A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway

This was my first time reading Hemingway and, damn, that man can write. It’s not hard to see why this little book holds such an iconic status. It is a portal into the culture of inter-war Paris; a celebration of many of the era’s literary giants; a snapshot of philia; a loose collection of thoughts on the writing process; and an exemplar of wit and wry humor. This was one of those rare books that actually make me chuckle, and compelled me to dog-ear corners so I can easily refer to some of Hemingway’s most compelling musings from time to time.

Each chapter is packed with references and riffs that I’m sure make this popular assigned reading in many literature and history courses. The only downside for me personally was that I feel some of the more subtle references may have escaped me having never read Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, etc.

For some reason, I found Hemingway’s sharp prose and wit most effective in his descriptions and analyses of things and people he does not like. For example, telling someone you find annoying that the only reason you won’t shoot them is because there’s a law against it absolutely savage.

This maybe wasn’t the most obvious entry point into Hemingway’s catalogue, but now I’m definitely looking forward to eventually reading his greatest works.