xennicole's Reviews (2.27k)

I always forget that authors use their life as a reflection of their decisions and for better or for worse, all the internal mind meanderings returned to the page of the author. Fitzgerald did it and Hemingway did it. Interesting and very good account on Hemingway's first novel.

I couldn't get into it, I keep reading story after story, but I couldn't tell you what happen if you asked me a day later. I guess I am spoiled by Fitzgerald and Parker.

The last paragraph:

"This history reminds us that our public religion is, in large measure, an invention of the modern era. The ceremonies and symbols that breathe life into the belief that we are 'one nation, under God' were not, as many Americans believe, created alongside the nation itself. Their parentage stems not from the founding fathers but from an era much closer to our own, the era of our own fathers and mothers, our grandfathers and grandmothers."

Detailed. Informative.

Part of me is glad that I waited this long to read this book. I don't think I would have enjoyed in my twenties, but in my thirties - yes.

5 stars might be a little high, but I laughed-out loud- a lot while reading this entertaining and silly book. Super fun, even better if you like British things to get most of the jokes.

I just saw an encore screen-to-film presentation of Helen Mirren in "The Audience a few weeks ago and that help me imagine the Cameron scenes of the weekly meetings with the Queen to be even more entertaining.

If you live by me, you can borrow it.