Simple IS genius. No one does the Iceberg Theory better than Hemingway himself, whatever that is. Hemingway penned this book in his usual minimalist style.

However, upon its initial release, it was panned by the critics and readers alike. After being snubbed by everyone, Hemingway returned in full form with the Old Man and the Sea, which won the Nobel Prize for fiction. But I luhv luhv this book. (Or I pretend to)

Strangely enough, it reminds me of the vastly underrated Mario Puzo’s infinitely more superior debut novel, Dark Arena. Heck, Dark Arena was more Hemingway than this one. But I digress.

I am partial to this book though, because –hey, it was heavily featured in Mélancolie. This book was an integral part of Phoenix and Sarah’s relationship. (You don’t care, and I don’t care that you don’t care :) They met the year this book was published in 1950. There are way too many similarities between Mélancolie and Across the River and into the Trees for me to ignore. But it has to be a coincidence, right? Maybe, I’m just flattering myself.

There was this one poignant scene that I really liked. It was heartbreaking, at least for me. The scene was the hypothetical itinerary the colonel and the girl were making for their intended trip to the US and when they’d be back in Italy again.

If I have any criticism, it would be that there weren’t enough details about the girl’s background and just how the colonel got his scars fighting in the war. There should have been more war related scenes and their absence was conspicuous, because the few that were there were haunting.

But the book did manage to portray a wounded soul, or rather souls, if you want to include the girl. Even if the girl’s reasons and back story were missing. Why she loved the colonel the way she did? Even if Renata was a metaphor for the colonel’s lost youth, there should have been more to her than what was provided.

Nonetheless, this book is just the type of elegiacal drink that I enjoy. It has a certain charm that draws me in, despite its flaws. The minimalist writing style adds to the overall atmosphere of the story, making it a unique and memorable read.

Although it may not be Hemingway’s greatest work, it still has its own merits and is worth reading for those who appreciate his writing.

I had made a promise to myself. In order to fill a void in my cultural education, I decided that I would read a novel written by Hemingway. However, as I started reading, it just seemed to bore me to death. I couldn't seem to get into the story at all. So, shortly after the characters arrived in Venice, I gave up.

It was only after I had abandoned the book that the elders and the wise ones in my life explained to me that this particular novel was probably his worst one.

Oh, shit! That means that I will have to give it another try someday, but this time with a different book. I guess I'll have to be more careful in choosing which Hemingway novel to read next. I don't want to waste my time on another dud. Maybe I'll do some research and find out which one is considered his best work. That way, I can be sure that I'm getting the full Hemingway experience.

Hemingway's attempt to write a successor to In Another Country https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... was an interesting one. He aimed to bring in a lot of life experience and love in old age. I must admit that I read this book in perhaps inappropriate life phases (at 17 and 31), especially without a more precise prior knowledge of the earlier reference point.

The love scenes between the aging protagonists, where the man gets to visit the scenes of his former heroism from World War I in the entourage of the US Army, and the young woman were quite liberal for those times. Wolfgang Koeppen even dedicated a small monument to this scandalous book in Pigeons in the Grass.

For many fans of Papa, this novel is the beginning of the end. If it is as honest as the reference point from World War I that was reduced to absolute basic needs, a reread might even be worth considering. Currently, I can only remember the several-page-long reflections on asparagus pee, and the thoroughness of it definitely represents a symptom of decline.

I just don't know if I classified the cover with his works as a burden and left it in Germany.

This is a novel that is truly captivating, filled with a beauty that is intertwined with a tinge of melancholy.

Fittingly, it is set in the enchanting city of Venice, an ancient and beautiful place that is gradually succumbing to the embrace of the sea.

In part, it serves as a poignant lament about the inescapable reality that once youth is gone, it can never be regained. However, it is also a valuable lesson in learning to savor the present and appreciate the experiences that life offers.

Cantwell, a WWII veteran, is aware that his time on earth is limited. Nevertheless, he has found peace with the world and endeavors to relish every single one of the small joys that each passing day brings.

He is incredibly fortunate to have won the love of the beautiful and much younger Renata. Although he doesn't question her feelings for him, he is also somewhat mystified as to why she has fallen for him.

Cantwell is kind and patient with Renata, and he is perceptive enough to understand her needs. He always reminds her of her beauty and professes his love for her, even though she claims not to fully understand what this means.

He uses gentle words, suppressing his natural inclination to be rough in his language. He indulges her penchant for sleeping late in the morning, taking long walks alone around Venice while she slumbers.

Perhaps it is precisely because of these qualities that he has earned her adoration.

"Across the River and Into the Trees" is not only all of the above but also Hemingway's treatise on how to treat a woman.

There are numerous small details and lessons to be gleaned from this book, and it is a story that has left a lasting impression on me, far longer than most of the books I have read.

It is perhaps best appreciated during that stage of life when the reader is transitioning from youth to what is commonly referred to as middle age.

It is more understated compared to Hemingway's more popular works, but if one takes the time to look for the fine details, they will be handsomely rewarded.

Luke F. D. Marsden (author of Wondering, the Way is Made)

Hemingway's books are not merely sources of stories for me.

Rather, they present a wealth of writing techniques that I hold in the highest regard.

The short and precise sentence constructions he employs are something I am an enormous fan of.

They serve as a simple yet effective guide in dialogue writing and character building.

There is always an abundance of valuable elements in his books.

Even if a particular story, such as the one in "Across The River And Into The Trees," fails to resonate with me on a personal level, I still find myself in awe of the writing and end up recommending his works.

Hemingway's influence on my understanding and appreciation of literature is profound and lasting.

I never thought I'd come across a Hemingway story that I didn't like. But here we are, and it's truly a disappointment.

If it's indeed the case that Hemingway's fiction is largely autobiographical, then this novel seems to have been crafted specifically for a select group of his friends "in the know." It's as if it's chock-full of secret codes and hidden Easter eggs that I simply couldn't crack. From start to finish, the story maintained a distance, keeping me at arm's length.

And let's not even get started on the dialogue! Wow. If there were a drinking game where you took a shot every time the Colonel and Renata mentioned their love for one another, it would likely prove fatal. The excessive repetition of their supposed affection became tiresome and rather unconvincing.

Overall, this Hemingway work failed to capture my interest and left me feeling rather underwhelmed.

I truly loved this book.

It was a remarkable experience to read it. You see, I found myself in Verona Porta Nuova station after having visited the beautiful city of Venice.

I was waiting for a night train to Paris, and it was raining outside.

The atmosphere was both melancholy and enchanting.

In that moment, I think this book was the absolute best choice to read.

It seemed to fit perfectly with the setting, as if it was meant to be read in that very station, under those circumstances.

The words on the pages came alive, transporting me to another world while I sat there, waiting for my train to depart.

I will always remember that rainy evening in Verona Porta Nuova station and the wonderful book that accompanied me.

It was a magical combination that made for a memorable and unforgettable experience.

If you have come this far, it is likely that you have suffered from insomnia problems. There is no denying it; the difficulty in falling asleep is one of the greatest ills of our time. The light and acoustic pollution, combined with depression, and an appliance called the television that spews garbage until the early hours of the morning, can turn seemingly harmless nights into an opportunity to become addicted to buying capes and muumuus, to tarot predictions, or even to programs that are not really music.

You are afraid. You have searched in the black market and on the deep web for products that can return to you the desired embrace of Morpheus; you have tried Valium and cannabinoids without them being the solution. But the moment you have been longing for has finally arrived. The sleeping pills and Ambien have nothing to do when compared to a couple of pages of "On the Other Side of the River and Among the Trees", friends! Finally, the definitive anti-insomnia product has arrived: Hemingway hunting ducks, Hemingway drinking, Hemingway walking through Venice, Hemingway seducing young girls, Hemingway showing off with the barmen. Hemingway, the only one, the hero, as you remembered him since high school; preparing for the sunset by relating little battles of the war, applying us, thick, thin, double... without flinching at anything.

All you have to do is get a copy of this book (it doesn't matter if it's from Planeta or generic, the important thing is the active principle), lie down in bed and try to read three or four pages. It may seem like two hundred to you, that's okay. Einstein already demonstrated relativity a long time ago. It is a somewhat arduous process, but don't give up, because it pays off. Just as the eyes begin to see new shapes among the figures of those three-dimensional books when you squint and concentrate, your eyelids will begin to close little by little, inexorably, under the weight of lead, taking you very far and leaving the way for a peaceful and restorative sleep.

My love? And how much do you love me? I also love you. And how much do I love you? Kiss me. Tell me war stories. I love you. Let's go eat. Love me. Kiss me. I love you. Let's go eat again. I'll order. You order. Let's drink. Kiss me. I love you. Do you love me? And how much do you love me?

Hemingway I like, but this book has really pissed me off.

Maybe it's because the plot didn't unfold as I expected. Or perhaps the characters didn't resonate with me as deeply as I hoped. But whatever the reason, I just couldn't get into it.

Still, I'm willing to give it another try. Maybe I missed something the first time around. After all, Hemingway is a great writer, and there must be something in this book that others have found so captivating.

I'll approach it with an open mind and see if I can discover the hidden gems that I overlooked before. Who knows, maybe on the second reading, I'll fall in love with it just like everyone else.

"Across the River and Into the Trees" is a work that, despite being considered one of Hemingway's lesser ones, still holds great charm.

It vividly描绘s Venice and the Italian countryside, painting a picture that transports the reader.

The love story within, while perhaps having some issues by 2020 standards, is moving.

Hemingway's big themes of war, memory, and aging are front and center, as he explores the depths of these human experiences.

His gift for beautifully describing food and drink is on full display as he takes us through the culinary delights of Venice's hotels and markets.

The lean prose and concise dialogue are classic Hemingway, and it's impossible not to be reminded of his unmatched status in literature.

While this may not be the best choice for first-time readers, it is highly recommended for fans.

It's a haunting and bittersweet story that lingers in the mind, even if the majority of critics thought Hemingway was past his prime when he wrote it.

For a detailed review in Hebrew, the link to my blog -

https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/מעבר...

This blog post offers a comprehensive and in-depth look at a particular topic in Hebrew. The link provided leads to a rich and detailed review that delves into the subject matter with great precision. Whether you are a Hebrew speaker interested in exploring this specific area or simply curious about what lies beyond the link, it promises to be an engaging and informative read. The blog, sivi-the-avid-reader.com, is known for its high-quality content and the author's passion for sharing knowledge. So, don't hesitate to click on the link and embark on a journey of discovery through the written words in Hebrew.

It is just a story to tell a girl, while observing the Grand Canal from a window of the Hotel Gritti and praying for the umpteenth red fish that has met its death in a cold and bright morning. The Grand Canal, with its enchanting beauty, seems to hold countless secrets and tales within its flowing waters. As one looks out from the hotel window, the view is simply breathtaking. The gentle lapping of the waves, the colorful boats passing by, and the historic buildings along the banks all contribute to the magical atmosphere. And in the midst of this beauty, the fate of the red fish becomes a poignant reminder of the cycle of life and death. With each passing day, more and more fish meet their end, perhaps due to natural causes or human interference. But as we tell this story to the girl, we hope to impart a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world that surrounds us.