One True Sentence: Writers and Readers on Hemingway’s Art

by Mark Cirino (Editor), Michael Von Cannon

A selection of the greatest sentences by the master, Ernest Hemingway. Sentences that can take a reader’s breath away and are not easily forgotten. Each sentence has been selected and examined by authors such as Elizabeth Strout, Sherman Alexie, Paula McLain, and Russell Banks; filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick; Seán Hemingway, A. Scott Berg, and many others in this celebration and conversation between Hemingway and some of his  most perceptive and interesting readers.

“All you have to do is write one true sentence,” Hemingway wrote in his memoir, A Moveable Feast . “Write the truest sentence that you know.” If that is the secret to Hemingway’s enduring power, what sentences continue to live in readers’ minds? And why do they resonant? The host and producer of the One True Podcast have gathered the best of their program (heard by thousands of listeners) and added entirely new material for this collection of conversations about Hemingway’s truest words.

From the long, whole-story-in-a-sentence line, “I have seen the one-legged streetwalker who works the Boulevard Madeleine between the Rue Cambon and Bernheim Jeunes’ limping along the pavement through the crowd on a rainy night with a beefy red faced episcopal clergyman holding an umbrella over her.”, to the short, pithy line that closes The Sun Also Rises , “Isn't it pretty to think so?”, this is a collection full of delights, surprises, and insight.

“All good books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened,” wrote Hemingway. “And after you're finished reading one, you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards, it all belongs to you.” For readers of American literature, One True Sentence is full of remembrances—of words you read and the feelings they gave you. For writers, this is an inspiring view of an element of craft—a single sentence—that can make a good story come alive and become a great story.

Genres: Writing

229 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Stephen Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book as a mix of writers and artists choose a sentence from Hemingway’s work that illustrates his best advice to writers (including himself):“ All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know.” There are some great examples and explanations given, and I think the highest compliment of the book I can give is that it made me want to reread Hemingway. I think I tend to forget how powerful a writer he was and get locked (in terms of my perception) into a postmodern caricature of his work and life.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a worthwhile companion to Ken Burns documentary about Ernest Hemingway. Short synopsis from writers and scholars in choosing what they believe is ‘one true sentence’ from Hemingway’s bibliography.
Many chose the same work, but identifying a different sentence. The book also has good reference notes that clarify some discussion item not familiar to the reader.

[Adam Wilburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I bought it because it sounded interesting. I loved hearing from all the different contributors and learned a lot. A ton of great references and book ideas for further reading. I’ve already gifted a copy to a friend.

[JS Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Few surprises, but some really interesting insights and reinforcement of Hemingway's genius. Was hoping for more from Kirk Curnutt's selection, but they just talked about Fitzgerald. Anyway, still worth the read for sure.

[Gavin Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Full of wonders and insight.