Hemingway

[007]

I just finished reading The Old Man & the Sea. Believe it or not, I had never read this book before. I loved it. A terrific book about the struggles [and similarities] between man & beast. I decided to pick it up after visiting Key West & touring Hemingway's house [cool place - tons of cats]. I can see where he got the inspiration for the story being an avid fisherman [and big game hunter] himself.

More thoughts on The Old Man & the Sea?
Any other Hemingway fans out there?
Any other recommended reading by Hem?

[007]

I know there are some literature freaks online [Lori, Matty, I'm looking in your direction] - who can break down the story a little, so let's hear about symbolism & societal impact of the story. What makes this an all-time classic?

[False Alarm]

i've read the old man and the sea, but it was too long ago and probably a bit beyond me at the time anyway. no real memory of my impressions. i should revisit it some time.

i did read the sun also rises a while back. i think he's a little overrated as a stylist. the direct style was important and influential as a corrective for the more ornate kinds of prose that were so common before hemingway, and there were some sentences that made me bow down, but i was more impressed with the way he shaped his story. it was artful and singular, and it made me wish i knew a little more about WWI (and the period immediately after) because there was clearly an undertone i was missing. i was on the fence thru the first half of the book, but it pretty much blew me away as it progressed. i ended up loving it.

[Lori Burger]

I read this book when I was in 8th grade, so suffice it to say that I wouldn't have judged it fairly back then (even if I had, people's readings over books are subject to change as they themselves change). I didn't really study Hemingway in college (somehow I avoided most American lit besides the Beats stuff), but of course in my line of work I've heard a great deal about him and would certainly be interested in giving the book another read. Maybe I'll pick up a copy and then discuss with you...

[007]

Please do pick up a copy. Either of you's guys. Its a good story & short [<120 pgs]. I think you'd probably enjoy it & what English teacher hasn't read this book [this is required reading for your job, Lori]. :)

[007]

Oh yeah, I'll check that other book out [FA]. I'm looking for something to read & this could be a candidate, if I can find it at my local used bookstore.

I heard about another story of his set in Key West itself that is based on him & a bunch of his partying friends. Sounds like a good read, so I'll probably look for that one too. I think its To Have & Have Not. Don't quote me on that until I do some research.

[False Alarm]

Oh yeah, I'll check that other book out [FA]. I'm looking for something to read & this could be a candidate, if I can find it at my local used bookstore.

I heard about another story of his set in Key West itself that is based on him & a bunch of his partying friends. Sounds like a good read, so I'll probably look for that one too. I think its To Have & Have Not. Don't quote me on that until I do some research.
sun also rises is from way before old man and the sea. i think it was considered his first major work. anyhow it's set in europe and it's about bullfighting (among other things), so if the key west/caribbean thing is real important to you it might not sit as well as these others. i dunno.

i do have a copy of old man, actually. i'm sure i'll give it another go sometime.

[007]

so if the key west/caribbean thing is real important to you it might not sit as well
Nah, I'm just in it for a good read.

I like the Key West thing because we were down there recently & I can just imagine Hem drunkenly carousing around Duval St. Good Times. I wish I lived in Key West back in Hem's day & partied it up with him. Its a whole different town these days.

[larryhead]

I just read "A Farewell to Arms" last year - the only Hemingway I've ever read and loved it. It is considered to be one of THE definitive books about the WWI era, and a must read imho. Which is weird, because it is not really about combat at all, but is actually more of a love story I'd say. I remember the end of that story sort of knocked me into a daze for a few days afterwards. I felt a definite sense of loss and pointlessness (not at the author, but for the characters), that was very real.

This is also the novel that is most often referenced when referring to the "Hemingway style", which is very unique - it almost feels sloppy and incorrect, but it works well once you are used to it. I think this is one of Notorious' favorite books too if I'm not mistaken. I recommend you read it! :)

[Diamond Vision]

I enjoyed Man/Sea in highschool. don't remember too much except when he ate the dolphin. I started to read the Snows of Kilimanjaro about a year ago but didn't get very far. I think I put it down for some sci-fi trash and never picked it up again.