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The Red Badge of Courage and Four Stories
A pioneer in the realistic school of American fiction and the true forerunner of Ernest Hemingway, Stephen Crane probed the thoughts and actions of trapped or baited men fighting the destructive forces in nature, in other human beings, and in themselves...
The Red Badge of Courage / The Open Boat / The Blue Hotel / The Upturned Face / The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky
The Red Badge of Courage / The Open Boat / The Blue Hotel / The Upturned Face / The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky
240 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 1, 1997
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299 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Crane
1,431 books1,014 followersStephen Crane (1871-1900) was an American novelist, poet and journalist, best known for the novel, The Red Badge of Courage. That work introduced the reading world to Crane's striking prose, a mix of impressionism, naturalism and symbolism. He died at age 28 in Badenweiler, Baden, Germany.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 29, 2020
I got mixed emotions about this book.
I bought it wanting to read the first and main story "The Red Bagde of Courage", which failed to win me over. Crane certainly has a very good pen, especially for someone of his age, since he was only 25 years old when he wrote this particular novel. He vividly describes the battlefield and the inner world of the main character - a soldier, but the reader's interest, in my opinion, is lost somewhere between the extensive descriptions and the inability to connect with the main character.
The book contains four more short stories.
The second "The Upside Down Face" is a short story also warlike and completely indifferent for me.
The third short story "The Open Ship" is by far the best compared to his two previous works, it is interesting, which results from the game of continuous overturning.
The fourth short story I think is the best part of this book, "The Blue Hotel" is not just well written like all the other Crane's stories, in this story it manages to create the relationship between hero - reader. Heroes and events win a place in your memory.
The fifth and final short story "The Bride Comes to the Yellow Sky" reflects the thoughts of a generation that is very, very far away from us, but it is still good.
I bought it wanting to read the first and main story "The Red Bagde of Courage", which failed to win me over. Crane certainly has a very good pen, especially for someone of his age, since he was only 25 years old when he wrote this particular novel. He vividly describes the battlefield and the inner world of the main character - a soldier, but the reader's interest, in my opinion, is lost somewhere between the extensive descriptions and the inability to connect with the main character.
The book contains four more short stories.
The second "The Upside Down Face" is a short story also warlike and completely indifferent for me.
The third short story "The Open Ship" is by far the best compared to his two previous works, it is interesting, which results from the game of continuous overturning.
The fourth short story I think is the best part of this book, "The Blue Hotel" is not just well written like all the other Crane's stories, in this story it manages to create the relationship between hero - reader. Heroes and events win a place in your memory.
The fifth and final short story "The Bride Comes to the Yellow Sky" reflects the thoughts of a generation that is very, very far away from us, but it is still good.
December 29, 2014
A good lesson in history, but I didn't connect with the characters or stories very much. While Crane's descriptions are very vivid, the plot itself of Red Badge is rather... uneventful? I don't know, but besides being shot at, shooting at others, and carrying a flag, nothing much seems to happen. Of course I am not downplaying the brutality of war, but Crane just didn't get me very invested in the characters' lives. It felt devastating more in a general sense, rather than in a personal sense. But perhaps that's what he was going for?
Also included in this edition is "The Open Boat" -- another one of Crane's most noted works. Perhaps it was because I'd studied it in school, but I like this story even better. There's something about mankind driving against the impersonal force of nature that's captured well in this story.
Also included in this edition is "The Open Boat" -- another one of Crane's most noted works. Perhaps it was because I'd studied it in school, but I like this story even better. There's something about mankind driving against the impersonal force of nature that's captured well in this story.
February 13, 2008
I think Crane is an amazingly powerful writer, and it is hard to take in the fact that he was still in his early 20s when he wrote this novel. The descriptions of being in battle, and the fluctuating emotions of the young soldier, ring true to me.
I know he had never fought in a war, but he had interviewed veterans. His prose has an almost hallucinatory quality to it at times, with vivid details or flashes of colour amid a sense of confusion.
The short stories included in this book are also good - sad to realise that the account of drifting in a small boat after a shipwreck in 'The Open Boat' is factual, and that his health was damaged by the experience.
I know he had never fought in a war, but he had interviewed veterans. His prose has an almost hallucinatory quality to it at times, with vivid details or flashes of colour amid a sense of confusion.
The short stories included in this book are also good - sad to realise that the account of drifting in a small boat after a shipwreck in 'The Open Boat' is factual, and that his health was damaged by the experience.
April 10, 2018
This was a very short book. The fact that it took me six days to get through it may be the best indicator of how I felt about it, which is that it was a chore.
I do think it's interesting that the story that I thought was the best was The Open Boat, and that one was based on something Crane actually experienced rather than studying.
I was also somewhat interested in all the synonyms for "stupid" that Crane used in the description of the battle and the lead-in to it in "The Red Badge of Courage" itself. But with many kind characters, who were stolidly heroic in their care for others, to focus on this self-absorbed vacillating twit was remarkably irritating.
I do think it's interesting that the story that I thought was the best was The Open Boat, and that one was based on something Crane actually experienced rather than studying.
I was also somewhat interested in all the synonyms for "stupid" that Crane used in the description of the battle and the lead-in to it in "The Red Badge of Courage" itself. But with many kind characters, who were stolidly heroic in their care for others, to focus on this self-absorbed vacillating twit was remarkably irritating.
January 13, 2024
Novels about war are always difficult, but this one is quite unique. Crane's writing will surprise you. It's good, but I understand why people do not like it.
July 19, 2021
My rating is mostly to do with the fact that civil war stories are not my thing. This book is about a young soldier who struggles with the realities of being in a war and doing nothing, at least for the moment. The story is character driven, at least for the main character, which is something I appreciate. I also think it is very well written and detailed in describing the scenery and battle scenes. I really did feel like I was there. But again, this is just not a subject matter that interests me.
I actually liked the 4 short stories associated with this copy of the book, more than the main story. They were short, interesting character driven stories about a variety of topics.
I actually liked the 4 short stories associated with this copy of the book, more than the main story. They were short, interesting character driven stories about a variety of topics.
April 18, 2020
Mr. Crane was a pioneer in the realistic school of American writing, as it says on the back.
I did like the badge story, but may want to re-read it since something on the civil war battlefield reminds the character of an event that happened to him earlier in his life - I thought oh, get back to the story. I was a bit impatient with it.
The other stories are enjoyable, my fav was The Blue Hotel. A visitor says 'I should go, I have a feeling I'm gonna die here'. That made it a page turner for me.
I did like the badge story, but may want to re-read it since something on the civil war battlefield reminds the character of an event that happened to him earlier in his life - I thought oh, get back to the story. I was a bit impatient with it.
The other stories are enjoyable, my fav was The Blue Hotel. A visitor says 'I should go, I have a feeling I'm gonna die here'. That made it a page turner for me.
August 7, 2023
“A man with a full stomach and the respect of his fellows had no business to scold about anything that he might think to be wrong in the ways of the universe, or even with the ways of society. Let the unfortunates rail; the others may play marbles.”
December 25, 2020
A I book loved almost fifty years ago
stands up well to time and many wars.
Short stories good, but not exceptional.
It's my second favorite war book,
after Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun."
stands up well to time and many wars.
Short stories good, but not exceptional.
It's my second favorite war book,
after Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun."
October 11, 2023
The Red Badge of Courage was the worst bit of this book - 2 stars. But the other stories included were humorous and entertaining bumping the entirety to 3 stars.
June 20, 2013
When the Kapolei Public Library hosted a visiting exhibit for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, they also hosted half a dozen public programs about the American Civil War. One of those programs was a discussion of the Stephen Crane American classic, The Red Badge of Courage. I thought I was just going to reread a book that I had already read thirty plus years ago in high school, but instead, I experienced the blooming of a rose on my literary soul for one of America’s best piece of anti-war literature. Stephen Crane the poet and Stephen Crane the author are one in the same in this beautifully rendered telling of a “typical” engagement between fellow Americans and brothers in arms.
UH Manoa English professor, Todd Sammons led the discussion and a brief but telling summary of the author’s life. Learning that the author was not in the war, he was much too young to have participated in the war but instead used newspaper articles and interviews with veterans to write the book. We discussed why Crane used only descriptors and not names for the other characters in the story, and the importance of nature in this telling of war and the ravages on both man and the land on which it was fought.
Here is a quote from the book that beautifully illuminates Cranes poetic proses:
“He lay down in the grass. The blades pressed tenderly against his cheek. The moon had been lighted and was hung in a treetop. The liquid stillness of the night enveloping him made him feel vast pity for himself. There was a caress in the soft winds; and the whole mood of the darkness, he thought, was one of sympathy for himself in his distress.”
UH Manoa English professor, Todd Sammons led the discussion and a brief but telling summary of the author’s life. Learning that the author was not in the war, he was much too young to have participated in the war but instead used newspaper articles and interviews with veterans to write the book. We discussed why Crane used only descriptors and not names for the other characters in the story, and the importance of nature in this telling of war and the ravages on both man and the land on which it was fought.
Here is a quote from the book that beautifully illuminates Cranes poetic proses:
“He lay down in the grass. The blades pressed tenderly against his cheek. The moon had been lighted and was hung in a treetop. The liquid stillness of the night enveloping him made him feel vast pity for himself. There was a caress in the soft winds; and the whole mood of the darkness, he thought, was one of sympathy for himself in his distress.”
January 31, 2009
Well I'm done with THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE part, and am now reading the short stories. I'll add to this as I go.
Having read a little Hemingway (years ago, but it sticks with ya...or me, at least), it is clear to me now that Stephen Crane is a literary forefather of his. The stark and realistic style puts you right there. There's no flowery, buttered-up hogwash (which isn't to say I don't love that, too)--this is straightforward, dare I say stereotypically MANLY writing. I enjoyed the book--it actually did not end as I thought it would. It's nice to read something so straightforward, though; no obscure symbols or "literary style" or anything.
As I finish the short stories in the collection, I might review them here. Or I might just let this be the end.
EDIT: Okay, I'll give a line or two about each story:
THE UPTURNED FACE: Super-short, nice and poignant story about death and the creepiness of corpses.
THE OPEN BOAT: "None of them knew the color of the sky." That's the first line of this, among the most famous of American short stories, and a reasonably compelling and claustrophobic tale follows.
THE BLUE HOTEL: Card games in poorly-lit lobbies, cowboys, fights with foreigners in snowstorms, and more pervade this intriguing and captivating story.
THE BRIDE COMES TO YELLOW SKY: Perhaps my favorite of the four shorts. Rarely if ever in my experience with American fiction have I encountered a better juxtaposition of tension and hilarity. I really started laughing out loud there at the very end. So good.
Having read a little Hemingway (years ago, but it sticks with ya...or me, at least), it is clear to me now that Stephen Crane is a literary forefather of his. The stark and realistic style puts you right there. There's no flowery, buttered-up hogwash (which isn't to say I don't love that, too)--this is straightforward, dare I say stereotypically MANLY writing. I enjoyed the book--it actually did not end as I thought it would. It's nice to read something so straightforward, though; no obscure symbols or "literary style" or anything.
As I finish the short stories in the collection, I might review them here. Or I might just let this be the end.
EDIT: Okay, I'll give a line or two about each story:
THE UPTURNED FACE: Super-short, nice and poignant story about death and the creepiness of corpses.
THE OPEN BOAT: "None of them knew the color of the sky." That's the first line of this, among the most famous of American short stories, and a reasonably compelling and claustrophobic tale follows.
THE BLUE HOTEL: Card games in poorly-lit lobbies, cowboys, fights with foreigners in snowstorms, and more pervade this intriguing and captivating story.
THE BRIDE COMES TO YELLOW SKY: Perhaps my favorite of the four shorts. Rarely if ever in my experience with American fiction have I encountered a better juxtaposition of tension and hilarity. I really started laughing out loud there at the very end. So good.
September 25, 2014
This is a classic coming of age story set during the American Civil War. Crane's style seems a mix of early Realism and Expressionism, but it also feels like a overt break from the Romantic movement prior to the Civil War. The "youth" Henry Fleming goes to war with romantic ideals of heroism, but discovers fear, isolation, failure and finally maturity. After his first encounter with battle, Fleming runs and wrestles with his cowardice. He returns, but disguises his running as having been wounded, when he is struck in the head by a comrade who wants Fleming to leave him alone. While the youth never admits this lie to his regiment, he confronts the guilt in the final battle, where feelings of heroism and honor dissolve into feelings of resigned acceptance. The youth becomes a man.
In this collection are four short stories, of which "The Upturned Face" was read. This story is also set during war, but an unspecified one. The story deals with two soldiers confronting the death of their comrade and deciding to bury him. As bullets fly overhead, the soldiers dig the hole and hold a brief service. The absurd scene seems almost comedic, ending with the repetitive sound of dirt going--plop.
In this collection are four short stories, of which "The Upturned Face" was read. This story is also set during war, but an unspecified one. The story deals with two soldiers confronting the death of their comrade and deciding to bury him. As bullets fly overhead, the soldiers dig the hole and hold a brief service. The absurd scene seems almost comedic, ending with the repetitive sound of dirt going--plop.
September 1, 2009
This book was about a boy named Henry Fleming who joins the Civil War as a member of the Union party. During the first fight his regiment has to face, he deserts his regiment. He then finds his injured friend Jim Conklin and stays with him until he dies. Upon trying to return to his regiment he gets into a fight with a fellow soldier, who hits him with his rifle butt in the back of the head causing him to bleed. When he finally returns to his regiment with the help of a fellow soldier, he is nursed back to health for the supposed bullet wound caused by the butt of the other soldier's rifle. Henry then feels guilty for deserting the regiment because he is praised by a Colonel. Although no one knows of his desertion he still does not get over his feelings of guilt, even after the regiments victory. I gave this book three stars because it seemed to not follow direct path. The book was more just about how Henry Fleming felt guilty; it wasn't anything out of the ordinary with a war story. And there were no true heros.
March 26, 2012
I thought the book was hard to get into and absorb the story because there weren’t a lot of key events that were exciting and also the story was fairly plain and had a basic storyline. The main events were: Henry running away during the first battle and then trying to show bravery during the second battle. I liked how Henry realized his cowardice right away and wanted to correct his mistakes immediately. A resonating theme in the book is that doing something great that’s outside your comfort zone can make you feel better about yourself in the end.
The book had good messages and the story was a simple but good story in general. The book was not interesting to read because of the lack of eye-catching, interesting scenes. If someone enjoys simple historical fiction stories with moral values, then this would be a book you would want to read, but overall if you enjoy more action, then I would not recommend this book.
The book had good messages and the story was a simple but good story in general. The book was not interesting to read because of the lack of eye-catching, interesting scenes. If someone enjoys simple historical fiction stories with moral values, then this would be a book you would want to read, but overall if you enjoy more action, then I would not recommend this book.
September 20, 2020
Aside from the eponymous tale, two of the other stories, including The Blue Hotel, turned out to be excellent short reads.
The use of rich language distinguishes the main story. The plot line was a bit stale and some of the expressions popped up with monotonous regularity; I thought the ending a bit weak. The writing, however, is descriptive and the story laid out cleanly enough to make these distractions minor points.
All the stories in this Signet version are held together by the general idea of a man or young man trapped in some situation, and they examine how such a man reacts to his yoke. If this theme appeals to you, Stephen Crane is your writer.
The use of rich language distinguishes the main story. The plot line was a bit stale and some of the expressions popped up with monotonous regularity; I thought the ending a bit weak. The writing, however, is descriptive and the story laid out cleanly enough to make these distractions minor points.
All the stories in this Signet version are held together by the general idea of a man or young man trapped in some situation, and they examine how such a man reacts to his yoke. If this theme appeals to you, Stephen Crane is your writer.
July 13, 2015
I never understood why this book is a classic. I have read it many times, and even taught it when I was an English teacher. Crane does write detail on the effects of a soldier's mind during the Civil War, but other than that, not really sure what is amazing about it. Very few characters have actual names in the book, along with the fact that the setting is not really explained as where they are at. Maybe this was intentional, I am not sure. I picked it up at a library book sale to add to my classic book collection and while I re-read it, I did not get any new understanding from it as before. Yes, it's a good book, but I'm not sure I'd consider it a "classic."
April 25, 2013
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time because I like Stephen Crane. I found the book full of great descriptions and wisdom, but I struggled with him calling Henry "The youth" because it created emotional distance from him. This story is a bit repetitive as well.
This book also contains one of the best short stories ever written: "The Open Boat". I love this story, and every time I read it, I love it even more. The other short stories in the book are also good, but "The Open Boat" is a must read five star story.
This book also contains one of the best short stories ever written: "The Open Boat". I love this story, and every time I read it, I love it even more. The other short stories in the book are also good, but "The Open Boat" is a must read five star story.
October 15, 2008
Although the style was a little outdated and seemed almost choppy at times between paragraphs, I was fascinated with the subject matter and the handling of the characters. The coloquial dialects that the author gave voice to were just fun to read outloud over and over again, and I was able to vividly visualize the battle scenes due to Crane's descriptive prose. Definitely the best Civil War story I've ever read, and I wish it had gone on longer.
August 2, 2009
I picked this up at a bookstore a while back just to have on hand for when I was low on books and with our recent move I was between libraries so it finally got read. I am fascinated by Civil War stories so had always wanted to read it. Apparently it was a new way of writing at the time and it's still quite unique. Pre-Apocolypse Now. Crane uses some very "interesting" turns of phrase and some stunningly beautiful and precise langauge. It still packs a real punch. War is Hell yet again.
June 17, 2012
I picked out this book thinking that the setting of war would interst Adam. But the language was a little to tough for him yet. Although wordy the book has interesting themes on courage (duh), manhood, self preservation and the disregard for life to name a few. The main character struggles with his own feelings in this area as he is part of a civil war battle. Definitely not an easy read, especially for kids.
February 21, 2012
Henry Fleming, the protagonist of this novel, was almost unbearable to read. He was whiny, cowardly, and selfish and did next to nothing in the form of character growth. Stephen Crane doesn't seem to grasp the concept of grammar (or spelling, in some cases) and tends to droll on and on about nothing. The book did not have any exciting plot twists -- or anything exciting, really -- and felt like it was describing the same battle scene several times over. I would not recommend it.
July 3, 2016
A classic. One of those I read years ago in high school. Reading it now, I appreciate it a bit more. The story of a young man going off to fight in his first battle in the American civil war. Well told tale of the young man's thoughts and feelings.
The other stories in this collection were shorter, simpler, and less verbose, and yet I found that I enjoyed them more than the Red Badge. These stories make this collection worth picking up.
The other stories in this collection were shorter, simpler, and less verbose, and yet I found that I enjoyed them more than the Red Badge. These stories make this collection worth picking up.
November 4, 2007
It was an interesting story, with very interesting insights into the mind of male adolescents, but I didn't enjoy it. It was well written and descriptions were quite good, but I got bored of the book and made myself finish. I felt that I would be doing myself an injustice by putting down this classic prematurely. It aided in solidifying my dislike for war.
February 11, 2014
Crane is an exceptional writer. He's got talent, and his stories are enjoyable. I feel he could've been more descriptive, and a bit more detailed. His dialogue style was cool, I don't see it oft, and I don't do it myself, that authors actually write what the voices would sound like. So I enjoyed that as well.
November 2, 2015
I really liked this book because it was one that I got to read over the summer on my own. I liked how the story was written and it was really short which I love. I love reading short books! I think most people would be able to read this book but I feel like you need to have some background on certain things and subjects to be prepared to read it.
November 23, 2022
Despite written in 19th century it still feels modern. Perhaps because it focusses more on the internal struggle inside a young soldier’s mind rather than simply glorifying the war. The battles were depicted vividly and realistically, including the chaos, confussion and the rage which fuel the soldies to keep on charging.
August 20, 2012
This book was written in a very detached way and it was easy for my mind to drift. I still enjoyed how it went from worry to joy to dejection to hard work and pride to a bit of sorrow and ending with acceptance and satisfaction.
February 19, 2014
I am not a big fan of Stephen Crane's stories, they are too realistic for me. Even if it does depict a realistic history that's precisely my problem it's too realistic. It gives me the same feeling as Zola, even if it's great in a stylistic point of view, the characters are too dark for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews