Ernest Hemingway

[Atlas]

I am very surprised that I was unable to find a thread dedicated to this literary genius. Currently I have been reading many of his more acclaimed short stories, such as "The Old Man And The Sea," etc.

Out of any novelist I know of, Hemingway has certainly inspired me to write the most. HIs ability to connect with the human psyche and reach down into the pit of one's soul is absolutely uncanny. I say, cheers to this man.

[Howard]

Yes, it is surprising if there isn't anything about Hemingway, who has long been one of my favourite writers. This was, after all, the man who influenced a whole generation of writers with his stripped-down, clean-limbed prose that established a genuine twentieth-century voice.
Of course, any Hemingway admirer has to acknowledege that he wrote a lot of stuff that's pretty terrible. Probably no other major writer wrote so many bad books (Death in the Afternoon, Greens Hlls of Africa and Across the River and into the Trees to name three, though even they have brilliant moments). But the best of his work (in my opinion, The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, The Old Man and the Sea, A Movable Feast, most of the short stories, and at least a third of For Whom the Bell Tolls) are still magnificent.

[titania7]

For some reason I've attracted men who are drawn
to Ernest Hemingway for most of my life.

I haven't any idea why, however.

I read The Old Man and the Sea when I was quite, quite young
and didn't care for it. I wasn't yet passionate about literature
and, to me, it didn't compare to all the books I had read by
writers such as Dickens and Jane Austen.

But then, later, I came across an article that said that The Sun Also Rises
is a writer's book. I had just seen the film adaptation with the sultry Ava Gardner
(a distant relative of mine) and Tyrone Power; so, I gave the novel
I go. I enjoyed it quite a lot. I was 16.

Hemingway won't ever be a favorite of mine, but I continue to find him
interesting as a writer and as a man.

I'm delighted to see this thread. He definitely deserves to be remembered.
Last year I had vague ideas about moving to Key West. I thought living there might help me get in touch with my creative voice. Look what it did for Ernest.

But life's taking me in a completely different direction now. . .
because. . .well, that's life . I'd still love to spend a bit
of time in Key West, however, just to soak in the ambience
of the place.

~Titania

[promtbr]

Originally Posted by Howard

Yes, it is surprising if there isn't anything about Hemingway, who has long been one of my favourite writers. This was, after all, the man who influenced a whole generation of writers with his stripped-down, clean-limbed prose that established a genuine twentieth-century voice.
Of course, any Hemingway admirer has to acknowledege that he wrote a lot of stuff that's pretty terrible. Probably no other major writer wrote so many bad books (Death in the Afternoon, Greens Hlls of Africa and Across the River and into the Trees to name three, though even they have brilliant moments). But the best of his work (in my opinion, The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, The Old Man and the Sea, A Movable Feast, most of the short stories, and at least a third of For Whom the Bell Tolls) are still magnificent.

Hemingway was one of the first literary authors that I fell in love with. Having read all of his stuff back in the college days. I share your same evaluation of his works. I also shared your surpise at how much he had seemed to have dissapeared in the current literary landscape when I first got back into reading and appreciating literature again after a long hiatus.

From spending too much time on various lit forums, I found out that newer Hemingway readers response in the last 3 decades has not been very favorable. Primarily the most negativity has been his percieved chauvinistic sensibilities and male dominated tonality. Second, it seems current students have reacted negatively to the fact that he was considered as one of the god's of American 20th century fiction. His name comes up often by them (current students) as being an over-rated writer. My own opinion partly is that his stripped down narrative style's subtlelties are lost on most of them. I think the Hemingway hero is percieved as one of the most dated in 20 the century fiction. Again, I personally will always remain a fan of his best work. (how could I not, I'm a fellow Idahoan )


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[Atlas]

I am glad to see the responses thus far. Hemingway is a literary god in my book. He showed the world itself, and the world loved him (and hated) him for it. Ironically, I've also been delving into Ayn Rand recently (who also doesn't seem to have much popularity around here). Only ironic because they both write so brilliantly with such different tones and beliefs.

[Daniel del Real]

To be honest, I've only read a few short stories from him. He's an author I'm always postponing in my infinite reading list.
However, short stories like the Assasins and Fifty Grand are excellent.
Guess I should stary with the Old Mand and the Sea.
Oh if a day had 28 hours!

[e joseph]

Originally Posted by Howard

...at least a third of For Whom the Bell Tolls are still magnificent.

I've actually been reading For Whom the Bell Tolls for the last week (yup, that's how long it takes me to read a book sometimes...) and couldn't sum it up any better. This is my first Hemingway since I possibly read a short story or two in high school a few years back. I'm roughly halfway finished, and have really been taken in by some of the narrative, while other parts leave me reaching for another book. In particular, any "love scene" between Robert and Maria makes me what to grab Hemingway by the chin hairs and smack him once or twice. With that said, I'm off to put another tiny dent in my reading.