Ernest Hemingway

Bloom's Major Short Story Writers

by Harold Bloom

-- User's guide -- Biography of the short story writer -- List of characters in each story -- Detailed thematic analysis of each short story -- Extracts from major critical essays that discuss important aspects of each work -- A complete bibliography of the writer's works -- A list of critical works about the short stories covered in the book -- An index of themes and ideas in the author's work

Genres: Literary Criticism

91 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A summary bio of Ernest Hemingway that with definitive strokes paints the picture of a tortured genius. That much of his pain was self imposed through his narcissism and disregard for those who could not further his desired career, sympathy wanes. Yet the man was larger than life, his writing a powerful display.

This book contains a brief biography and several literary critiques of his work. These focus on Hemingway’s well known offerings like For Whom the Bell Tolls and Farewell to Arms and only briefly discusses four from his large catalog of short stories.

The book is well done, brief in intent,as a snapshot of Ernest Hemingway. Depending on interest in the life and works of Hemingway it will either spur the reader to more writings from,and of this man, or close the door (or book) on needing to know more.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preparation for facilitation of Short Story group, "Hills of White Elephants".

[John Molina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great start for readers unfamiliar with how to read Hemingway. Great book.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book analyzes four of Hemingway's well-known short stories: A Clean, Well-Lighted Place, Hills Like White Elephants, The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber, and The Snows of Kilmanjaro. The stories are not reprinted in the book, so the reader will have to look elsewhere for the original texts, which shouldn't be a problem. At the time of this review, all four stories can easily be found online. The book contains a brief plot summary of each story, a brief description of the characters in each story, and a brief collection of critical comments about the stories, submitted by various critics and commentators. Bloom also provides brief summaries of the credentials of the critics whose work he quotes. All the stories are well-known classics and the critics provide interesting insights into the works, which give the reader a deeper appreciation of the stories. In this series Bloom acts as the editor, organizing the project, and providing an introduction. I look forward to reading more of this series.

[Julie Barrett]

Ernest Hemingway (Bloom's Modern Critical Views) by Melissa McDaniel
Bio and memoirs of Ernest the writer.
Good summary of his life and his works and things
that really did happen to him in real life. Very adventurous man-he'd go chase after a story
rather than wait for it to come to him. The story is set straight about the wartime years-
reports of him carrying others to safety. he wasn't even able to move himself.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).