of its powerfully made scenes . . . and the essentially clear and direct nature of Humes's prose."--Alan Cheuse, from the Introduction "Clean writing, crisp description . . . Every page of Men Die implies an underlying sense of doom for mankind; yet every page is also immensely readable."--Time "Hume [was] sublimely confident and alarmingly talented."--The New York Times "[An] achievement of dazzling virtuosity."--Partisan Review show lessTags
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Member Reviews
At its core a fairly unremarkable work. Not necessarily poor, just that the characters and themes are fairly stereotypical of other entries in the '50s absurdities of war genre.
When it comes to the style, with its temporally fragmented narrative and constantly shifting viewpoints, Humes' reach quickly exceeds his grasp, as some sections simply do not work.
When it comes to the style, with its temporally fragmented narrative and constantly shifting viewpoints, Humes' reach quickly exceeds his grasp, as some sections simply do not work.
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National Book Award Finalists - Fiction
377 works; 12 members
Author Information
2 Works 98 Members
Awards and Honors
Awards
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Men Die
- Original publication date
- 1959
- Epigraph
- "… And if the Captain ask you,
Tell him I'm going.
Tell him I'm gone.
If he ask you was I laughing,
Tell him I was crying'.
Tell him I'm gone…"
Leadbelly - Dedication
- For ALH
Empress of All My Country
& for K & JNB
Who Cheered Her Musicians - First words
- When the blast finally came it came foreseen, like the end of the world.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)He remembered watching it and holding his breath so as not to fog the cold plastic window, watching until even the spot where the statue stood was lost in hazy reflection of morning sun and sea.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 31
- Popularity
- 900,527
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.42)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 1
