In preparation for this trip I wallowed a bit in Hemingway writing and “Hemingway-related” books. We’ll be traveling to very “Hemingway-centric” spots including Paris, San Sebastian, Madrid, and Barcelona. We’ve elected to skip Pamplona, the running of the bulls, and any kind of bullfighting. I’m sure Hemingway would call us sissies but we’re not up for the gore.
Anyway, I’ve read Hemingway off and on over the years but for some reason couldn’t remember specific plots or characters (other than vague generalities like “OLD GUY VS. NASTY FISH” or “BULLFIGHTING”). In re-reading Hemingway this go-round I discovered the reason I probably can’t remember the stories is that I don’t like them much, or the people in them for that matter. What I love about Hemingway is his writing, his words, his sentences, his paragraphs, his chapters. I just don’t much like what he is SAYING with all that dazzling writing.
Case in point: The Sun Also Rises. In summary it’s about:
- Drinking
- Fishing
- Bull-fighting
- Fighting
- Drinking
- FIESTA!
- Toxic love
- Fighting
- Being drunk
It seems to me that the main character’s key role in the book is to fish, fund booze-filled evenings with buddies, have man crushes on toreros, and bail his skanky “girlfriend” out of bad hook-ups. Because the words are so dazzling the character and story part falls away in my memory and I am always left with a “yeah, I know I LOVED that book also” conversation every time it is mentioned. But LOVE it for what? It’s a powerfully emotive vignette, a snapshot of a point in time. That point in time for “The Sun Also Rises” did not particularly appeal to me, but the impact and the beauty of Hemingway’s writing makes a lasting impression. I guess I’m OK with that…I’m on to “A Farewell to Arms.” As I remember, it’s another really fun and uplifting book!
Two-Passports 