Dive into the literary world of Ernest Hemingway, Novelist & Short Story Writer.

Ernest Hemingway, one of the most acclaimed American novelists and short-story writers of the 20th century, is renowned for his terse and direct prose style and his adventurous life, which often informed his works. Born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, Hemingway's early experiences as an ambulance driver during World War I are mirrored in his novel "A Farewell to Arms." His time in Paris in the 1920s as part of the "Lost Generation," and his exploits in Spain during the Spanish Civil War and in Africa on safari also heavily influenced his writing. Some of his other famous works include "The Sun Also Rises," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "The Old Man and the Sea," the latter of which won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1953, followed by the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954.

There is no friend as loyal as a book.❞ — Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway's fondness for reading was well-known, with his reading interests as robust and wide-ranging as his lifestyles. He was an avid reader of classic literature, poetry, and contemporary works, and he believed in the fundamental importance of reading for any writer. Hemingway often emphasized the need for writers to be well-versed in the literature of their predecessors and contemporaries, seeing this as crucial to honing their craft. His personal library included works by Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Flaubert, reflecting his respect for their literary techniques and their influence on his own style.

Ernest Hemingway's Favorite Books

Last Updated: June 2024

The Brothers Karamazov

This profound novel delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on their internal moral struggles, profound philosophical dialogues, and the search for faith and meaning amidst personal tragedy.

Kim

This novel follows the orphaned son of a British soldier growing up in India, who becomes embroiled in "The Great Game," the espionage conflict between Britain and Russia in Central Asia, exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Dubliners

A collection of fifteen short stories that together paint an incisive portrait of Dublin life, capturing the mundane and dramatic moments of the city's inhabitants at the turn of the 20th century with sharp realism and deep empathy.

Madame Bovary

This landmark novel portrays the tragic life of Emma Bovary, a doctor's wife whose unfulfilled dreams and aspirations lead her into a downward spiral of adulterous escapades and financial ruin in her pursuit of a more passionate and luxurious life.

In Search of Lost Time

Proust's monumental work, a seven-volume masterpiece of 20th-century literature, examines the intricacies of time, memory, and desire, chronicling the narrator's experiences in French high society and his quest to define himself and his past.
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King Lear

This tragic play tells the story of Lear, an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on who loves him most, leading to betrayal, madness, and profound tragedy.

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy's epic novel set against the backdrop of Napoleon's invasion of Russia explores the impact of the Napoleonic era on Tsarist society through the interconnected lives of four aristocratic families, blending a meticulous historical study with deeper philosophical issues.
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Queen Margot: A Play in Five Acts

An adaptation likely based on Alexandre Dumas's novel, this play dramatizes the political and romantic intrigues of Marguerite de Valois (known as Queen Margot), set against the backdrop of the French Wars of Religion and the infamous St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

Walden

Thoreau's reflective account of his two years of simple living in a cabin near Walden Pond focuses on the themes of self-sufficiency, the beauty of nature, and his philosophical musings on life and society.
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Wuthering Heights

Brontë's only novel is a dark, passionate tale of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, set against the moody backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring themes of vengeance, social class, and the supernatural.
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Mr. Midshipman Easy

This novel follows the nautical adventures and misadventures of Jack Easy as he joins the Royal Navy, where he confronts the harsh realities of naval discipline and espouses his father's eccentric philosophies to his shipmates.

Anna Karenina

Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece traces the tragic love affair between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky, set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century Russian society, exploring themes of passion, loyalty, and societal norms.
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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Twain's seminal work chronicles the adventures of young Huck Finn and a runaway slave named Jim as they escape down the Mississippi River, confronting societal prejudices and forging a deep bond amidst their escapades.
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The Oxford Book of English Verse

This anthology is a comprehensive collection of English poetry, carefully selected by Christopher Ricks, that spans centuries and showcases the rich heritage of English literature from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century.

Ulysses

Joyce's groundbreaking modernist work chronicles the peripatetic appointments and encounters of Leopold Bloom in Dublin in the course of an ordinary day, 16 June 1904, weaving a dense tapestry of themes, techniques, and allusions.
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The Turn of the Screw

This ghost story narrates the chilling tale of a governess who, caring for two children at a remote estate, becomes convinced that the grounds are haunted and the children are being corrupted by supernatural forces.
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