So progressing through high school and college, I read my fair share of Hemingway. After college I even went on a Hemingway binge, reading For Whom the Bell Tells, Farewell to Arms and some short stories. I even did some research on Existentialism. The problem was, I'd finish his book, digest the symbolism and message, and walk away thinking "so what?" I wonder if this is just because of my own views on faith. I'm not dissing Heminway as a writer, because obviously he's a great one. But I guess I just went the longest time thinking I couldn't delve deep enoug into literature because I didn't see the merit or point in his philosphy. Anyone else have the same problem with his writing? Anyone love his writing and disagree?
So what's the deal with Hemingway?
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 JesusDrivesAMinivan |
So what's the deal with Hemingway? |
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Posts: 18 (07/25/06 05:41:53) |
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hopeofglory |
Hemingway | ||
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Posts: 242 (07/25/06 06:53:00) |
I read somewhere that Hemingway worked over his manuscripts to eliminate every possible adjective and adverb to make them absolutely void of "unnecessary" words. I hated his writing, but I liked some of his stories. Of course, that was before I met the Lord.
I don't read secular literature anymore. I had my fill of the empty philosophies in the majority of it. I was raised on it and have read a lot of the "greats". A lot of people can read for the beauty of the writing and/or the depth of the storytelling. I can find what I enjoy and respect in the ever-improving realm of Christian writers. |
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tsbeckett |
Re: Hemingway | ||
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Posts: 1070 (07/25/06 08:52:31) |
I love Hemingway. I love the way he writes. Not much enamored of him as a person, but the The Sun Also Shines is one of all time favorite books. If I could be the Hemingway of Christian literature I would be satisfied.
 Marvin On the other hand, I have not read all of his books. Some of them are very boring! |
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expat |
Re: Hemingway | ||
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Posts: 22 (07/26/06 07:29:53) |
I have read some Hemingway a long time ago but I just couldn't get excited about him. Must be a matter of taste. However, I have read other authors who work with existentialist themes that I really like like John Updike and John Irving. While secular existentialism falls on the short side in providing answers, I think it ask important questions that much in Evangelical christianity are afraid to ask. I also believe that there is such a thing as "Christian exitistentialism". I try to work with such themes in my own fiction. Anyone game for a dialogue in this area, let me know.
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CL Lewis |
The Old Man & The Sea | ||
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Posts: 13 (07/26/06 13:58:19) |
I recently thought I should start reading some of the "greats" (authors) so I read Hemingway's Old Man & the Sea. (It was short.) The first 1/3 of this book was so dry and dull that I couldn't understand why this guy was so acclaimed- I almost didn't finish the book. I kept on though and I'm glad I did. The rest of the book was impressive. When I finished I was wow'ed. Would I pick up another Hemingway? Maybe another short.
CL |
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skylarburris |
Re: The Old Man & The Sea | ||
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Posts: 60 (05/26/07 13:21:21) |
His unadorned prose does nothing for me, personally. His characters all seem flat, and I cannot care about them, and therefore I cannot care about the plot.
I suppose it is profound because they are unhappy, and misery is so very profound, isn't it? I haven't read any since college. Perhaps I should try again. My tastes fluctuate. Why did the chicken cross the road? Hemingway: To die. In the rain. That about sums it up for me. |
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tsbeckett |
Re: The Old Man & The Sea | ||
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Posts: 1070 (06/04/07 15:06:40) |
Skylar,
You have elegantly stated why I like Hemingway. To die. In the rain. Simple, sparse, to the very heart of the matter, Hemingway, cuts to the core, and I like that. blessings, Marvin Marvin
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heathergoodman |
Re: The Old Man & The Sea | ||
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Posts: 42 (06/05/07 06:49:38) |
expat: i read old man while sitting with my toes dug into the sand listening to the ocean waves, and i loved the book. absolutely adored it. maybe you need the setting.
lewis: sun also rises is also one of my favorites. in fact, it inspired my first novel. and whoever said something about christian existentialism: read kierkegaard. "Matt and Marnie" at Infuze
see me at my blog L'Chaim "the opposite of war isn't peace; it's creation." |
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