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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews
July 14,2025
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This book was penned in remembrance of Hemingway's Safari expedition to East Africa. It is rife with numerous stereotypical and colonizer accounts of Africa. However, to be just, during the era when he composed it, this was the prevalent mindset regarding the continent.


What truly irked me while reading it was that at times it was excruciatingly dull. The protagonist, who is also the author himself, has an intense fixation on killing animals. This book presents Africa, or more specifically East Africa in the 1930s, from a highly dominant male perspective. At times, I winced a great deal when he described their competition to see who could slay the largest animal and the jealousy among the men when someone had killed a bigger one, as it vividly reminded me of men comparing their genital size.


But generally speaking, I'm not a huge enthusiast of Hemingway either because his machismo constantly protrudes in his writing. Perhaps this biases my judgment.


Nonetheless, despite these flaws, the book still offers some insights into the mindset and experiences of that particular time and place. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often problematic history of colonialism and its impact on the perception of other cultures.


Overall, while I may not have entirely enjoyed reading this book, it does have its merits and can be a valuable resource for those interested in exploring Hemingway's works and the historical context in which they were written.


July 14,2025
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I became an ardent fan of Hemingway the moment I delved into The Snows of Kilamanjaro. Since then, I have devoured many of his remarkable books. One that truly stands out is The Green Hills of Africa. It描绘了一幅如此生动而迷人的非洲画卷,以至于我心中燃起了强烈的渴望,想要亲自前往那里,去体验一次野生动物园之旅。


My intention is not to engage in the act of killing those magnificent wild animals. Instead, I long to simply observe them in their natural habitats, to witness their grace and power with my own eyes. Armed with a camera, I hope to capture those precious moments and preserve them as memories that will last a lifetime. The thought of being surrounded by the vast plains, the majestic mountains, and the diverse wildlife of Africa is both thrilling and overwhelming.


I imagine waking up to the sounds of nature, breathing in the fresh air, and setting out on a journey that will open my eyes to a whole new world. I believe that such an experience will not only enrich my life but also deepen my understanding and appreciation of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

July 14,2025
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I won't rate this as I didn't get far.

I should have known from the outset that it was about big game hunting, but unfortunately, I didn't. I was actually hoping for an engaging African tale that would transport me to the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultures of the continent.

However, as soon as I realized it was about hunting, my enthusiasm waned. I despise guns and the act of hunting, especially when it comes to big game. It just doesn't sit right with me.

It makes me think of Eric Trump and his so-called "trophies." UGH! The idea of killing these magnificent animals for the sake of a trophy is simply abhorrent.

I knew I had to quit before I even started reading further. It's not something that I can stomach or support.

I'll stick to stories that promote conservation and respect for nature, rather than ones that glorify hunting and the destruction of wildlife.
July 14,2025
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This remarkable book has a profound impact that makes you long for a more uncomplicated life. It presents a series of activities that might seem rather unusual. You can enjoy a glass of whisky, engage in writing, pursue the hunting of red list animals (although this may raise ethical concerns), involve yourself in every war you've ever heard of (again, a rather extreme and perhaps not entirely advisable idea), and even wash your intestine with soap (a rather strange and potentially dangerous practice).

Reading this book is an experience similar to hunting. At first, nothing seems to be happening. Then, still nothing occurs. But along the way, you are treated to beautiful landscapes. And then, suddenly, for a few seconds, your heart beats fast, and you take the shot. It's a thrilling and somewhat unpredictable journey that keeps you engaged and intrigued from start to finish.

However, it's important to note that some of the ideas presented in the book may not be practical or ethical in the real world. We should approach such content with a critical mind and use our own judgment to determine what is truly valuable and worthy of emulation.
July 14,2025
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This work suffers from the typical Hemingway flaws.

For instance, there is a certain predictability in his writing style and a tendency towards simplicity that can sometimes feel limiting.

Moreover, in addition to these common flaws, there is a general lack of a complex and engaging plot.

The story seems to meander without a clear direction or a strong narrative arc to keep the reader fully invested.

However, on the positive side, the author's beautiful representation of the Kenyan land, people, flora, and fauna is truly breathtaking.

The descriptions are so vivid and detailed that they transport the reader to the heart of Kenya, allowing them to experience the beauty and wonder of that unique place.

Despite the flaws in the overall structure and plot, the author's ability to capture the essence of Kenya in words is a remarkable achievement.

It makes the reader appreciate the rich and diverse nature of the country and its people, even if the story itself may not be as compelling as one might hope.
July 14,2025
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This is a truly breathtaking account that is narrated by Hemingway himself. It vividly describes his 1933 hunting trip in Africa.

Hemingway's passion for this magnificent continent truly shines through in this book. His detailed descriptions make his journey throughout the African wilderness not only incredibly gripping but also great fun to read.

There are several notable quotes that add depth and insight to the story. For example, "We have very primative emotions. It's impossible not to be competitive. Spoils everything, though." This quote reflects on the nature of human emotions and the impact of competition.

Another powerful quote is "All I wanted to do was get back to Africa. We had not left it, yet, but when I would wake in the night I would lie, listening, homesick for it already." This shows Hemingway's deep love and longing for Africa.

The final quote, "It must be very nice to have a daughter." "You cannot know how nice it is. It is like a second wife. My wife knows now all I think, all I say, all I believe, all I can do, all that I cannot do and cannot be. But now there is always someone you do not know, who does not know you, who loves you in ignorance and is strange to you both." offers a unique perspective on family and relationships.

Overall, this account provides a fascinating look into Hemingway's experiences in Africa and his thoughts on life, love, and human nature.
July 14,2025
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This work is truly very entertaining.

It initially presents a facade that might seem straightforward, but as one delves deeper, it reveals a greater depth than what is immediately noticeable.

The subtleties within it are both captivating and somewhat disturbing.

Under the surface lies a world of hidden meanings and emotions that gradually unfold, leaving the reader or viewer with a sense of unease and yet, a strange allure.

It's as if there is a hidden layer that is constantly teasing and challenging the perception of the audience.

This combination of entertainment and underlying complexity makes it a truly unique and engaging piece of art or literature.

It forces one to look beyond the obvious and explore the deeper recesses of the work, uncovering its true essence and significance.

Overall, it is a remarkable creation that has the power to both entertain and make one think.
July 14,2025
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This book is a retelling of some of Hemingway's hunting trips in Africa.

I read the book because I wanted to gain a better understanding of how Hemingway writes. However, it seems that he handles non-fiction literature a bit differently than fiction literature. There isn't much to analyze and interpret here, which I suppose can be expected for a true story. (Perhaps it was my mistake for choosing the wrong book. However, I did notice his repetitive grammar, which is more boring than charming.)

I'm not very interested in hunting, so it didn't really resonate with me. The conversations are also from the early 1900s, so they aren't very interesting from my 2000s perspective. (Don't say anything to Andreas.)

The book has aged. A great deal.
July 14,2025
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Every once in a while, it becomes essential for us to pick up a classic and engage with it.

Reading a classic serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and elegance of great writing. It allows us to immerse ourselves in the masterpieces crafted by literary giants, experiencing the depth of their thoughts and emotions.

Moreover, a classic can also be an excellent companion in advance of a trip to Africa. It can transport us to the continent, even before we set foot there, through vivid descriptions and captivating stories.

It enriches our anticipation and gives us a taste of the cultural and historical context that awaits us.

So, whether it's for the sake of literary enlightenment or to enhance our travel experience, reading a classic is always a worthwhile endeavor.
July 14,2025
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I have a good life. However, I must write. If I don't write a certain amount, I don't enjoy the rest of my life.

I have a good life but I must write because if I do not write a certain amount I do not enjoy the rest of my life.


I came across The Green Hills of Africa at a used bookstore, selling for cheap. I vaguely remembered that Hemingway's famous quote about Huckleberry Finn came from this book. Hemingway thinks it's the alpha and omega of American fiction. So, I snatched it up. Indeed, that quote is in here. It's part of a conversation Hemingway has with an Austrian about literature, which was the highlight of the book for me. In just a few pages, Hemingway weighs the pros and cons of various writers and then gives his own philosophy of writing. It's quite fascinating. But this conversation takes place in the first few pages of this travel memoir. The rest of the book is dominated by his hunt for kudu.


I suspect that many will find the story of Hemingway's hunts unappealing. I, for one, have no interest in hunting at all. I have seen and loved seeing many of the animals in this book when I was in East Africa. So, the many descriptions of shooting and skinning made me feel creepy. To me, it's like someone walked into an art museum, took out a pen knife, and cut a famous painting out of its frame to take home. Can't you just look and appreciate?


The perspective that hunting is distasteful and vulgar is expressed by the Austrian in the opening conversation about literature and serves to establish the essential metaphor of this memoir. For Hemingway, art is very similar to hunting: chasing a fleeting moment through the brush and wilderness, under the heavy hot sun, following wherever it goes, in order to pin it down and capture it in words. The Austrian, perhaps like myself, is a critic: he only wants to look and appreciate. Hemingway differentiates himself as an artist by being a hunter: he stalks and kills.


So, this little memoir can be read, in part, as an extended allegory of Hemingway's artistic ideals: the artist as a disciplined, solitary hunter. But, of course, it is also a memoir of his time in Africa. And in this regard, I think the book was the most disappointing. Hemingway is in his own little world, measuring the horns of his prizes, tracking wounded animals, and peevishly complaining whenever someone kills a beast bigger than his. The drama of the hunt wasn't dramatic, and Hemingway's deadpan writing didn't evoke the landscape. He seems uninterested in the political situation in East Africa, which was under British domination, and generally comes across as a boorish colonialist, only interested in his own pleasure. Certainly not his best work, but it is insightful for Hemingway enthusiasts and may be interesting for big game hunters.

July 14,2025
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Hemingway is always Hemingway and so far he has never disappointed me.

The experiment he wants to do here is: can I write a novel simply by telling the daily reality without manipulating it or adding anything? I thought no, but he succeeded.

Perhaps because the daily reality of the adventurous Hemingway is not really that of all ordinary mortals (he tells of his hunt in Africa, in the great savannah) or more simply because he writes in a wonderful way, without frills, with scarce adjectivation, but making emerge from the names of things an enormous communicative power.

Hemingway paints with names, indicating the world with precision and from this natural essence of things (and from his very particular spirit that impregnates the pages) emerge paintings of incredible beauty.

He has chosen a hateful subject: a rich white man who hires some local natives to take him around Africa to kill the most beautiful animals in the world, just for a narcissistic sense of virile power.

He has done nothing to fix the dead times and waiting times, he has not acted on reality. And yet it is a successful book and that I cannot help but define as beautiful.
July 14,2025
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Hemingway. He is wonderful. Every time I think of him or see that someone is reading him, I blink slowly, smile widely and take off.

I haven't read him for a long time, almost a year. It's as if an old friend has come into the house, carrying magical dust in his bag and I didn't even understand when he sprinkled it on my head. And after - after he charmed me.

Always, when I read Hemingway, I want to dance, to breathe, to sing, to fly, to eat, to drink, to live...

I love him.

And many times I have wondered how a person with such a tragic personal fate has the talent to influence people like this. To charge oneself with energy, with patience, with love and to respond to everything around like a whirlwind. What a thing reading is
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