Does anyone agree with Gore Vidal's assessment of Hemingway as a Novelist.

[hjortur]

Spot on. I have read his books so often for the sole purpose of trying to get what people like about him. His style was nice in The Sun Also Rises but from there he has not really impressed. I don't find it bad that he mostly writes about himself, it makes the narrative more believable but the later ones fail to catch me every time.

[Geoffrey]

I've found the ss are the best he's written. I've read his novel of WWWI and found it too meandering to be a good read, whereas the short stories are cogent, economical, and direct-the best in world literature, equalled only by Chekov.

[Larry]

Karl wrote: "I think he might have a point, but then again I just smoked an incredible amount of weed--so I digress! Hemingway is the best writer ever and Gore is just mad that he could never do him (sexually) or out-do him (as a writer) Thank You!

[Larry]

Geoffrey wrote: "Gore Vidal has had a history of denigrating the competition. He`s had classic battles with other American writers-one in particular back in the 70`s and I believe it was with Capote, (correct me if..." You get Papa write--I mean right!

[Zardoz]

Was Hemingway an ass. Yes he was, but damn he could write. I don't judge a writer on whether I would like him or her in real life, but on their finished product.
For me it's his descriptions of food and nature that resonate. I love most of everything he wrote.
Having said that I didn't like A Farewell to Arms. Which is considered one of his best.

[Joshua]

Hemingway was the author that turned me on to literature. Before that I thought all literature was just pretentious wind bags of someone's opinion. I've read I think 4 of his novels and the collection of short stories and a number of his other works are on my want to read list. Vidal I had never heard of until this thread. That has to say something.

[Geoffrey]

Vidal is considered one of the better authors that came out of the 60´s. His best book was Myra Beckinridge about a transgender. It´s a good book and considering how much that issue is in the news today, recommended reading. Other than that, he will never enter the supreme hall of writing fame, but merely was a writer much above the crowd.

Joshua, there is nothing pretentious about giving one´s opinions. What to you is a bag of wind, to those of us who are more literary inclined, excellent writing.