Ernest Hemingway was a decorated war hero, an adventurer, a heavy drinker and he loved cats. Most importantly he was also a great writer. Often criticized for his views and his character, he was for sure a controversial figure. Weather or not Hemingway was a great person, is debatable and there are many different opinions about it. However, no-one can argue that he is one of the most important figures in American Literature. If you think that you can name all his books, well think again! Ernest Hemingway wrote seven novels, six short story collections and two nonfiction works. Then, if you haven’t read enough of his work, well, you are lucky. This is not a list. This is rather a suggestion for those of you who haven’t read some of the most important books of the great writer. So, Ernest Hemingway: Where to start:
The Old Man and the Sea
For someone who hasn’t read anything from Hemingway, The Old man and the Sea is the perfect book to start with. It is this book that earned Hemingway a Pulitzer and a Nobel Prize and for many his most famous one. The story is about a fisherman who has decided to break his bad luck and finally get a good catch. The tale includes his apprentice, a big fish, the struggle of life and a lot of symbolism. The book rewards in the end with an amazing lesson for life and an unforgettable experience, as the reader is taken on an amazing trip on the shores of Cuba.
The Sun Also Rises
The Sun Also Rises is published in 1926. It is Hemingway’s first novel and the one that made him popular. It is considered by many his best work and most read. The writer traveled to the Festival of San Fermín in Pamplona with the intention of producing a non-fiction book about bullfighting. The trips he took between 1923 and 1925 inspired this amazing work. The colorful and captivating characters make this book an unforgettable read about what was considered “The Lost Generation”.
A Farewell to Arms
This vivid portrayal of WWI portrays the disillusion of most about the “great war” during his time. In 1958, Hemingway told The Paris Review that he “rewrote the ending to A Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, thirty-nine times.” While he left out some of the grimmest details of the war, the book is still a shocking account of the horrors of war.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Picasso painted Guernica to depict the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. Ernest Hemingway wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls. The book stands out for its detailed, realistic depiction of 20th-century warfare and is considered as one of the best examples of modern war literature and 20th century literature in general. The story follows a young man who joins a guerilla group which is active in the fight against the fascist regime.
By Line
While Hemingway is mostly famous for his novels and works of fiction, his short stories highlight very important aspects of his life and his character. This collection highlights the writer’s experiences from the years 1920 to 1956. All the stories are drawn from his experiences as a sportsman, war correspondent and traveler. During these years he did a lot of journalistic work and wrote a lot of stories. This collection is an amazing window into the great personality that he was.