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Men Die
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, 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
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
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 18, 2020
Ending satisfying as if you just watched a good movie. The only flaw seems to be Vanna's stream-of-conciousness inner-ish monologue which really isn't a big problem to work thru. It may even present a quality challenge for you. The female characters are a bit archetypical, but interesting nevertheless.
BUT, right in the middle is my favorite part. Pgs 90-91 when the inner workings of the mind of Commander Hake are revealed with some powerful statements:
"There is nothing mystical about prophecy. It is a rational science. But it must be obscured from common eyes because knowledge of the future is dangerous knowledge in the hands of brutes...
I don't believe in prophecy, per se. What I do say is that the laws of history are probably understandable to those who are adept in the reading of hidden knowledge."
BUT, right in the middle is my favorite part. Pgs 90-91 when the inner workings of the mind of Commander Hake are revealed with some powerful statements:
"There is nothing mystical about prophecy. It is a rational science. But it must be obscured from common eyes because knowledge of the future is dangerous knowledge in the hands of brutes...
I don't believe in prophecy, per se. What I do say is that the laws of history are probably understandable to those who are adept in the reading of hidden knowledge."
July 24, 2018
This book was written by a master (who only wrote two books in all before he died). The setting is an unpopulated Caribbean island which is being excavated to serve as an ammunition dump. The problem is that the ammunition is being brought in faster than the bunkers and tunnels are being dug. The inevitable happens, and almost all life on the island is pulverized. This is described in the very beginning of the book, and the backstory is played out in the remainder of the book. It is an impressive work.
March 5, 2015
Under-rated only because few people have read it. An incredible novel. A much better, an more focused work compared to The Underground City.
September 7, 2020
This literature was written in a strange way. There were three different timelines. It started with the ending, and then went back and forth between the beginning and the middle of the story. I believe it captured tragedy well, and human nature. For once I am not sure who I would recommend this book to. It was an odd read. There were elements of love, military history, and tragedy.
August 10, 2014
Gaddis light. The book stands on its own, but is seems best as a warm up or reminder to the greatness of Gaddis and/or The Infinite City. As a work to itself the story and underlying personality is very forward, which is really what keeps it from reaching the realness of character in these other works. However, the depth of character created in so few pages is remarkable and reminds us that recognition and greatness aren't highly correlated.
December 15, 2010
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.
August 7, 2009
Happy to have read it, not sure if it will drive me too his first novel. It will keep me thinking for a while that's for sure.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews