I recently finished Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises - which is based on Hemingway's own group of friends and their trips to Spain.
The book is set in the 1925 and depics a bunch of Americans and Brits in their late 20s/early 30s who are traveling around France and Spain, getting drunk, dancing, fornicating and watching macho things like bullfighting. The amount of alcohol these guys drink is criminal. It almost sounds like the 1920's version of a modern day trip to Ibiza. But what is different?
Unlike in Ibiza, where you're likely to bump into at least some pleasant and basically nice people, there isn't a single likeable character in the book. The men are to varying degrees whining cucks and sore losers, and the (only) female main character, Brett, is shamelessly promiscuous and relies on other people's money (usually however she is bedding at the time). What a bunch of people to go partying with.
The only character with something resembling success, both professionally and as a man, is the 19 year old Spanish bullfighter. But even he is so insecure and immature that he wanted to marry the 34 year old, twice divorced and sexually liberated Brett, who will never be faithful to him. But he's still in a totally different league to the rest of the men - who are 5-15 years older than him, haven't achieved much in life that wasn't bought by their parent's money or connections, and are almost drooling at the 19 year old bullfighter's achievements and good looks. What a bunch of losers.
No, I was not impressed. I need some likeable characters to root for.
However, this is the first time I have read a realistic description of getting drunk and trying to sleep whilst drunk. This books describes everything exactly as it is. That hasn't changed in 100 years.
