The Best Hemingway Novels

Best Ernest Hemingway Books: 7 Top Reads

Our essential Ernest Hemingway reading list - The Manual

The 10 Most Popular Ernest Hemingway Books, According to Goodreads

Ernest Hemingway's Top 10 Books Ranked | Book Analysis

Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman, has gone 84 days without a successful catch. He's considered unlucky to the point where his young, loyal friend, Manolin, is compelled by his parents to abandon Santiago and join a more fruitful fishing crew. Despite this, Manolin remains devoted, aiding Santiago at the end of each day, ensuring he has food, and engaging in conversations about their shared passion for baseball. Santiago, optimistic, determines to venture farther out into the ocean than he typically would on his next trip, believing his dry spell is about to end.

On his determined journey out into the Gulf Stream, Santiago finally hooks a large marlin on the 85th day of his unlucky stretch. His strength isn't enough to reel the fish in, and instead, he finds himself being towed by the fish, unable to secure the line to his boat out of fear it would snap. For two days and two nights, Santiago endures excruciating pain as the marlin drags the boat across the ocean, his hands raw from the strain of the line. Throughout this ordeal, Santiago feels a profound respect for the marlin, viewing it as a companion in suffering and endurance.

Exhausted and almost delirious on the third day, Santiago finally manages to kill the marlin, which is the biggest he's ever seen, with a harpoon. He secures it to his boat, excited about the profit it'll fetch him but also concerned that those who will consume it don't truly appreciate its magnificence. However, the marlin's blood attracts sharks, and Santiago is left increasingly defenseless as he fights off multiple attacks, losing his harpoon and valuable rope in the process. By nightfall, the sharks have left nothing but the marlin's skeleton, leading Santiago to regret his decision to venture too far out. Returning home, he is too exhausted to do anything but sleep. The next morning, local fishermen are awestruck by the marlin's remains, while unaware tourists mistake it for a shark. Manolin is relieved to find Santiago safe, and they agree to resume fishing together. Santiago, back in his own world of dreams, sees lions playing on African beaches.

The Old Man and the Sea

El Viejo y el Mar

In May 1937, at the peak of the Spanish Civil War, an American named Robert Jordan decides to join the Republican side. He finds himself deep within enemy territory, working with Spanish guerrilla fighters in their mountainous hideouts. The Republicans have entrusted him with the treacherous and complex mission of destroying a bridge controlled by the Fascists. Guided by a local peasant, Anselmo, he reaches the guerrilla camp led by a man named Pablo. However, Pablo shows hostility towards Robert and opposes the mission, fearing it will put their group at risk. Robert begins to worry that Pablo might betray them.

Inside the camp, Robert meets Pilar, Pablo's partner who seems to hold the real power within the group. He also encounters a group of diverse individuals, each with their unique personalities and backgrounds. Among them is Maria, a young woman abused by the Fascists who instantly draws Robert's attention. Despite Pablo's initial resistance, the group eventually agrees to support Robert's mission. Throughout this time, Robert and Maria grow closer, professing their love for one another and promising a shared future. Meanwhile, Robert consults with El Sordo, the leader of another guerrilla group, who agrees to aid in the mission despite concerns about its execution in broad daylight.

The mission's execution day arrives with a series of challenges. Pablo, after a period of drunken defiance, disappears with some of the explosives meant for the bridge, only to return later claiming regret and offering additional support. Robert's dispatch to the Republican command calling for the mission's cancellation is unfortunately delivered too late. The bridge is successfully destroyed, but not without the loss of Anselmo and others. During their retreat, Robert is critically injured and is left behind. As he awaits the advancing Fascist forces alone, he reflects on his final days, grateful for the intensity of life he experienced in love and war. As the enemy approaches, he readies himself for one final act of defiance.

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Por Quien Doblan las Campanas

The story begins with Jake Barnes, a World War I veteran and journalist living in Paris, describing Robert Cohn, his wealthy, writer friend who is unsatisfied with his controlling girlfriend, Frances Clyne, and his life in Paris. Cohn tries to persuade Jake to accompany him to South America but fails. One night, Jake encounters Lady Brett Ashley, his war-time love, at a dance club, who despite loving him, won't commit to him due to his war-inflicted impotence. The next day, after Cohn expresses interest in Brett, Jake reveals her impending marriage to Mike Campbell, a Scottish war veteran with a drinking problem. Brett pays Jake a surprise visit later that night, accompanied by Count Mippipopolous, and announces her departure to San Sebastian in Spain for a break.

Jake, while Brett and Cohn are away, makes plans with another friend, Bill Gorton, a fellow war veteran, to go fishing in Spain and to attend the fiesta at Pamplona. After a surprise visit from Brett and Mike, Jake learns that Brett and Cohn had been together in San Sebastian. Jake and Bill then travel to meet Cohn in Bayonne, France, and together proceed to Pamplona, Spain. They expect to meet Brett and Mike there, but upon their no-show, Jake and Bill head to Burguete for their fishing trip while Cohn decides to wait for Brett. After five enjoyable days of fishing, they return to Pamplona to reunite with the group and watch the bulls being unloaded for the upcoming fiesta's bullfights.

The fiesta starts with much celebration and the first bullfight, where Pedro Romero, a young prodigy, captivates Brett. She convinces Jake to introduce her to Romero, after which they spend the night together. This results in a confrontation between Cohn and the group, ending in a fistfight. Cohn also attacks Romero upon discovering him with Brett, but unsuccessfully tries to make amends later. Romero, despite being injured, performs remarkably at the bullfight and dedicates his victory to Brett. The two leave for Madrid, leaving Jake, Bill, and Mike behind as the fiesta ends. Jake later receives a plea from Brett to meet her in Madrid, where he finds out that she has ended things with Romero and wishes to return to Mike. As they leave Madrid, Brett expresses regret about their unrealized potential as a couple, with Jake agreeing nostalgically.

The Sun Also Rises

El Sol También Sale

The story revolves around a young American, Lieutenant Frederic Henry, who serves as an ambulance driver in the Italian army during the tail-end of World War I. He spends winter touring Italy, returning in spring to his duties at the front. There, he crosses paths with Catherine Barkley, an English nurse’s aide at a nearby British hospital. Despite Catherine initially being an object of affection for Henry's friend Rinaldi, it is with Frederic that she begins a playful, complicated romance. Catherine, still grieving the loss of her fiancé, seeks comfort in love, even if it's an illusion. Her sentiments awaken in Henry a longing for emotional connection, something he lost in the brutalities of war.

When Henry gets injured in battle, he is transported to a hospital in Milan. Despite initial suggestions of a six-month bed rest followed by knee surgery, Henry opts for an immediate operation conducted by the audacious Dr. Valentini. Meanwhile, Catherine gets transferred to Milan, further nurturing their growing relationship. Their love, once a game of hollow promises and light-hearted flirtations, evolves into something profound and genuine. After his recovery, Henry is granted a brief three-week leave. Catherine reveals her pregnancy to him, and they plan a trip. However, a diagnosis of jaundice and accusations of deliberate self-harm to avoid service result in the revocation of Henry's leave.

Henry is sent back to the front, where Italian forces are suffering losses. During a retreat, Henry leads his ambulance drivers away from the main route, resulting in a violent altercation with two engineers, one of whom Henry shoots. The retreat continues on foot after their vehicles become stuck. Chaos ensues, with commanding officers being executed, and Henry narrowly escapes being seized by battle police. He escapes by diving into a river and stows away on a train to Milan, deciding his war obligations are over. He reunites with Catherine in Stresa, and they flee to Switzerland, where they build a peaceful life, putting the war behind them. However, their tranquility is shattered when Catherine's labor results in a stillborn baby and ends in her tragic death from a hemorrhage. Grief-stricken Henry, unable to say goodbye, walks back to his hotel in the pouring rain.

10 Best Ernest Hemingway Books of All Time

The Old Man and the Sea

For Whom the Bell Tolls

The Sun Also Rises

A Farewell to Arms

A Moveable Feast

To Have and Have Not

Death in the Afternoon

The Complete Short Stories

Green Hills of Africa

Islands in the Stream

A Novel

Sources

What To Read Next

10 Best Ernest Hemingway Books of All Time

The Old Man and the Sea

For Whom the Bell Tolls

The Sun Also Rises

A Farewell to Arms

A Moveable Feast

To Have and Have Not

Death in the Afternoon

The Complete Short Stories

Green Hills of Africa

Islands in the Stream

A Novel

Sources

What To Read Next

Share this page