Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
42(42%)
4 stars
27(27%)
3 stars
31(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 14,2025
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A regular book.

It exudes machismo and virility, which can give it a certain allure.

At times, it is quite entertaining, perhaps with exciting action scenes or engaging storylines that draw the reader in.

However, on the other hand, it is incredibly repetitive. The same themes, character traits, and plot devices seem to be used over and over again, which can make the reading experience feel a bit tiresome.

Despite its flaws, it still has its moments of entertainment value, but it may not be a book that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, it is a rather average book that has its pros and cons.
July 14,2025
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I had to stop reading this book, but I still wanted to write a review.

I have read many Hemingway books and now I have to think that maybe I only liked them because he wasn't the protagonist in those.

However, that's the case here, and holy shit, what an asshole. He goes to Africa for a hunting vacation, shoots rhinos just for show, has locals fill his bathtub (in the savannah!), and is happy to see a "white person" again after weeks.

Maybe there would have been an unexpected character development, but it's definitely too late for me. This book just didn't resonate with me at all. The protagonist's actions and attitudes were so off-putting that I couldn't bring myself to continue. I'm disappointed because I usually enjoy Hemingway's writing, but this one was a real miss for me.

I'm not sure if I would recommend this book to others. It might be interesting for those who are really into Hemingway and want to explore all of his works, but for the average reader, I think there are better options out there.
July 14,2025
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I truly love Hemingway's writing style. His words have a certain charm and power that can draw the reader in.

However, this particular story was a bit of a letdown for me. It was so incredibly boring that I found it difficult to stay engaged.

Moreover, I'm not a fan of hunting, which is a significant theme in the story. This aspect really didn't appeal to me and made it even harder for me to enjoy the narrative.

Overall, while I respect Hemingway as a great writer, this story just wasn't my favorite from him. It lacked the excitement and interest that I usually expect from his works.

I'm sure there are many others who will appreciate this story for its own merits, but for me, it simply didn't hit the mark.

Maybe I'll give Hemingway another chance and explore some of his other works to see if they can capture my attention and imagination more effectively.
July 14,2025
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It's crap.

This simple statement holds a certain degree of dissatisfaction and contempt. When we say something is crap, it implies that we consider it to be of extremely low quality, worthless, or simply not up to our standards.

Perhaps it could refer to a product that fails to perform as expected, a service that disappoints, or an idea that lacks substance.

Using such strong language allows us to express our frustration and disillusionment clearly.

However, it's important to note that while "it's crap" may be a convenient way to vent, we should also strive to provide more detailed and constructive feedback when possible.

This way, we can help to improve the situation or encourage others to do better.

So, the next time you find yourself inclined to say "it's crap," take a moment to think about what exactly is bothering you and how you can communicate your concerns more effectively.

July 14,2025
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Hemingway himself has said at the beginning of this book that the characters and events in this novel are not fictional, and the author has strived to write a completely true book to understand whether the description of a land, when presented accurately, can compete with a fictional one in terms of the portrayal of a month's worth of activities.

In fact, the book is a recount of Hemingway's one-month hunting trip in Africa, during which his wife and other people accompany him on this journey.

The reality is that the book has indeed become quite engaging. Although it may not have enough appeal for the reader to devour it in one sitting or even have the intention of finishing it completely, the space of the story, its feel and atmosphere, and Hemingway's descriptions of people, the space of the story, events, and especially the non-engaging world of the story, at times make your heart feel constricted, and like a vice, you want to open a part of it and read it again because your heart has become constricted in order to accompany Hemingway's words in the arid region.
July 14,2025
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This is an easy review.

If you are a hunting enthusiast, this book will consume your senses and stir within you some urge that you never had before to see and experience the dark continent. It will take you on a thrilling journey through the wilds, making you feel as if you are right there in the thick of the hunt.

However, if you don't have an interest in hunting, reading this book might seem like mindless wandering and senseless shooting. You might not be able to fully appreciate the excitement and challenges that come with the pursuit of game.

As the author writes, "Now it is pleasant to hunt something that you want very much over a long period of time, being outwitted, out-maneuvered, and failing at the end of each day, but having the hunt and knowing every time you are out that, sooner or later, your luck will change and that you will get the chance that you are seeking." Hunting is not just about the kill; it's about the process, the anticipation, and the connection with nature.

But, the author also points out that it is not pleasant to have a time limit by which you must get your kudu or perhaps never get it, nor even see one. This takes away the freedom and spontaneity of the hunt and makes it feel more like a chore. Hunting should be a leisurely and enjoyable activity, not something that is rushed or forced.

In conclusion, this book offers a unique perspective on hunting and the African continent. Whether you are a hunter or not, it is worth reading to gain a better understanding of this ancient and noble pursuit.
July 14,2025
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I firmly believe that Hemingway reaches his pinnacle when he takes a genuine story and enriches it. This can be exemplified by A Moveable Feast, which purports to be a true account yet has had its authenticity repeatedly challenged. Or it could be The Sun Also Rises, which is ostensibly fiction but adheres so closely to a real sequence of events that the actual individuals involved could recognize themselves within the novel.

When Hemingway ventures into pure fiction, there are both successes and failures, and the same holds true when he adheres very closely to the truth. Green Hills of Africa is an account of Hemingway's time on an African safari, and it appears to aim to be a highly accurate portrayal of his experiences there. I'm certain there is some embellishment here and there (after all, it is Hemingway), but overall it is very vivid.

This presents certain strengths. Hemingway's passion for hunting is palpable, and he captures some real personal idiosyncrasies of the characters. However, it also has its weaknesses. This is a book in which no one truly undergoes transformation. The characters are all adults, with fully developed personalities and clear goals. This is not The Short, Happy Life of Francis Macomber. In that story, the safari serves a greater narrative purpose - it is a kind of symbol. Here, the safari is simply that: a safari. Hemingway is describing an experience he had, without transforming it into a greater argument or metaphor. It is beautifully written as always, and his passion shines through. But I believe its true intended audience consists of those who already share Hemingway's passion for big game.
July 14,2025
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I am a fan of hunting, but this story didn't really appeal to me.

Yes, in the book one can find the colors of Africa, but the excitement of the hunt, the killing - it's not for me.

I read it because it's Hemingway, but that's about it.

The descriptions of the African landscape and the animals were vivid, but the focus on the act of hunting left me feeling a bit cold.

I understand that for some people, hunting is a passion, a way to connect with nature on a primal level.

But for me, there are other ways to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Perhaps I'm just not cut out for the thrill of the chase and the final kill.

Still, I'm glad I read the story, if only to see how Hemingway portrayed this particular aspect of life in Africa.

Maybe one day I'll come to appreciate hunting in a different way, but for now, this story has only confirmed my own feelings about it.
July 14,2025
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I can't finish it because it's too macabre for me.

The way Hemingway describes the happiness when the characters kill the animals makes me extremely uncomfortable. It seems rather cruel and heartless. I have a deep aversion to hunting parties. To me, it is not a form of entertainment but rather a senseless act of violence towards innocent creatures.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that I don't like this book. The whole concept of glorifying the act of killing animals just doesn't sit well with my values and beliefs. I much prefer stories that focus on kindness, compassion, and the beauty of nature without the need for such violent and disturbing elements.

I believe there are many other wonderful books out there that can offer a more positive and uplifting reading experience.
July 14,2025
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In that moment, as I looked through the tunnel of trees that grew above the ravine, the sky with white clouds being moved by the wind was a sight to behold. I loved that country deeply. It was a feeling of happiness similar to what you experience after being with a woman you truly love. When you are empty inside, yet you feel that love welling up again and it's there, but you can never fully possess it. However, what you have now, you can hold onto. And you want more and more, to have, to be, and to live, to possess it anew forever, for that long forever that suddenly comes to an end. To stop time, sometimes stop it so much that then you stand still to listen to how it moves, and it has trouble getting started again. But you're not alone. Because if you have ever loved a woman in a blissful and not tragic way, she will love you forever. It doesn't matter who she ends up loving or where she goes, she loves you more. So if you have loved a woman and a country, you are very fortunate and can die peacefully.

It's a moment of profound emotion and realization, a connection to both the land and the concept of love that leaves a lasting impression. The beauty of the scene and the depth of the feelings described make it a truly unforgettable experience.

As I stood there, I couldn't help but be filled with a sense of gratitude and wonder at the power of love and the beauty of the world around me.
July 14,2025
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Green Hills of Africa is set, surprisingly, in Africa.

It mainly focuses on the hunting of Kudu and Rhino. Hemingway vividly brings you into the physical world. He describes in precise detail the machinery of the rifles, the approach of the rhino, and the canvas of Africa's deep and beautiful terrain.

There are passages in here that are remarkably gritty and beautiful.

"It was a hot place to camp, under trees that had been girdled to kill them so that the se-se fly would leave, and there was hard hunting in the hills, which were steep, brushy, and very broken, with a hard climb before you got up into them, and easy hunting on the wooded flats where you wandered as though through a deer park" (136).

This book was published in 1935. Sadly, Hemingway's prose had already begun to decline from the peak of cold and simple beauty that made his early short-fiction classic literature. However, unlike his latest writing, his obvious exuberant happiness and excitement about life and nature ooze onto the page. He uses the ice-berg technique, giving us little information about the characters and their lives and situations. Hemingway entices the reader with a miniature portrait of place and time. It is about man and nature and redemption through physical activity and danger.
July 14,2025
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Free download available at Faded Page.


This article offers a fascinating account of Hemingway's 1933 visit to what is now Tanzania. It delves into both the captivating safari lore and provides incisive literary criticism. During his visit, Hemingway experienced the wild and untamed beauty of the African savannah. The safari adventures were filled with thrilling encounters with diverse wildlife.


The author not only vividly describes the scenes of Hemingway's safari but also analyzes how these experiences might have influenced his literary works. By examining the connection between his real-life adventures and his writing, we gain a deeper understanding of Hemingway's creative process.


This account is a must-read for both Hemingway enthusiasts and those interested in African safari history. It offers a unique perspective on Hemingway's life and work, and takes the reader on a journey through time and space.
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