Todo un tratado de tauromaquia, pero a través del pulso de un genial narrador, que describe el sentido último del hombre enfrentado a la bestia.
E...
read full description
reviews
Oct 07, 2008
Mr.
rated it: 
An epic tome on the art and grandeur of Spanish bullfighting from one of America's greatest aficionados, Ernest Hemingway, who explicates the craft and spiritual intensity of this ancient European ritual through terse, journalistic, prose and rigorous scholarship. Not surprisingly, Hemingway is not terribly perturbed by the grotesque barbarity of the violence of bullfighting; Hemingway was an enthusiast of hunting and had little to no moral qualms about killing animals (and sometimes people). Ye
More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Apr 10, 2008
Suzi
rated it: 
Everything you ever wanted to know (and not know) about bullfighting. If you've read Moby Dick, you'll have a idea about how an author can obsess about a particular human activity, in detail, and one goes along for the ride because in that obsessive examination is a clue to what the author feels is important in some aspect of humanity. Again, Hemingway is a sucker for the Spanish way of seeing life and death and courage. Hemingway, through bullfighting, somehow finds a florid display of peop
More...
Apr 07, 2010
Steve
rated it: 
The bullfight was every bit as controversial an institution when Ernest Hemingway's now much neglected Death in the Afternoon was first published in 1932 as it is today. The difference is that It may be closer to extinction today than it was then. At the very beginning of the book Hemingway writes:
I suppose, from a modern moral point of view, that is, a Christian point of view, the whole bullfight is indefensible; there is much cruelty, there is always danger, either sought or unlookMore...
2 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Sep 22, 2011
Steve
rated it:
Whatever one's views on bullfighting—even the author himself admitted that it was more tragedy than sport—this book must be considered preeminent in its field. If I had to reduce my Hemingway collection to one, this is the book I'd keep. It's a reference work (complete with glossary) that reads like a novel, and there's even ninety-plus pages of black-and-white photographs at the end that tell a stark and unflinchingly realistic tale all their own.
Hemingway's reason for writing the boo More...
Hemingway's reason for writing the boo More...
Sep 22, 2009
Chris
rated it: 
This book is better in what it intends to do rather than what it achieves.
One should think that of all writers, Hemingway would be the ideal person to delve into the beauty and majesty of bull-fighting, and he certainly was knowledgible. The issue for me comes for several angles.
First, the book is in desperate need of structuring, and the aid of a skillful editor to help guide Hemingway. Also, there is a lot of critiquing of specific fighters that are repetative and mean nothi More...
One should think that of all writers, Hemingway would be the ideal person to delve into the beauty and majesty of bull-fighting, and he certainly was knowledgible. The issue for me comes for several angles.
First, the book is in desperate need of structuring, and the aid of a skillful editor to help guide Hemingway. Also, there is a lot of critiquing of specific fighters that are repetative and mean nothi More...
Mar 29, 2011
Mary
rated it:
First of all: Ferdinand made a smart choice!
I couldn't and didn't follow the technicalities of bullfighting,
which Hemingway loved as others love to follow football or baseball
statistics. But his character analysis is great--of bullfighters, bulls,
and also of spectators with their range of reactions. He strings a sketchy
narrative on an old lady who loves her first bullfight and wants him to
explain it all. When she needs a rest from that subject, h More...
I couldn't and didn't follow the technicalities of bullfighting,
which Hemingway loved as others love to follow football or baseball
statistics. But his character analysis is great--of bullfighters, bulls,
and also of spectators with their range of reactions. He strings a sketchy
narrative on an old lady who loves her first bullfight and wants him to
explain it all. When she needs a rest from that subject, h More...
Feb 10, 2012
Geoff
rated it:
I'm not sure how to rate this. Hemmingway doesn't apologize for the bloodshed or shy away from uncomfortable topics. He's well acquainted with the injury and death to both animals and humans, and it doesn't temper his enjoyment of the sport. His enthusiastic interest in the art and technical aspects of bullfighting is contagious.
The writing is up and down, mostly solid Hemmingway with occasional moments of desperately needing an editor. The strongest writing and the most interesting m More...
The writing is up and down, mostly solid Hemmingway with occasional moments of desperately needing an editor. The strongest writing and the most interesting m More...
Oct 10, 2011
Tattushenoi
rated it:
Honestly I took up this book going by the title and thought it to be some murder mystery! ;) But it turned out to be somewhat similar , but not as I thought. There was murder and there was thrill. But the book was non-fictional and an exhaustive explanation and view on famous or notorious Spanish Bullfighting.
I am reading Hemingway after a long time and I couldn't recollect what kind of an author he was. He seems to be somewhat interested a bit too much in himself or his writing. Bu More...
I am reading Hemingway after a long time and I couldn't recollect what kind of an author he was. He seems to be somewhat interested a bit too much in himself or his writing. Bu More...
Oct 08, 2011
Alyssa
rated it:
I am very hit and miss with Hemingway, seeming to really enjoy or dislike his work. "The Sun Also Rises" is probably within my top ten for "Literature" and enjoyed other works such as "The Garden of Eden," yet I also have not cared more for other stories such as "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Sadly, "Death in the Afternoon" falls into the later catagory. The subject of the book-- informing the reader about bullfighting-- is not my favorite by any mea
More...
Jan 27, 2009
Ursula
rated it:
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I picked this up, but I thought if I were to read about bullfighting, Hemingway might be a good choice as a guide. I had no idea it would be so detailed.
I feel like I came away from it understanding the structure of a bullfight, the environment, the emotion. I was fascinated by his descriptions of proper killing, the work of the picadores and banderilleros (who I didn't even know existed before), and all the moves that a matador may perform, More...
I feel like I came away from it understanding the structure of a bullfight, the environment, the emotion. I was fascinated by his descriptions of proper killing, the work of the picadores and banderilleros (who I didn't even know existed before), and all the moves that a matador may perform, More...
Oct 19, 2011
Einschrein
rated it:
I read this mostly to understand the fascination with bullfighting, which today (at least for Americans in Pamplona) seems like a deadly spring break vacation (for the bulls anyway). For Hemingway, and perhaps for Spaniards since the practice began, bullfighting represented a controlled way to defy death, to be God-like in taking a life, and somehow trandscending immortality, even if temporarily. (Those of you out there that study group dynamics, it seems as simple as the biblical practice of sc
More...
Feb 14, 2010
Sean
rated it:
For anyone who has ever been interested in bull fights, Death in the Afternoon is for you. Hemingway's explanation of the toreo is filled with humor and wit, but also gives an informative perspective on Spain's oldest cultural spectacle. While it is sometimes difficult to separate Hemingway's casual jokes with actual facts, this piece of non-fiction is some of Hemingway's most humorous writing.
While some may not be interested in this book because they disagree with the treatment of More...
While some may not be interested in this book because they disagree with the treatment of More...
Dec 30, 2009
Kerry
rated it:
I think that if I had been reading a paper copy of this, or even just listening to it in the car, I would have been bored. But I had it on whilst I painted and re-painted twenty (20) kitchen cabinet doors, and I enjoyed it.
I think I really like Hemingway. And I learned a lot about bullfighting. And now I would like to see a bullfight; but since Hemingway bemoans the current state of "modern" bullfighting in 1932, who knows what it's like now.
The narrator wa More...
I think I really like Hemingway. And I learned a lot about bullfighting. And now I would like to see a bullfight; but since Hemingway bemoans the current state of "modern" bullfighting in 1932, who knows what it's like now.
The narrator wa More...
Jul 25, 2011
I picked this up cheap and second hand as a student and I was pleasantly surprised how interesting it was with its details of how matadors train and learn their technique from mock fighting with cows, to the set up of the ring and how the event is structured to ensure the death of the bull.
There is no interest though in the whys of bull fighting, why this sacrificial event developed in Spain and why not elsewhere and a couple of totally irrelevant anecdotes suggests that the author h More...
There is no interest though in the whys of bull fighting, why this sacrificial event developed in Spain and why not elsewhere and a couple of totally irrelevant anecdotes suggests that the author h More...
Dec 01, 2008
Allison
rated it:
Not his best. I should point out that I've only read The Sun Also Rises and A Moveable Feast. I should also point out that I didn't read this for the bullfighting, which I have zero interest in, but for his ruminations on Spain, writing, and life. Seeing as how the bullfighting was the point--but it's supposed to serve as a metaphor for the latter, right?--this probably hampered my enjoyment. I should also, also point out that I only skimmed this book. So you'd probably be right to take my respo
More...
Apr 20, 2011
Carles
rated it:
Es tracta d'un assaig sobre la tauromàquia pensat originalment per explicar tot aquest món als americans. De fet el llibre no va ser traduït al castellà fins fa pocs anys tot i que és original del 1932. Hemingway es mostra irònic davant algunes situacions però sovint adopta un punt de vista objectiu, reflexionant tal com ho faria una persona sense prejudicis de cap mena que mostrés curiositat. La manera com descriu "la tragèdia" en si, desprèn una gran passió per les corridas que no
More...
Jul 27, 2011
Ronald
rated it:
A very thorough analysis of bullfighting and its societal tangents in Spain during the early 20th century. It even contained a glossary of bullfighting terms and a schedule of events in Spain's various cities. Hemingway was often cruel in his criticism of the matadors and seemed to get some delight from the squeamish reactions of novice spectators at seeing horses disemboweled in the corrida. This book had been added to my list with all of Hemingway's books after enjoying his novel Garden of Ede
More...
Sep 30, 2011
Adrian
rated it:
Hemingway continues to amaze me as an author, and if there is any voice I want writing my non-fiction, it is certainly his, but that is not to say that I need to read an entire book about the ins and outs of bull fighting. This truly could be "Bull Fighting for Dummies: A Complete and Boring History of the Brutal Activity Considered to be an Art Form According to Mr. Hemingway" if that title weren't too long. I tip my hat to the man for taking on something so risky and experimental in
More...
May 14, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
I got about halfway through this - and I would like to read the rest someday, but it doesn't have much of a narrative to keep you moving along, so I think it will be something I continue to dip into. The Dangerous Summer also contains some great writing on bullfighting, and is set around the narrative of Hemingway's travels one summer and a rivalry between two great bullfighters, which makes it more engaging reading. I would start with that, and if you want to read more about bullfighting, the
More...
May 21, 2010
Patrick
rated it:
From Amazon:
Hemingway was young when he wrote this, about 30. However, he would have had to be a man of 70 who had devoted his entire life to bullfighting to have written this in the way he would have wanted us to believe.
He had lots of help. The book is chockablock with bullfighting history, and Ernie would have us think he was there during most of it. Sure, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But he had others weigh in with information in this book, which is okay. But bel More...
Hemingway was young when he wrote this, about 30. However, he would have had to be a man of 70 who had devoted his entire life to bullfighting to have written this in the way he would have wanted us to believe.
He had lots of help. The book is chockablock with bullfighting history, and Ernie would have us think he was there during most of it. Sure, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But he had others weigh in with information in this book, which is okay. But bel More...
Apr 21, 2008
Max
rated it:
When I walked over to my classic cases, trying to decide which book I'll read next, I looked over to the authors that really needed to be read. I narrowed down my choices to Hemingway and Faulkner. I've read more Faulkner than Hemingway and he's been more hit and miss for me. Reading Faulker for me was torturous at times. I labored to get through each Faulknerian sentence. So I naturally leaned towards the Hemingway collection.
And grabbed DITA. I had no idea what it was about. On the cove More...
And grabbed DITA. I had no idea what it was about. On the cove More...
Nov 20, 2007
Keith
rated it:
"When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature. If a writer can make people live there may be no great characters in his book, but it is possible that his book will remain as a whole; as an entity; as a novel. If the people the writer is making talk of old masters; of music; of modern painting; of letters; or of science then they should talk about those subjects in the novel. If they do not talk of those subjects and the wr
More...
Jul 18, 2011
Lyn
rated it:
Hemingway's classic treatise on Spanish bullfighting. Connor and I watched some fights on Youtube and he said, "WHAT??? They actually kill the bulls?" In this age of PETA and Michael Vick it was strange to read. This 80 year old glimpse into Old World savagery was not Hemingway's greatest work, but it demonstrated his technical skill and mastery of the language. To mimic his criticism, it was a good book, the reading of it was very fine.
Dec 17, 2009
Kristi
rated it:
I read this book after a trip to Spain. We toured the bull ring in Seville, and while we didn't see a bullfight, the guide's description was intriguing. She recommended this book as the absolute guide to the art of the bullfight. While some of the photos are gruesome (thank goodness they are early 20th century, poor resolution and black and white) they are necessary to explain all there is to know. I have gone back and re-read sections as Hemmingway's text is so visual.
I will be givi More...
I will be givi More...
Feb 09, 2012
Brian
rated it:
One of the first books i have read by Ernest Hemingway, there is a lot of history surrounding Spain's torero's, and the different bullfights taken place that are becoming very hard to find out in the internet and other sources. It teaches one about passion and understanding and Hemingway's use of descriptive symbolism's makes it easy to relate issues that happen in the current world today.
Mar 29, 2010
Acc13
rated it:
Indulgent at parts (contrived conversations with "old woman"), meandering at others, and totally lost me with esoteric laundry lists of regional bull breeds and sparsely-punctuated, one-sentence 1930's-bullfighter-strength-weakness-bullets; but overall, I learned a lot about a fascinating blood-ritual/art.
Wish I had read it before seeing my first bullfight (which I actually enjoyed).
Wish I had read it before seeing my first bullfight (which I actually enjoyed).
Oct 07, 2009
Jill
rated it:
Even though the bulls and matadors discussed by Hemmingway in this book are long gone, this is a must read before going to a bull fight in Spain. Hemmingway is quintessential Hemmingway--comparing the enjoyment of watching a bullfight to learning to drink wine. He also laments the loss of many a great matador to syphlis. He details the three acts of a bull fight and the stages a bull must pass through. Actually, he details a lot about the bull fight, from the breed characteristics of bulls f
More...
Jun 14, 2008
Frederik
rated it:
J´aurai voulu lire ce livre pendant très longtemps et je n´ai pas lu Hemingway depuis 8 ans - donc maintenant est le temps pour le faire. C´est un texte qui essaie d´aller au-delá tous les préjugés et démasquer tous les aspects philosophiques derrière la Corrida.
Mais, il faut l´avouer, après un certain moment, ca devient fatigant de lire toutes les explications sur la manière á laquelle les toreaux utilisent leurs cornes et le courage des "Matadors" machistes. A recommande More...
Mais, il faut l´avouer, après un certain moment, ca devient fatigant de lire toutes les explications sur la manière á laquelle les toreaux utilisent leurs cornes et le courage des "Matadors" machistes. A recommande More...
Jan 21, 2011
Ke
rated it:
The last chapter is my favorite, because it doesn't get technical (all the descriptions of the matadores and picadores felt a laundry list) and last chapter is about what Hemingway likes about Spain.
The writing advice was quite helpful, even though some of it are well-known now.
The device of the old lady didn't work for me, she seems to be too stereotypical.
The writing advice was quite helpful, even though some of it are well-known now.
The device of the old lady didn't work for me, she seems to be too stereotypical.
