The Sun Also Rises

[HSstudent]

First let me say that I am a high school student who has to read this book as part of my summer work for my AP literature class. I'm not excellent at reading comprehension, but i would describe myself as decent. On my AP language exam i scored a 4 (5 is the highest). Anyways, I am 100 pages through this book and I find it extremely boring and tough to read. After each chapter I go on sparknotes and find that I missed key parts in each chapter. There does not seem to be a conflict or anything to drive the story. The dialogue is sometimes confusing and hard to follow who is even speaking. Plus, the dialogue seems so childish and pointless. Each page seems to be filled with useless babble and Jake drinking or eating with someone at a bar. Sorry for the rant but is there something that I am missing?

[Intuition]

It is a Roman à clef. It is written in order to express the notions of what Stein coined as "The Lost Generation."

Also, his literary style.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceberg_Theory

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I doubt a high school student will know what "Roman à clef" means. Hell, I don't know what it means either. Would it have been hard to say "novel with a key" in this case?

Anyways, Hemingway is definitely one of those love/hate authors. I wouldn't say you're missing something--you just don't like him, obviously. I say bring it up in class, air your grievances. You obviously have the ability to articulate why you don't like the book beyond the usual student response of, "I don't know, it's boring." It can help get conversation going. Unless you're in one of those no-discussion classes, in which case, I'm sorry.

[Intuition]

I doubt a high school student will know what "Roman à clef" means. Hell, I don't know what it means either. Would it have been hard to say "novel with a key" in this case?

It wouldn't of been hard, but "a novel with a key," sounds horrible in English. Besides, I'm sure that it will be a healthy addition to his vocabulary when he concocts his project of Hemingway.

[HSstudent]

I am now on page 150 and I'm starting to appreciate his style with dialogue. The scene where Mike and Robert argued was quite entertaining but I found the descriptions of the river and their fishing experience over the top. He writes the same thing over and over again about the mountains, the hills, etc

To mutatis: I'm not sure if my class next year will be discussion based but the strange thing is I actually really liked old man and the sea once I learned the deeper meanings within the book

And to intuition: I didn't know what that term meant..lol, but thanks for the link. Sparknotes is always a good source to find the hidden meanings in a work. Going to look at the themes though when I'm finished completely.

[dfloyd]

I have read it at least five times, and it gets better each time I read it. Hemingway's writing wont get any better, but remember you're only a high school student, so your comprehension of great literature is sure to improve.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I have read it at least five times, and it gets better each time I read it. Hemingway's writing wont get any better, but remember you're only a high school student, so your comprehension of great literature is sure to improve.

Many people with a wonderful comprehension of "great" literature absolutely loathe Hemingway, so what's your point?

[wessexgirl]

Many people with a wonderful comprehension of "great" literature absolutely loathe Hemingway, so what's your point?

Runs in to put up hand to say I'm one of those people, and quickly runs away again before I'm caught in the crossfire. I don't like Fitzgerald either........runs for cover .

[kelby_lake]

In theory, I really like Hemingway's work, but it only really works in short bursts. I find it hard to really get into his novels. It's certainly a style you have to get used to, but it can be quite enjoyable, such as in The Sun Also Rises or A Moveable Feast.

[Buh4Bee]

That's funny, because I agree. There are times when I wonder why Hemingway is so well loved. The Sun Also Rises is a great drama. I appreciate A Movable Feast after I was able to "get" why it is so influential. I had a hard time finishing For Whom the Bell Tolls.

[Patrick_Bateman]

His depiction of the bull fight is magical.

[Rores28]

Liking literature or any sort of art isn't as simple as "I'm smart therefore I should like the stuff that other smart people said was good."

Much of what makes Hemingway enjoyable is what the characters aren't saying, and I believe it is intentional that one loses track of who is talking when. Hemingway is a style that grows on you... or perhaps it doesn't but I've rarely seen a novel so often loathed and questioned as "The Sun Also Rises" with the exact same complaints, only to have the reader read more deeply and gather some info from some outside sources and voila they are a fan. Happened to me, my buddy, I think my girlfriend, and probably like 1 person per month on this website.

[HSstudent]

Just finished reading and I guess the book was OK. Was I the only one that felt bad for Cohn? He was always being provoked by Mike and he (Mike) got what he deserved. On the other hand, it was sad to see Cohn lose it and attack Romero as well.

Now I got to do this assignment and then read Pride and Prejudice

[Emil Miller]

Now I got to do this assignment and then read Pride and Prejudice

You are indeed to be pitied.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

You are indeed to be pitied.