This is number five in my personal challenge to read twenty-five short stories by Hemingway in 90 days. Much like Old Man and the Sea, I found myself captivated by the description of the hunt. And while I personally hate the idea of this type of hunting, I felt as if I was there in the bush. I found myself figuratively holding my breath. As a writer, I loved the masterful way he dropped in just enough details about the character’s backstory to add to the fullness and development of the story.

She’s damn cruel but they’re all cruel. They govern, of course, and to govern one has to be cruel sometimes. Still, I’ve seen enough of their damn terrorism.

I was shocked by this story. I believe a synopsis appears in the Ken Burns documentary, but I guess I didn't remember and wasn't expecting the denouement. All the shudder features of the time are on display, most apparent is the casual imperial entitlement, with the bloodlust as masculine affirmation hovering in the background.

The depictions of the Africa are amazing even though the human squabbles are firmly foregrounded. I didn't care about the gender politics or the treatment of natives as much as I was in awe of the depictions of dew and sunsets. I guess I am old.

A lion, symbol of courage and a significant connection between a man and his wife. I was not too fond of any of the characters of this story but I have to admit something: I don't remember being so repelled by a female character since Cinderella's stepmother. Well, in the name of debatable maturity, I am pretty sure I felt that with other fictional people but I can't remember at the moment. And now I can't stop thinking about it. I need another female character that I really disliked. Great, this is going to bug me. This is taking a weird turn and now I am writing as my mind dictates. Yeah. This is how babbling is created. Ursula, Maleficent, Evil Queen, Cruella de Vil... I have been possessed by Walt Disney now, stop it. Wait. Disney. Ducks. Daisy. Daisy Buchanan. Done.

This short story started a bit slow and on top of it all, dealing with the barbaric activity of hunting; to kill for the sake of killing. However, as I kept reading, human nature and its inherent conflicts came to surface. Every piece started to fall into the right place—at least, from my humble point of view—and the twist I was warned about before, was a sudden shake that induced the collapse of this initially dull universe. It confirmed all suspicious. (Hemingway deserves patience; I am still trying to adjust.)

This is a story about many things, but it mostly involves the loss of cowardice and control. Hemingway described fear in the most evocative way possible. His minimal amount of words to portray emotions and such vividness between the lines gradually captivated me. What has started tiresome to me became a pulsating prose that revealed a story infused with fear, contempt and the desire of controlling everything. Everyone.
Until the last minute.
Accidentally, voluntarily. Will or chance. I wouldn't know.

A story about the act of breaking ties with manipulation and the rage that such happiness precipitates. All elements that, inevitably, pave the way to the core of tragedy.



Nov 8, 15
* Also on my blog.

This viscously entertaining story was one of my first, if not my first, introductions to Hemingway. Rereading it recently gave me the striking impression that Hemingway did earn his macho reputation.

I’m not sure what to make of the wife character, and I’m not even sure what to make of the ending. One thing I can say is that this story is a fascinating one, and absolutely worth reading.

Hemingway has the amazing ability to write in one paragraph what other authors take pages to describe. He writes what is occuring, but allows the reader to fill in the details. This makes the most simple gesture have layers upon layers of meaning. I'm going to have to reread this one a few times.

Toxic masculinity....

Fascinating stuff. But I have never been a fan of hunting. So, i confess, that hurt my stomach a bit...