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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
OK, not one of Hemingway's best but decent.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a re-read and well worth it.
I have a feeling that when I'm through with writing this review, I'll take away another star in my rating. Normally, when I feel poorly about a book, I'll read through the good reviews and not feel so poorly. Not the case here. Did y'all read the same book I did?
What about Hemingway's detached and declarative writing style made you SO attached to Henry or even invested in the storyline? Practically every other section of dialogue left me wondering if Hemingway was genuinely sane in his interpretation of basic human communication. What about Catherine's absent personality and Henry's stoicism made you believe their love story? I see the argument for finding love in the time of war, but really this was lacking and REALLY I don't think this was Hemingway's angle. Surely, the only thing I felt sad for was the lost potential in developing Catherine's character.
I've read The Sun Also Rises, and I've attempted The Old Man and the Sea (like 4 times). I'm trying to understand the genius of Hemingway. There are slivers of hope: in his humor (the cheese line had me cackling), and in his bits of wisdom about courage, bravery, people, and death (see @Meg Sherman's review for a list of quotes I could not have gathered better if I did it myself). I didn't find it utterly impossible to get through, so there's also that.
And as for the ending... I think it was predictable and OK but felt too detached from the war. Maybe I missed the nuance. Apparently, Hemingway rewrote this ending 39 times. Odd numbers, man. Should have written it one more time and you might have done something.
What about Hemingway's detached and declarative writing style made you SO attached to Henry or even invested in the storyline? Practically every other section of dialogue left me wondering if Hemingway was genuinely sane in his interpretation of basic human communication. What about Catherine's absent personality and Henry's stoicism made you believe their love story? I see the argument for finding love in the time of war, but really this was lacking and REALLY I don't think this was Hemingway's angle. Surely, the only thing I felt sad for was the lost potential in developing Catherine's character.
I've read The Sun Also Rises, and I've attempted The Old Man and the Sea (like 4 times). I'm trying to understand the genius of Hemingway. There are slivers of hope: in his humor (the cheese line had me cackling), and in his bits of wisdom about courage, bravery, people, and death (see @Meg Sherman's review for a list of quotes I could not have gathered better if I did it myself). I didn't find it utterly impossible to get through, so there's also that.
And as for the ending... I think it was predictable and OK but felt too detached from the war. Maybe I missed the nuance. Apparently, Hemingway rewrote this ending 39 times. Odd numbers, man. Should have written it one more time and you might have done something.
I am not a huge fan of his writing style, but he somehow made me care about the characters anyways.
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One paragraph worth reading in the whole book. Was entertaining sometimes, but very gruff. Not my fave of his but a legend nonetheless.
This book was redundant and boring. Instead of feeling saddened by the fates of the characters, I felt relieved that the book was finally over and I didn't have to be bothered by them anymore. I do not recommend it.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
