Critique of the Critic

By Laura Peckar



When someone says the name, “Ernest Hemingway,” those who listen instantly think of literature, and all that the man himself contributed to the world of writing -- for good reason. For years, critics have offered Hemingway’s works little to no bad marks, always putting forth praise for each book, novel, passage and word.

One review of Hemingway’s book, In Our Time, states that: "[H]is very prose seems to have an organic being of its own. . . . He looks out upon the world without prejudice or preconception and records with precision and economy, and an almost terrifying immediacy, exactly what he sees."

In another review of a different one of Hemingway’s books, A Farewell to Arms, the writer states that: "[T]he Hemingway manner is arresting purely as craftsmanship. . . . seldom has a literary style so precisely jumped with the time. . . . a moving and beautiful book."

These sorts of statements of Hemingway’s works, if combined, could fill the pages of several novels, and probably already have. Yet, as with every great writer, he has his fair share of critics, if not more.

Considering that Hemingway himself has been compared to other American writers such as Fitzgerald and Faulkner, it’s no surprise that his status as such has been repeatedly questioned. His books are more international than most after all. Almost all of his stories take place overseas, with hardly a mention of the good ol’ states.

Yet, whether you love him or hate him, no one can deny that Hemingway hasn’t earned his place among the greatest of the literary masters, as his sharp, short sentences, dialogue, and works have made incredible impacts in the very way people write today.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/07/04/specials/hemingway-reviews.html
http://www.hemingwaypreservationfoundation.org/ernest-hemingway-criticism.html