Scan barcode
seanml's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"The Sun Also Rises" defined the Lost Generation, and it certainly feels lost. It's very reminiscent of the very household name The Great Gatsby, published only a year earlier. We follow a group of affluent white folk who live in a world feeling jaded. They hope that each new day will be better, but their freedom brings them to poor conclusions. The characters are put in situations where they don't HAVE to do the right thing, and so each decision is just a little selfish. Usually not grossly so: they're all human, and we would act the same. But these little building disagreements, without distraction, gradually build into conflict. I like our protagonist well enough. I like Bill. I want to like Brett, I want to like Robert, and Mike, and Romero. In the end there's no reason to dislike them either. They're all lost and hurt people, formed by circumstance.
P.S.: There is a single page where the n-word is uttered casually something like 15 times. It doesn't seem malicious, but it's flagrant. Just be aware that if you read this book about problematic people, understand that the author also was a problematic person in a lost world. 8.5/10.
P.S.: There is a single page where the n-word is uttered casually something like 15 times. It doesn't seem malicious, but it's flagrant. Just be aware that if you read this book about problematic people, understand that the author also was a problematic person in a lost world. 8.5/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Classism, Death, Stalking, Cursing, Antisemitism, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Infertility, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical trauma, Domestic abuse, War, Violence, and Vomit
ezulc's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Death, Blood, and Antisemitism
Minor: Racism, Domestic abuse, Bullying, and Racial slurs
anoveldestination's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dialogue tags must be part of the iceberg we can’t see.
The lack of dialogue tags in the book wouldn’t have bothered me so much if I found the characters unique and memorable. I’ve forgotten most of their names but it seems appropriate just to call them all old chaps like 50% of the dialogue in this book does.
Don’t get me started on the characterization of Brett Ashley, the leading lady. A lot of people think her character is progressive for the time, and on the surface, she does seem sexually empowered, but the misogyny is also under the iceberg. One of the themes Hemingway seems to express is that women’s sexual empowerment comes at the expense of men and their masculinity. Brett’s sexual liberation is constantly blamed for the hardships men experience in the novel, so not the most empowering message it seems on the surface. Also there’s a reference to domestic abuse in Brett’s past that just felt too glossed over and belittled.
At this point, you may be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars. Despite my issues with the dialogue (including the amount of dialogue), I liked Hemingway’s more descriptive passages. I also think there are a lot of themes here to unpack, and I like a book that keeps me thinking and learning more afterwards. I found some of the themes surrounding the Lost Generation well executed and even resonant with the effect of the pandemic on today’s generation. A book that reverberates with me is always a good book for me.
However, ultimately, I don’t think Hemingway’s sparse writing style is my cup of tea. Also, there’s just homophobia, racism, misogyny, and antisemitism littered throughout, and I don’t think we have to excuse these things just because something is a classic. There are plenty of other classics and contemporary books that are just as smart without resorting to hate and prejudice.
The lack of dialogue tags in the book wouldn’t have bothered me so much if I found the characters unique and memorable. I’ve forgotten most of their names but it seems appropriate just to call them all old chaps like 50% of the dialogue in this book does.
Don’t get me started on the characterization of Brett Ashley, the leading lady. A lot of people think her character is progressive for the time, and on the surface, she does seem sexually empowered, but the misogyny is also under the iceberg. One of the themes Hemingway seems to express is that women’s sexual empowerment comes at the expense of men and their masculinity. Brett’s sexual liberation is constantly blamed for the hardships men experience in the novel, so not the most empowering message it seems on the surface. Also there’s a reference to domestic abuse in Brett’s past that just felt too glossed over and belittled.
At this point, you may be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars. Despite my issues with the dialogue (including the amount of dialogue), I liked Hemingway’s more descriptive passages. I also think there are a lot of themes here to unpack, and I like a book that keeps me thinking and learning more afterwards. I found some of the themes surrounding the Lost Generation well executed and even resonant with the effect of the pandemic on today’s generation. A book that reverberates with me is always a good book for me.
However, ultimately, I don’t think Hemingway’s sparse writing style is my cup of tea. Also, there’s just homophobia, racism, misogyny, and antisemitism littered throughout, and I don’t think we have to excuse these things just because something is a classic. There are plenty of other classics and contemporary books that are just as smart without resorting to hate and prejudice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Antisemitism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, Sexism, Racial slurs, and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia and War
More...