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bookish_bry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It was a good representation of the lost generation and that sense of hopelessness and loss of real identity. It's definitely an important read, and I'm sure there are people who would appreciate the style more than I do at times.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
A big part of this book is about watching bullfighting with all of the violence towards animals and all of the danger to humans that implies.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
abbyarm'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
2.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Violence
ciwanski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Blah blah blah “quintessential novel of the Lost Generation” go watch midnight in Paris instead, you’ll enjoy it more than reading this book.
This book felt like a hedonistic journal entry that puts Hemingway himself as the indifferent protagonist and talked far too much about fishing and bait and bull fights and cycling and drinking. I mean really! How many bottles of wine or glasses of ABSINTHE can one drink in an evening and not be falling over??? Oof not to mention all the racism and antisemitism.
I’ll probably try to give Hemingway another go, but it’s going to be awhile.
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
thequeenofsheba3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Violence
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