The Trail of the Hawk: a Comedy of the Seriousness of Life


Read by John W. Michaels

(4.6 stars; 67 reviews)

Trail of the Hawk, narrated by Mike Vendetti aka Miketheauctioneer, is Sinclair Lewis’ second novel published under his own name. It was not at the time of release a smashing success as his later works, Babbitt, Elmer Gantry, and others, but his style and immense talent are certainly evident.

We travel with The Hawk, or Carl Ericson, son of Norwegian immigrants, born at the end of the 19th century through the first three adventurous periods of the young man’s life. We see him as an adventurous boy, running away with Gertie Cowels, the girl that lives in the big house in the better part of town, only to be rescued by Bone Stillman, a backwoods philosopher and influence on Carl.

We travel with him as he leaves his childhood, Gertie and Joralemon behind, for a short attempt at higher education, then to pursue the hobo life, a Bowery bartender, an engineer in Panama and an aviator. It is during the aviator phase that he becomes Hawk Ericson barnstorming his way across America, an exciting but dangerous lifestyle. Leaving aviation after too many close calls, and the loss of his best friend, he becomes an automobile man, and moves into phase three.

It is in phase three, love adventure, that we find The Hawk in New York, mingling with polite society quite by accident. He is smitten by Ruth Winslow, while riding on a streetcar after a fight with Gertie, and follows Ruth to a party which he crashes.

I truly enjoyed narrating this novel, and believe the listener will enjoy it, a trip into post Victorian, pre-Jazz Age America.
(Summary by Mike Vendetti) (13 hr 34 min)

Chapters

01 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 1 25:15 Read by John W. Michaels
02 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 2 20:47 Read by John W. Michaels
03 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 3 18:59 Read by John W. Michaels
04 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 4 21:27 Read by John W. Michaels
05 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 5 25:20 Read by John W. Michaels
06 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 6 25:40 Read by John W. Michaels
07 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 7 13:34 Read by John W. Michaels
08 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 8 16:35 Read by John W. Michaels
09 - Part I The Adventure of Yourh Ch 9 28:19 Read by John W. Michaels
10 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 10 11:19 Read by John W. Michaels
11 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 11 18:30 Read by John W. Michaels
12 - Part I The Adventure of Youth Ch 12 19:24 Read by John W. Michaels
13 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 13 15:36 Read by John W. Michaels
14 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 14 21:33 Read by John W. Michaels
15 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 15 20:39 Read by John W. Michaels
16 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 16 12:59 Read by John W. Michaels
17 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 17 9:59 Read by John W. Michaels
18 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 18 14:48 Read by John W. Michaels
19 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 19 10:25 Read by John W. Michaels
20 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 20 14:52 Read by John W. Michaels
21 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 21 30:12 Read by John W. Michaels
22 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 22 15:27 Read by John W. Michaels
23 - Part II The Adventure of Adventuring Ch 23 23:36 Read by John W. Michaels
24 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 24 13:20 Read by John W. Michaels
25 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 25 22:01 Read by John W. Michaels
26 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 26 12:42 Read by John W. Michaels
27 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 27 27:02 Read by John W. Michaels
28 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 28 17:26 Read by John W. Michaels
29 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 29 25:00 Read by John W. Michaels
30 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 30 14:28 Read by John W. Michaels
31 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 31 20:06 Read by John W. Michaels
32 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 32 19:31 Read by John W. Michaels
33 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 33 30:35 Read by John W. Michaels
34 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 34 17:51 Read by John W. Michaels
35 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 35 17:56 Read by John W. Michaels
36 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 36 20:35 Read by John W. Michaels
37 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 37 20:50 Read by John W. Michaels
38 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 38 11:22 Read by John W. Michaels
39 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 39 22:34 Read by John W. Michaels
40 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 40 16:41 Read by John W. Michaels
41 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 41 28:15 Read by John W. Michaels
42 - Part III The Adventure of Love Ch 42 20:30 Read by John W. Michaels

Reviews

The Trail of the Hawk : A enjoyable story


(5 stars)

I recommend this book 100%

excellent tale


(5 stars)

The reader of this audio book made the book lift out from the pages. His tone and articulation never intruded on the story line and he was superb. The author made the most amazing and wonderful description of a kiss between two lovers in this book and it was a joy to listen to. I have heard none better. I do wish that Sinclair Lewis had kept his politics out of the story as it intruded and did not assist the narrative but that is whistling in the wind.... exceptionally read book and I must look for others by the same reader.

The Trail of the Hawk: a Comedy of the Seriousness of Life


(5 stars)

Well read, fun listen - thanks!

enjoyable story well read


(4 stars)

Interesting story, the reader is as good as they come.


(5 stars)

What a great story and read so beautifully by Mike Vendetti.