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A review by adriancrisol
To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway
4.0
"War is a purifying and ennobling force."
Hemingway's capabilities are shown in his ability to flesh out powerful ideas in the most incoherent piece of experimental literature that I have ever read. Contrary to popular belief, there is much to admire in this book.
My first ever Hemingway, which I heard that he himself says is a pile of shit, is still a great opener into his unique writing style and approach to storytelling. The novel showcases a variety of characters who make their own contributions to the title. Harry Morgan is a classic Have Not, being financially unable to support his family, and much like the Commie revolutionaries in denial, try to become one of those who "Have". This war for an elevated status is a recurring theme in the story with only a select few winning, such as
The is a more subtle Have Not who is a clear juxtaposition of Spellman.
Hopefully you'll come to appreciate (the point of the story) how Hemingway progresses the story in multi-faceted points of views, showcasing the Have Not's struggle for growth. I find Marie Morgan's evolution from a Have to Have Not the most beautiful because of how special her case is,
If you have trouble enjoying the book, I heard the film adaption starring Humphrey Bogart is great. Bogart is an infamous actor among the noir genre, being most notably casted in Maltese Falcon, which is pretty good I guess...
3.8/5 Stars: Good all around, but maybe not as your first Hemingway... lol
Hemingway's capabilities are shown in his ability to flesh out powerful ideas in the most incoherent piece of experimental literature that I have ever read. Contrary to popular belief, there is much to admire in this book.
My first ever Hemingway, which I heard that he himself says is a pile of shit, is still a great opener into his unique writing style and approach to storytelling. The novel showcases a variety of characters who make their own contributions to the title. Harry Morgan is a classic Have Not, being financially unable to support his family, and much like the Commie revolutionaries in denial, try to become one of those who "Have". This war for an elevated status is a recurring theme in the story with only a select few winning, such as
Spoiler
Helen Gordon, a Have Not with an emotionally unavailable husband who finds John MacWalsey, an emotionally supportive Have Not whose wife died during the influenza epidemic and decides that he'd be a better husband than Richard Gordon.The
Spoiler
cheated-on cheater, Richard Gordon,Spoiler
Spellman is a "very thin" (195) young man who isn't remembered by Richard, a man whose work he admires. When asked, he says he's "not [doing] much"—which in 1940's Key West meant you were struggling struggling. Though unlike Richard, he's able to carry a cheery attitude as shown when the two interact. Richard is a salt-in-the-wound type of person who, like probably most people of his era, were always feeling some kind of low.Hopefully you'll come to appreciate (the point of the story) how Hemingway progresses the story in multi-faceted points of views, showcasing the Have Not's struggle for growth. I find Marie Morgan's evolution from a Have to Have Not the most beautiful because of how special her case is,
Spoiler
having recieved love from her husband and three daughters.If you have trouble enjoying the book, I heard the film adaption starring Humphrey Bogart is great. Bogart is an infamous actor among the noir genre, being most notably casted in Maltese Falcon, which is pretty good I guess...
3.8/5 Stars: Good all around, but maybe not as your first Hemingway... lol