This is Hemingway's second short story collection, published in 1927. It comprises of fourteen short stories, of various length and quality. Yet, overall it has the signature Hemingway style, a uniqueness irrespective of whether it is a novel or a short story that we read.
"The Undefeated" is a story of a Bull Fighter just released from hospital, who is not willing to hang his boots, irrespective of no one willing to give him a second chance. Hemingway describes in detail the various stages of a Bull fight, and depending on the reader one may find the reading effort a little tiring. Manuel, the bull fighter injures himself again. A touching story.
We come across Nick Adams ( whom we met in Hemingway's first short story collection "In our time"), this time recuperating in Italy after the war. Despite its short length it presents a deep insight about how the soldiers look at War, as well as how the locals look at a foreign Army. ( "In another Country")
In, "Hills like Elephants", we come across a very natural but agitated dialogue between a young man and a young girl, with the girl being quite upset and disconcerted about a certain "operation", that she is to have. For me, this was one of the highlights of this collection, if not one of Hemingway's best.
Next we come across the second Nick Adams story ( he is thought to be a fictional character inspired by the author's own experiences), "The Killers". A couple of hit men come looking for a Boxer with the aim of killing him, and they find Nick with his friend. The edgy not so friendly conversation between the hit men, and young men, as well as the boxer's own reaction when being told on the threat on his life, is what is attractive of the story.
"Che Ti Dice La Patria?", is a vignette of journey, with one man, a stranger to the passengers inside the car, travels on the side board as well as how a policeman looks for an avenue to earn some money.
"Fifty Grand" is another of the highlight of this collection. A boxer, a family man, pulls "a fast one" on a betting scheme in a boxing match. It is a cross section of the character of the boxer; his thought process, his economy etc. as well as the realisation, that not only him ( who is painted to be close fisted man ), but most worry about the bottom line.
If someone wanted me to describe using one example, what a typical Hemingway short story is like, I'd show "A simple query". Military, where man is deprived of many pleasures, is a place where many a man looks for alternatives. Even if we leave space for the protagonists' orientation, a layer of humanity is present in him which makes him think twice - although the poor lad may not be as lucky the next day.
We return to a Nick Adams story in "ten Indians". Nick is carrying on with a girl of Native American mix (i.e. Indian), and this story is about his father breaks some bad news to him. The subtly with which the father comes to break the news to his son, was the most attractive thing to me about this story.
"A Canary for One", has its own story based on the American woman's girl - her love being denied her - but the twist is in the last line. The American woman speaks of the suitability of an American girl marrying an American woman, but the last sentence which concerns the American couple is a prize winner;
"We were returning to Paris to set up separate residences."
Another Nick Adams story "An Alpine idyll" is more about the experiences of those reside in the remotest area of the Alps. Back then even a burial had to be postponed until the weather permitted it!
"A Pursuit Race" is, as typical with most Hemingway short stories, infers a lot than what the text states. Campbell clearly is battling a habit, and is losing, but his manager seems to understand the other man's mindset.
"Today is Friday", is a play style vignette, with the crucifying of Jesus Christ as its base. Sparse, but the essential questions raised during the drinking session between the Roman soldiers, picture a skepticism as well as a concealed credulity in him. Inference to Maria Magdelena makes the creation, that much more interesting.
Banal story is the thoughts that a reader ( Hemingway ?) finds awakening in his mind, as he reads a paper. In once sense it is an experiment, while on another it could be looked upon as a cross section of the time the story was written in.
The last story of this collection is also a Nick Adams story. Again a war time story, it gives the impression of his fear of falling asleep. He reminisce about days gone by and his time with his parents, as he tries to postpone sleep. It is clear that Nick is recuperating.
Read on the immediacy of completing his first collection, "In our Time", it is immensely enjoyable and largely of the same style as that. Yet, it is clear that Hemingway was attempting certain experiment and style variations. Overall the signature Hemingway style is attractive and appealing to the reader, to make him interested in the book, despite on occasions the minimalist style hardly gives anything away to to the reader.
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