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seanml's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Antisemitism, Stalking, and Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Gore, Infertility, Violence, Vomit, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and War
antananarywa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Violence and War
shadestate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Misogyny and War
oceanwriter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My disinterest was more of a plot/character problem. I simply wasn’t interested in the subject matter. Another problem was the years of build up and having it fall short. Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion, but I found the storytelling dull. As a piece of historical literature, it’s interesting, but definitely not a book I would have read otherwise.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Misogyny and Racial slurs
Minor: War
anoveldestination's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Violence and Antisemitism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Homophobia and War
haley49's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Alcoholism and Antisemitism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal death, Death, and War