Book Review - The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Synopsis:  The Sun Also Rises was Ernest Hemingway's first big novel, and immediately established Hemingway as one of the great prose stylists, and one of the preeminent writers of his time. It is also the book that encapsulates the angst of the post-World War I generation, known as the Lost Generation. This poignantly beautiful story of a group of American and English expatriates in Paris on an excursion to Pamplona represents a dramatic step forward for Hemingway's evolving style. Featuring Left Bank Paris in the 1920s and brutally realistic descriptions of bullfighting in Spain, the story is about the flamboyant Lady Brett Ashley and the hapless Jake Barnes. In an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions, this is the Lost Generation.

First Line:  "Robert Cohn was once middleweight boxing champion of Princeton."

Random Quote:  "It was hot, but the town had a cool, fresh, early-morning smell and it was pleasant sitting in the cafe.  A breeze started to blow, and you could feel that the air came from the sea.  There were pigeons out in the square and the houses were a yellow, sun-baked color, and I did not want to leave the cafe."

Review:  This has always been one of my favorite books.  I first read it when I was in high school and I started being interested in Paris in the twenties.  Prior to that I had spent hours sitting on the floor in my father's kitchen looking at the pictures in The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas or maybe they were in The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook (we had both).  I liked those pictures because of the funny hats and cool cars and because Ms. Stein and Ms. Toklas had standard poodles and I also had a standard poodle.  In any event, all of this eventually sparked an interest in The Lost Generation and I read all kinds of things that weren't assigned by my various (dreadful) honors English teachers - lots of novels, some poetry, a fair amount of biography and non-fiction.

Running with the bulls - Pamplona - Image by Getty Images via @daylife
During earlier reads of this book I liked most the romance of it - the running of the bulls, the bistros and cafes, and Jake and Brett's doomed romance.  I remember liking the idea of Brett, too, sort of adventurous and tragic in her own way.  The writing was also excellent - so simple and so evocative.
At this point in my life I still love this book, although this time I was most attracted to Hemingway's descriptions of journeying through the countryside - sitting on top of the bus, walking in Spain, fishing, the sights and sounds of San Fermin.  I liked Brett a lot less and found their romantic problems somewhat less compelling (there are so many more options for expressing sexuality than either Jake or Brett allowed for).  It's interesting how books change as you do.

FTC Disclosure:  Purchased from Half-Price Books

Rating:  Orange

Reading Challenges:  Decades 2010 (1920's)