On another wet and windy day I finished reading Ernest Hemingway’s first novel from 1926, originally published in UK as “Fiesta”, a title soon finalised as above, taken from “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.” (Ecclesiastes), reflecting the author’s following the theme of the post-first World War generation, believed to have been lost.
We are abruptly introduced to the author spare, journalistic, style in the convincing dialogue of Book One, focussing on the main protagonists’ relationships.
As usual I won’t give away details, and could not match the many more scholarly reviews of this classic from a future Nobel prizewinner.
Certainly it is clear that the gang taking a trip across France and Spain to witness the fiesta and accompanying bull-fights, behaved as if in a drunken mire. Hemingway, it seems, believed that they were not lost.
We soon learn that he is capable of pared-down, unpoetic description of location, landscape, action, and emotions. He is well able to depict ambivalent characterisation.
The writing continues at a good pace as, eschewing adjectives, he varies his sentence lengths with no loss of fluidity.
Full enjoyment of this work probably requires an appreciation of people having badly and the now controversial sport of bullfighting.
My version is contained in The Essential Hemingway, published in 1964, which also carries a bus ticket, probably from the 1950s.
My penchant for leaving bookmarks in my reading material is described in https://derrickjknight.com/2012/06/05/bookmarks/
This is one I am not sure I read back in my school days. Thank you for the review and the reminder to look it up again.
Thanks very much, Lavinia
I read this when I was in high school. I don’t think it was actually required reading. I just decided to get some Hemingway under my belt, as it were.
Funny about bookmarks. I tend to use the same bookmark until it nearly crumbles in my hand after being used in who knows how many books.
Thank you very much, Boromax
One reason I love thumbing through books in second-hand bookstores is because of the bookmarks I find. They range from torn envelope ends to embossed leather. Once, I found a $20 bill. There was only one thing to do with that one — I bought another book.
An excellent use of your bookmark, Linda. Thank you very much
Derrick, I was concerned about not hearing from you and just discovered that, for some reason(s), your posts are no longer showing up in my feeds. Perhaps, I need to re-follow you.
Logging on to https://derrickjknight.com – just once, seems to be the answer. It is part of the migration of my site, and very frustrating. Thank you very much for your perseverance, Rosaliene
Sounds like you’re having the same wretched weather as we are.
I’m glad you included a link to the 2012 post, I always find the way people book mark pages interesting, except for those who insist on turning in the corners of pages.
Agreed, Sue. Quite a few of those pages had been turned at the corners. Thanks very much
Good use of a wet and windy day.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Lovely review. Makes me want to read the book.
📚🤓📚
Thank you very much, Pat
I read the book in college. What I remember is some very damaged people. I also remember being disturbed by the bullfighting.
That doesn’t surprise me, which is why I put that warning paragraph in. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I suspect I would not be a big fan of this one. 🙂
I think you are right, Merril. Thanks very much
I really must re-read Hemingway. All so many years ago since I did. And maybe I never read this one in the first place.
Thanks very much, Gwen
There’s nothing better to do on a wet day, than reading a good book!
Thank you very much, Ribana