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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
i think the whole hotel could’ve turned upside down and all anyone would say is “gee.”
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my favorite Hemingway book (yes, it’s a reread). I went through a hard Hemingway phase in undergrad. I love his writing style. I love how it’s direct and simple, but that’s it somehow is so rich with subtext (look up “iceberg theory” for more details on that). I love that his characters are all lonely martyrs (remember, I’m a big fan of sad girl shit). The setting roams through Europe, but is known for its scenes in Spain. There are some beautiful and tragic bullfighting scenes (tons of symbolism). Light antisemitism, mostly aimed at a single character who is unpopular for other reasons (the antisemitism is more of a catch-all). The protagonist is a lonely, drunk writer who was injured in the war and is now impotent. He refuses to be with the woman he loves because of this, so she is pretty consistently drunk and sleeping around with their drunk friend group and acquaintances in an effort to dull her heartache over him. Everyone is drunk and sad and buried under themselves. Love this book. Continues to be one of my favorites.
This is certainly one of the best ways to get the feel of the Lost Generation-- the deep ennui is palpable, and at times a bit tedious. Cliff notes: a cycle of drinking, depression, and regret. Oh, and the requisite sexism and anti-Semitism. Fun times.
What's interesting to me in The Sun Also Rises is the way Hemingway works out his prose style here-- the passages about bullfighting are positively lyrical, whereas the dialogue (or any passage describing a woman) is the traditional Hemingway prose for which he is known: choppy, curt, and full of mild (or, in the case of the women: severe) disdain for the subject.
It's a book worth reading and a book worth teaching (but if you're looking for just one Hem, I'd recommend For Whom the Bell Tolls).
What's interesting to me in The Sun Also Rises is the way Hemingway works out his prose style here-- the passages about bullfighting are positively lyrical, whereas the dialogue (or any passage describing a woman) is the traditional Hemingway prose for which he is known: choppy, curt, and full of mild (or, in the case of the women: severe) disdain for the subject.
It's a book worth reading and a book worth teaching (but if you're looking for just one Hem, I'd recommend For Whom the Bell Tolls).
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
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
Hemingway has such a sparse writing style that’s pretty unique and distinct. I don’t think it’s a must-read as far as classics go for a variety of reasons, but if you want to understand the Lost Generation, Hemingway and his contemporaries, pick up this relatively short book. However, be prepared to read about a group of drunk jerks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Racial slurs, Antisemitism
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
No one gets what they want or deserve in this book
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Antisemitism
I had never read Hemingway, and really enjoyed his writing style. He manages to strike this interesting balance between being sparse and yet somehow still occasionally subtly profound. I really appreciated the meandering nature of the book, and was surprisingly invested in the characters. Hemingway’s dialogue is so interesting— it’s awkward, and repetitive, and snappy, and organic in a way that I thought was somewhat true to life.
Jake was also an interesting protagonist to follow. The way he thought about people, especially his friends, was contradictory and amused and cynical, and yet also with a fundamental, rueful sort of fondness. He seemed to be self aware in a way that was incredibly sympathetic.
I really enjoyed following these characters, and will definitely try some more Hemingway soon.
Jake was also an interesting protagonist to follow. The way he thought about people, especially his friends, was contradictory and amused and cynical, and yet also with a fundamental, rueful sort of fondness. He seemed to be self aware in a way that was incredibly sympathetic.
I really enjoyed following these characters, and will definitely try some more Hemingway soon.