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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I haven't read Hemingway in years and, honestly, it took me a bit to get back into his narrative style, which felt very slow at first. But by the time the story moved to Spain, I got very into it. Hemingway's descriptions of the corrida del toros is particularly rich - he speaks of it from the perspective of a true aficionado who understands the intricacies and richness of the tradition.
As for the characters, I found myself feeling very aligned with Jake - and disappointed that Lady Ashley knows Jake is best for her, goes off with everyone BUT Jake, and then keeps coming back to him to stabilize her. As I haven't read anything from/about the Lost Generation in several years, it was interesting to note/remember how influenced the characters are by World War I; the story is very much riven by its time/place historically, though this is never directly stated.
As for the characters, I found myself feeling very aligned with Jake - and disappointed that Lady Ashley knows Jake is best for her, goes off with everyone BUT Jake, and then keeps coming back to him to stabilize her. As I haven't read anything from/about the Lost Generation in several years, it was interesting to note/remember how influenced the characters are by World War I; the story is very much riven by its time/place historically, though this is never directly stated.
My first time with Hemingway. I found it tediously repetitive and completely boring. The books that I've read about the man were much more interesting than his own work. I may give him another chance, but probably not any time soon.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is an endearing quality to the prose when the focus is on imagery and travelogue aspects.
The problem for me is that most of the interactions between characters either weren’t interesting, or else had a sad and pathetic quality. In part, this might be down to the antiquated gender roles and the energy sapping way these people talk to each other.
Clearly it has something to say and I think it has a clever way of communicating those things it has something to say about. It’s just hard to get into when you’re not into the characters. If not for the pleasant prose outside of the characters this might have been a 2 star rating.
The problem for me is that most of the interactions between characters either weren’t interesting, or else had a sad and pathetic quality. In part, this might be down to the antiquated gender roles and the energy sapping way these people talk to each other.
Clearly it has something to say and I think it has a clever way of communicating those things it has something to say about. It’s just hard to get into when you’re not into the characters. If not for the pleasant prose outside of the characters this might have been a 2 star rating.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is full of broken relationships and people who drink to distract themselves from their lives. Also Hemingway loves run-on sentences and I kinda vibe with it ngl
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Since 2013 I’ve read this at least 3 more times. I guess I really love it. I should probably say it’s my favorite book. Although that has a lot to do with William Hurt’s reading of it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated