The Lost Generation never dies.

As a 20th century American novel fan, I have not found a book that represents the Lost Generation in a truer, better light than "The Sun Also Rises". Perhaps it is autobiographical in the sense that all characters are real. Perhaps it is Hemingway's style. I do not know.

This book focuses on the travels of Jake (Hemingway himself) and his relationships with his friends, the other characters. It is composed of minor plots but they all revolve around the theme of realism. Every character in the book is realistic and the one who is not is portrayed as a failure, no matter how successful he actually is.

It is true that the book can get a bit dull at times because of all its purposeless conversations and descriptions, however, don't forget that the Lost Generation (at least Jake and some of his friends) is searching for purposes in life and they can only prevent themselves from being hurt by being completely realistic with each other and through drinking.

Jake's relationship with Brett (the woman he loves but they cannot be together because Jake is impotent after the War.) is one of the highlights in the book. It really shows how life is never perfect and to be even more cruel, there is nothing they can do about it.

Even though I do not think there is actually a resolution in the end, the book ends with the young bullfighter representing a new code of living -the way of living that the Lost Generation has been looking for.

Hemingway also spends a lot of pages talking about bullfighting -one of his favorite activities.

To truly fathom this book, one has to see everything through the eyes of Jake, otherwise most of the things they do will seem silly and pointless. Once you got the hang of it, you will really appreciate Hemingway's cleverness with everything in the book, from the word choice to what happen. Everything is there for a reason.

One really special thing about the book is that the attitudes and the way of life of the characters still exist nowadays, and in a way, I feel that the Lost Generation will never really die. It can be a book that makes you wonder about your purpose in life and everyone around you.

I try not to give away too much of the plot in my review so you can find out for yourself when you read it.