Ernest Hemingway

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:25

I am a huge fan of Hemingway based only on the Old Man and the Sea. Its one of my favorite books of all time and the story telling is wonderful. The book is short and simple, but deep and meaningful. It’s sad to see how people can be so successful yet be so hurt/empty that they take there own life. So amber what other Hemingway should I read?

-Elliott

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:25

I have never read any Hemingway… and I am probably going to say that about most in the Literature section :/ However he sounds like he had an interesting life and I am very interested in reading some of his stuff. A Farewell to Arms sounds like it may be a place to start. I kinda like romantic war stories for some reason.

Lisa

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:26

Well, way back in high school I hated the Old Man and the Sea and didn't think much of Hemingway, but now I think it is a great book and have read other books of his since. I read The Sun Also Rises (Elliott, read this) when I was in Spain (because I was in Spain) and really liked it, though Old Man is much more straight forward than Sun. And I think I read a Farewell to Arms when I was in Honduras (lots of time for reading then). So, I definitely recommend him. The fact that he committed suicide makes me think of Walter Percy's book, Lost in the Cosmos, and his discussion of the artists' struggle in the world and maybe whether sanity inhibits the creation of art.

-Amber

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:27

Amber, thanks for the advice. I think I’m going to have to try and make time to read a lot more because of these discussions. The idea that sanity competes or inhibits creativity is some thing I’ve thought about a lot. I think that creativity requires a certain release or letting go of reason. The trouble comes when artist can't grasp hold of the reasoning again in their day to day lives. I’ll have to read Lost in the Cosmos it sounds very entertaining.

-Elliott

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:26

I only read one of Hemingway's books and that was in high school. I really remember to much about his writing style or anything like that. I just find it sad that he took his own life later in his life. But i like the fact he wrote a lot about the war and so call masculine things.

-Hamp

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:27

Sad to say I have never read any Hemingway, though have been schooled on him and his writing style all through my education. I think one of my many reading goals, along with keeping up with Wiki everyday, is going to be…. to pick up a Ernest Hemingway book. I'll keep you all posted on which one I get my hands on. I too, like Lisa, love romantic stories. Do you think Hemingway fell in love with an english nurse during his career as an ambulance driver in WW1…ohhh juicy?!?

*Stephanie*

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:28

Well, it should come as no surprise that I haven't read any Hemingway either. It seems his suicide has captured every one's attention and I guess because mom and I are teaching this Bringing Up Boys class I was reminded of Hemingway's very poor relationship with his father. Probably had as much to do with his difficult life, if not more, than his creative streak.

I, however, have read Lost In the Cosmos (thanks Amber) and I'm inclined to echo Amber's thoughts on the artist's struggle. Actually, if I remember correctly, it is a problem for more than just artists, but for anyone who seems to (and here's a connection to our appearance/reality discussion) connect to reality in some unusual way and then tries to "re-enter" life.

Numbers had several interesting episodes about this topic when Dr. Larry Fleinhardt experienced real difficulty "returning" to earth after his space shuttle mission. He was struggling with a lot of life's BIG questions, entered a Buddhist monastery, etc., etc. etc.

Lost In The Cosmos is definitely a good read.

Dad

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:28

Anytime i think about the "old man and the sea" it takes me back to my old homeschool co-op days sitting, just staring listening to Lisa Harper read to the "class". (ya'll know what i'm talkin' about) anyway i did enjoy the book although i'm not sure i understood the whole meaning, maybe i to should follow Elliott, Lisa and Steph's lead and pick up some more of his books. about the topic of "crazy" artist that book lost in the cosmos is now on the top of my books to read list. i think is so true that pure artist are not or can not be "normal". take my friend Matt V for example you may have noticed at our wedding that he does not like to do things the normal way or even try to "fit in" like most people would in a situation where they didn't know anyone. and yes sometimes it looks like he's just trying to be weird but i have been around him long enough to know that that is who he is through and through. he will never be able to have a normal job or do anything other than music, i think it just comes down to really knowing yourself. call it your passion or your calling whatever but when you find that thing and truly get in touch with it thats when genius happens. whether it's in music, painting, science, sports or whatever.

Tyler

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 14:30

Dad is right, Lost in the Cosmos definitely dealt with what he termed "troubled re-entry" into normal life. Termed so because in their art, whatever that may be, artists transcended normal life. I take his point a bit further when I wonder if sanity does in fact hinder creativity. And I kind of think it does. But that's just me. As for Hemingway I would think that many things could contribute to his suicide, including his involvement in the war and being part of the Lost Generation.
-Amber

Last edited on 15 Jan 2009 19:52 by Truestatesman Show more

Re: Ernest Hemingway

Truestatesman 15 Jan 2009 19:53

-I'm not a big Hemingway fan but I liked seeing his home in Key West.I would like to try another book of his as all I can remember is the Old Man and the Sea.That whole lost generation thing is interesting. After reading about WWI lately( I was researching for a crossword puzzle) I can see why you would be depressed. Unbelievable amounts of people died. One battle had over a million killed in one day. I was depressed reading about it.
-mom