Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #258222 in Books
• Published on: 1995-12-20
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Synopsis
In the socially dislocated period after World War I, an American expatriate and a British peeress conduct a hopeless love affair.

Customer Reviews

Early minimalism
Hemingway might not be for everyone. Most going into reading one of his books will know that his style is minimalistic and pared down. This is the attraction for most, as it was for me.

The story itself is not that engaging, but Hemingway's dialogue rings true. This book, as with some of his other less heavy books, is really more a slice of life type story. It gives us excellent insight into the mores of a culture long past, Parisian and Spanish, and has its rightful place in the greater scheme of books.

If you are a first-timer for Hemingway, might I suggest that you start with "Old Man and the Sea" or even "For Whom the Bell Tolls." These might hold your interst more.

The Space that Separates: The Two Sides of Conflict
Why would anyone want to read a novel about unending drunken revels by emotional cripples who treat each other badly, never-ending love conflicts, getting excited by mayhem at the running of the bulls and during bull fights in Pamplona, and wasted lives? That's the question posed by this book.

The book will not draw too many readers for the subject matter. Why then does the book attract? Part of the appeal has to be the same reason that many people like horror films -- the relief you feel when you realize that your own life does not encounter such dangers can be profound.

Another reason to read this book is to understand the disillusionment of the American expatriates in Europe after World War I. The book is a period piece in this sense. Clearly, Hemingway is Jake and the book is undoubtedly very autobiographical. All first novels have that quality to some degree. Imagining how the author of The Old Man and the Sea started out as Jake was very interesting to me.

To me, however, the primary reason for reading this book is to encounter the remarkable structure that Hemingway built in his plot. He has created several different lenses through which we can explore the role of conflict and separation in our lives. Each lens turns out to be looking at the same object, and it is only by slowly focusing each of the lenses that we are able to see that object more clearly.

The central figure in the book is Brett, Lady Ashley, who enchants almost every man she meets, and who disengages from intimate relations with each one after permanently entangling him emotionally. That leaves a string of wounded suitors in her wake, including Jake. Things get tough when several of them join her and her fiance in Pamplona for the running of the bulls. The symmetry in the book becomes more obvious during a fishing trip that Jake takes without Brett. The fish are lured by artificial flies more successfully than with real worms. Brett's exotic appeal draws men in like flies, much more than the attractions of women who want to make an emotional commitment.

The symmetry becomes masterful when we reach the bull fights. Brett and the matador are inevitably attracted, for they are the same. They both play with their opponents (men and bulls) by flirting and using their capes, weaken the opponents in the engagement, and bring the opponents down (through sexual entrancement and slaughter). Hemingway makes this abundantly clear by repeatedly describing the bull's death as when the matador and the bull become one. One pet name for Brett is Circe, to help complete the picture.

The closer the matador comes to the bull's horns (or Brett to making a commitment), the better the sport for the spectators and the greater the self-esteem for the matador (and Brett).

I do not recall a novel that does such an excellent job of using multiple story lines to reinforce the book's main point, in this case that alienation transcends even closeness. Much as you will dislike some of the characters, the unnecessary racial and ethnic slurs, the savageness, and the emotional scenes, you will probably find the characters to ring true. You will also admire the misguided optimism and honest commitment of Jake as he fulfills his love for Brett by procuring men for her and then rescuing her when the next engagement is all over. Jake's love is that noble sacrifice that we all admire in lovers.

And that's the beautiful part of the book -- you will find nobility amid the ugliness. The contrast makes the nobility more beautiful.

When you are done reading the book, examine your own life and see where you draw back from closeness. Then, ask yourself why you do, and what it costs you and others. Next, consider what closeness can bring from continuing relationships.

Find beauty wherever you look!

An unfunny Friends episode w/good travelogue of Spain
Several self-centered ugly Americans get drunk repeatedly in Parisian and Spanish locales. This novel maybe might have been 2 good short stories, one about fly fishing in Spain, one about the running of the bulls and the bullfight--those parts were lovely, but the characters and plot were boring and pointless, and worse, ugly. Perhaps the novel had more of a shock value in 1927 with the descriptions of promiscuity by an English lady and the drunkenness of the characters, but unfortunately all of our cities,d suburbs, TV sets and movies are filled with adolescents doing the same things. The later works and the Nick Adams stories are so much better than this. I was very disappointed.