Rating: 
Summary: interesting piece
Review: In Death in the Afternoon, Hemingway describes the sport/art of bullfighting. His knowledge of the bullfighting is extensive enough to show the writer's passion for his subject. He discusses many of the greater Matadores of his time (most of these figures are from the twenties and thirties), and explains what seperates one from another. He describes the Matadores in such a way as to show them as either dynamic, courageous figures, despicably cowardly men (who only fight in order to fulfill contracts), or as tragically deficient faliures. It is a pity that none of these people still fight, for Hemingway gives you such insight into their personalities and styles that it would be wonderful to actually see them in action. That is one major stregnth of this book, it connects the reader to the men in to ring. Hemingway's passion for this sport, as well as it's performers, is transfered to the reader. In that sense, it's a very personal book. Hemingway also goes into detail as to the structure of bullfighting. He discusses the roles played by the various figures (the Picadores, bandelleros, and the Matadore himself) within the arena. With great lucidity, he goes through the process of a bullfight: From selection of the bull to it's death at the hands of the Matadore (or the Matadore at the horns of the bull). Thorugh anecdotes, and frank discussion, Hemingway lays out the foundation of how a bullfight is properly performed (by every single member of the bullfighting team). He also points out the consequences, and disappointment, of a poorly performed match. Overall, this work is very enlightening in terms of the structure of bullfighting. The only negative aspect of this book is that Hemingway wrote it so long ago. Thus, his encyclopedic knowledge of the bullfighters is almost wasted (for none of them fight today). That's not too much of a negative though. In all, I would recomend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about the structure of bullfighting, and also anyone who is interested in Hemingway (it gives you a certain amount of insight into his beliefs, and character).
Rating:
Summary: The best book on bullfighting. Dated but good.
Review: Many years ago, I watched a debate on TV in Spain. The debate was on bullfighting. The opponents of bullfighting, who would like to see the spectacle outlawed, declared that "No good intelectual approved of bulfighting" "What about Hemingway?" asked one of the proponents.
What about Hemingway. He has simply written the best book I've ever read on the event/show/tradition of bullfighting. He loved it dearly, and this love permeates every page on the book. His descriptions of the corridas, of the cities where the "Fiestas" are held, although quite dated by now, hold an everlasting charm, that illustrates the scenes, with an expert palette of colors.
Are you going to Spain? Are you planning to see a "corrida de toros"? If you read this book, you will know what it is about, and you will be able to appreciate it. The only thing better than this, would be to have a seat next to an "entendido" who would explain the whole "fiesta" to you.
I read this book in high school, and reread it now, 27 years later. It is still enthralling, and its charm has only gotten better over the years.
Hemingway saw the bullfight as a stylized tragedy; his understanding of the bullfight, mixes with his understanding and love for Spain. At the end, he cannot escape the conclusion that Spain would not be Spain, withouth the bulls and the bullfighting. This even though only a minority of Spaniards go to bullfights, or are even remotely interested in the "fiesta"It's a pity there is no one now who could develop an updated version of this classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: This book is dissapointing to most Hemmingway fans. It would have been much better had the rest of the book been more like the first and last chapters. Instead he produced a dry and uninspired book with little substance or story telling. The information on bullfighting and matadors is also currently very outdated. A different book could provide much more recent bullfighting information (allthough probably not as well written)
Rating:
Summary: Poetic and Pathetic
Review: This work is poetic in the way all Hemingway is poetic--the simplicity of the prose understates the immense themes at work. His terse, athletic prose creates an air of energy around the bull-fight. The work is pathetic in the sense that the bull-fight is pathetic, eliciting emotion (pathos) and a severe kind of involvement in the moment for the reader. A wonderful read, but be warned that Hemingway's own aficion de corrida may seduce you as well. The nearly violent prose making the ritual of violence as grand and beautiful as possible.
Rating: 
Summary: The Art of Bullfighting & a Triumph of Writing.
Review: Though at the end of the book Hemingway states that his book is in no way intended to be an all inclusive book on bullfighting, it is considered by many to be "the" best book ever written on the subject. A literary triumph for those interested and those opposed to bullfighting, filled with details of what goes on before, during, and after the fights both from the matadors' and spectators' point of views. If you've never been to a bullfight, this book will put you ring-side to the artistry that is bullfighting. (It is easy to see why this book is so well esteemed, Hemmingway's writing is an art all its own and this book is his fiercest ever.)
Al fin del libro Hemingway dice que no lo debemos considerar el libro todo inclusivo de tauromaquia o corrida de toros, muchos lo consideran el libro definito en el tema. Un triunfo literario paro los interesados y los opuestos a las corridas, lleno de detalles de lo que susede antes, durante, y despues de las corridas en los ojos del matador y los espectadores. Si nunca ha ido a una corrida, este libro lo pondria pormedio del matador y el toro en el arte de la tauromaquia. (Es facil ver porque este libro es tan bien estimado, el estilo de Hemmingway es un arte enteramente suyo y este libro es su mas feroz.)
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