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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I value Hemingway's laconic style and journalist's eye, as always. He vividly recreated the festive mood and immersed me the reader into the long celebrations to the point that in the end, I felt tired and happy as if I had been there myself. And like with a good vacation, you are too consumed with life to reflect on actions and misdeeds. Whatever happens in Pamplona stays in Pamplona.
P.S. Friends, girls, drinks... it gave me a Remarque deja vu. I guess that's the hallmark of the lost generation genre. you just change the entourage; add some Spain, bulls, and matadors.
P.S. Friends, girls, drinks... it gave me a Remarque deja vu. I guess that's the hallmark of the lost generation genre. you just change the entourage; add some Spain, bulls, and matadors.
This was easily one of my favorite books of all time. Hemingway’s imagery always wows. Truly felt like I was on a vacation with the cast and will definitely be returning one day.
When I was in high school, I learned that Hemingway was a misogynist; I resisted reading his book throughout the rest of high school and college. (Besides, I'd heard he could be a bit of a bore.)
But I finally picked up what I've heard to be one of his best novels, and I have to say I enjoyed it. I do love novels about beautiful, rich young people living it up as artsy expats in Europe. We all live vicariously, don't we?
But I finally picked up what I've heard to be one of his best novels, and I have to say I enjoyed it. I do love novels about beautiful, rich young people living it up as artsy expats in Europe. We all live vicariously, don't we?
The casual but visceral racism and homophobia was a bit much for me
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Antisemitism
Interesting read that really captures the feelings and thoughts of writers and artists living in Paris during the early 1920s. It makes me realize that our "millennial" generation isn't the only generation that doesn't know what they want out of life and just lives life day by day. In true Hemingway fashion it's incredibly descriptive and the characters confuse you by their words or actions.
reflective
slow-paced
this book introduced an outdated antisemetic slur to a group of 16 year olds. and i was called that slur within the next year. i blame this book. 1 star for the entire plot being antisemitism. fuck ernest hemingway and i hope that poor jewish guy we went on a real trip with felt better
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one took a little bit for me to get into but once I did it was a decent story. I’m not sure this style of writing/story is my cup of tea but I’m glad I read it!
Not sure I “get” Hemingway. Uneventful tale of obnoxious, privileged piss artists knocking around various places in France and Spain. Colourful descriptions of the bullfighting but otherwise fairly forgettable for me.
emotional
sad
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
This was Hemingway's debut novel first published in 1926 and it's also my first time reading Hemingway.
It's written in a sparse prose style but somehow the words get in your head. There's something about the lines that make them memorable.
The plot involves a group of ex-pat Americans firstly partying in Paris and then moving onto Spain for a week of Fiesta, the celebrations involving bull fighting and a lot of drinking.
Drinking is the main theme. The 1920s hedonism of this group known as the 'lost generation', disillusioned with life in the post war years is abysmal. Everyone acts badly, and spends more money than seems possible on getting drunk or 'tight' or 'blind drunk'. Cheers 🥂.
Jake Barnes is working as a reporter although we don't see him do much work. His wartime experience left him wounded and impotent and a slight tragic figure. He's in love with Lady Brett Ashley, a beautiful aristocrat who teases the men and likes to drink, party and sleep around.
Jake must learn that he can never really have her although in tender moments they do know that they love each other. Trouble is that Brett has just got divorced and plans on marrying Mike. But Mike is permanently drunk and bankrupt.
And then Jake's friend, ex-boxer Robert Cohn, another writer, falls in love with Brett which creates more tension. And that's before they get to Spain and Brett has her eye on a bullfighter.
If you took a drink every time one of the characters has a drink you would need a few weeks to read this. Or even months. Stay sober and you can easily read it in a day or two.
The characters aren't likeable and there's not a lot of plot when you really examine it but it's powerfully written and feels like a slice of life of a lost time, a particular period in history that was over as soon as it began.
People and places come and go but the sun carries on.