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waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hemingway's thoughts, feelings, and ideas about the world are deeply flawed, but goddamn do I love the way he writes. The main character, Jake, is so clearly a self-insert that it’s almost laughable. Jake is the only fleshed out character, and we see the world only through his eyes. The man doesn’t even muse over his friends' or frenemies' inner worlds, feelings, life experiences, etc. Jake's travels in France and Spain read like a journal/travelogue. I love his short, sharp prose though. Each word is thoughtfully chosen and executed. The effect is melancholy, wistful, and reflective. You end the book feeling bad for almost all the characters, who have all wrecked their own lives or been wrecked by others or some combination. This is the first novel of Hemingway's that I’ve read, and despite it all, I can see myself picking up more of his work. He's writes a compelling, fascinating read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Antisemitism, Racism, Animal death, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Sexism, Racial slurs, Grief, Infidelity, Alcohol, Classism, Infertility, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: War
cnohero's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I do not understand why this book is so special it was a slog and it hard to endure the terrible characters. They were well written but I just couldn't stand them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content
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