Winner take nothing

Unflinching Tales of Defeat, Disillusionment, and Quiet Despair

First published in 1933, Winner Take Nothing is Hemingway’s third and most emotionally stark short story collection. Written during the Great Depression, these fourteen stories explore illness, disillusionment, and quiet despair. From the haunting solitude of A Clean, Well-Lighted Place to the coping mechanisms in The Gambler, the Nun, and the Radio, Hemingway reveals a world where connection is fragile and even survival can feel hollow. With his signature minimalist style, he captures the quiet tragedies that define the human experience.