The Sun Also Rises: A Novel of the Twenties (Twayne's Masterwork Studies, No 16)

Rating:
Summary: Micheal Renolds knows Hemingway
Review: Michael Reynolds does it again. In delving into the conscious and unconscious motivations of each and every character in Hemingway's first serious novel, The Sun Also Rises, he poses a question about what the expatriates were doing abroad and why they were doing it. Many of the supposed lost generation had personal problems stemming from the Geat War, and Reynolds is apt to discuss why and how this affected eachother. In determining how and why the narrator and his cohorts are imperfect in their own human ways, Reynolds gives Hem well-deserved credit. He proves admiration for the author by pointing out many symbols, motifs, and historical antedotes gone unnoticed by a casual reader. He also lets Hem's genius shine through with a clear and terse analysis. His discussion of structure and values is well researched and designed, but when it came to the last chapter, although compelling, I feel he became highly repetitve. All and all a fast moving read that provides information without trying to convince the reader to agree with all he mentions. I read it in one sitting and believe any fan of Hemingway, and especially The Sun (as Reynolds refers to the book)should pick it up for fun.