Dan Simmons has once again crafted an outstanding novel.

This time around, he masterfully portrays Ernest Hemingway's foray into the world of espionage during the early 1940s and World War 2.

The fictional character, Joe Lucas, is a member of Hemingway's group, and although the intrigue is fictional as per the author, it most definitely could have occurred in the manner described.

The novel commences at a rather leisurely pace, but the final 250 pages are filled with intense action and are simply impossible to put down.

I am reluctant to disclose too much more and reveal any of the intricate plot details. However, suffice it to say that it was well worth persevering through the somewhat sluggish beginning.

The story is a captivating blend of historical fiction and espionage, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Dan Simmons has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller, and this novel is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and espionage thrillers alike.

Based on the real-life story of Ernest Hemingway's amateur spy ring in Cuba during the Second World War, *The Crook Factory* is Dan Simmons' fictionalized account of the events that occurred in 1942 - 43 in and around Hemingway's Cuban villa.

It is evident that Simmons has done meticulous research, and the story has the potential to be engaging. However, it fails to fully captivate me for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are instances where the author seems to be winking at the reader. Characters from the mid-20th century make statements that a 21st-century reader would easily recognize as incorrect. For example, the exchange about a non-existent witch-hunt committee is rather clumsy.

Secondly, at times, it feels as if Simmons has included every single detail he found in the archives, overburdening the story with excessive research. As Hemingway himself states in the book, one should avoid showing off and parading all the knowledge like marching captured soldiers through the capitol.

In contrast, in his other historical fictions like *Drood* and *The Terror*, Simmons does a much better job of seamlessly integrating his research into the narrative. *The Crook Factory* was first published in 1999, and perhaps by the time he wrote the later novels, Simmons had learned how to incorporate his research more naturally.

Interestingly, the best review might come from the narrator himself. At the end of the book, he reflects on his time with Hemingway and the best way to write about it. Hemingway once said that a novel should be like an iceberg, with seven-eighths of it invisible. The narrator acknowledges that he will never be a good enough writer to tell the story in that way.

Great story! The facts about Hoover and Hemingway were, in many cases, truly surprising. As I was reading, I constantly found myself guessing as to who was behind certain events that took place. It was truly an eye-opener for me regarding some important people and their roles in World War II. I had no idea that these individuals had such significant involvements. It made me realize how much more there is to learn about this historical period. I am so glad that I came across and read this story. It has broadened my knowledge and understanding. I would highly recommend it to others who are interested in history or just enjoy a good, informative read.

Dan Simmons is an absolute delight. His works are almost exclusively filled with a sense of playfulness and mischief.

His science fiction is not only intelligent but also does an excellent job of creating articulate parallel universes, a feat that he accomplishes to some extent in all of his books.

I found "The Crook Factory" to be a truly enjoyable read. It offers a delightful insight, albeit fictional, into Hemingway and his somewhat delusional escapades in Cuba.

The characters in the book are well-developed and fleshed-out, and the narrative flows smoothly. Before you even realize it, you find yourself rooting for Hemingway and his crazy group in their endeavors, especially as they get involved in the pre-Cold War spy game.

Overall, Dan Simmons' writing is engaging and entertaining, and "The Crook Factory" is a great example of his talent.

At times, the reading was interesting, captivating my attention and making me eager to know what would come next.

However, as I delved deeper, it took a turn that I found gruesome. The descriptions and events became so disturbing that I couldn't really get to enjoy the reading anymore.

The unpleasantness started to outweigh the initial allure, and I began to feel a sense of unease.

After a while, I just decided to quit going on. I couldn't subject myself to that level of discomfort any longer.

It was a difficult decision, as I had initially been quite engaged, but sometimes it's necessary to know when to stop and protect one's own mental well-being.

Perhaps I'll give it another try at a later time, but for now, I'm content with my choice to step away.

Before now, I haven't written more than a handful of reviews. This is because every story one reads is fairly personal in nature. I won't even try to summarize The Crook Factory here.

I will say that this novel contained a gritty, vibrant realism which grabbed me immediately. The author's interpretation of Hemingway's behaviors and actions, as well as those of his cohorts, were amazing. It was like I was seeing through a window to the past. These characters are rich and deceptive, adding intrigue to the story with every chapter. What really added depth to the story was the depiction of life in Cuba at this pivotal moment in history. When the corrupt Batista regime was overthrown and Castro grabbed power, it was a time of great change and upheaval.

Sure it's fiction and no one alive (?) really knows what Hemingway was up to in Cuba at the supposed time of this story. But wow... it could have happened just as the author portrayed it. Who knows?

If you were to choose one book by Dan Simmons and didn't especially care for science fiction (Disclaimer: I revel in it), this is a great read by a world-class writer. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its complex characters, thrilling plot, and vivid descriptions of a bygone era.

I have a deep passion for reading nonfiction works that possess the allure and excitement of fiction. This particular book presented a fascinating departure for me as it is, in fact, a work of fiction that, according to the author, is 95% true.

It delves into the captivating world of Ernest Hemingway's Crook Factory, which was a counter-espionage spy ring he established in Cuba during World War II. The story centers around the main character, Joe, who is tasked with monitoring Hemingway. From there, a series of wild and unpredictable events unfold.

Every character in the book is richly developed and utterly compelling. Dan Simmons showcases an extraordinary talent for breathing life into these individuals, making them seem almost real.

Reading this book sparked a newfound curiosity about Hemingway within me. I have read several of his works, having enjoyed some and disliked others. However, even though this book was clearly fiction, I feel that I will approach Hemingway's writing with a different perspective now, as if I have gained a deeper understanding of him as a person.

I simply couldn't put this book down, and yet it took me a month to complete. It was not an easy or short read, filled as it was with numerous FBI acronyms and detailed accounts of WWII. One has to invest some time to wade through these elements if they are not overly familiar with them.

Overall, I have already highly recommended this book to others and firmly believe that it is a great read. I will most definitely be reading more of Dan Simmons' works as well as delving deeper into the literary world of Ernest Hemingway.

In 1999, I read a truly remarkable piece of literature.

It was a tale that was filled with riveting suspense from start to finish. The story had a way of captivating my attention and keeping me on the edge of my seat, unable to put it down.

What made this tale even more engaging were the larger than life characters. Each one was vividly drawn, with unique personalities and qualities that made them truly come alive on the page.

From the heroic protagonist to the cunning antagonist, every character added depth and complexity to the story.

Their actions and decisions drove the plot forward, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation with each turn of the page.

Overall, this was a reading experience that I will never forget. It was a masterful work of fiction that combined elements of suspense and character development to create a truly unforgettable tale.

This book is full of intrigue and twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you have the luxury of devoting a significant amount of time to reading and you have a penchant for spy novels, then this is definitely a book you should pick up.

However, unfortunately for me, I was only able to read it in small increments, which made it a bit challenging to keep all the details and plotlines straight.

Despite this, I still found the story engaging and fascinating. I can't help but think that if I had been able to read it more quickly, I probably would have given it a solid 5 stars.

Nonetheless, it's a great read for those who enjoy a good spy thriller and are willing to invest the time to fully immerse themselves in the story.

I'm a huge Hemingway enthusiast, and this account of his participation in World War II truly captivated me.

Hemingway's experiences during the war were both harrowing and heroic. He witnessed the destruction and chaos firsthand, which no doubt had a profound impact on him.

The tale not only sheds light on his actions as a war correspondent but also reveals his complex character. His courage and determination in the face of danger are truly inspiring.

Reading about his experiences made me realize the sacrifices and hardships that soldiers and civilians alike endured during that dark period in history.

I'm grateful for this opportunity to learn more about Hemingway and his role in WWII, and I look forward to reading more about his life and work.

Overall, this was a fascinating and engaging read that I would highly recommend to any Hemingway fan or history buff.

The project was completed on January 1, 1970 at 00:00:00.

This significant milestone marked the end of a long and arduous journey.

The team had worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the project was executed with precision and care.

From the initial planning stages to the final implementation, countless hours were dedicated to achieving this goal.

The completion of the project not only brought a sense of relief and accomplishment to the team but also had a profound impact on the organization as a whole.

It opened up new opportunities for growth and development, and set the stage for future success.

Finito nel 01/gen/1970 00:00:00.

If you could give half stars, I would have given this novel a 3.5. So, I just rounded up because I love Dan Simmons as an author.

I really did enjoy this read. If you've ever read any of Simmons' meatier novels, like this one, you know that the pacing is very slow. This is mainly attributed to the detail in which he writes. He really takes his time laying out all our characters and the setting.

International espionage isn't usually my cup of tea, but this novel was very interesting. Simmons took plenty of real life people and events and twisted them up to weave this incredible piece of historical fiction.

If there are any WW2 buffs out there, this is the one for you. It delves deep into the era, presenting a vivid and engaging account that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The combination of well-developed characters, a detailed setting, and a captivating plot makes this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction and espionage alike.

Whether you're a die-hard Simmons fan or just looking for a good book to pass the time, this novel is definitely worth checking out.