46 pages 1 hour read

Ernest Hemingway

The Garden of Eden

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1986

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Garden of Eden by Ernest Hemingway follows the story of newlyweds David, an American writer, and Catherine, the daughter of a wealthy British family, as they navigate complex emotions and unconventional desires during their honeymoon in the south of France and Spain. Their relationship further complicates when they meet Marita, leading to explorations of gender roles and sexuality. Includes themes of mental health struggles and intimate relationships.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ernest Hemingway's novel The Garden of Eden receives mixed reviews. Critics appreciate its exploration of complex gender roles and psychological depth, but some find its unfinished feel and repetitive prose lacking the polish of Hemingway's earlier works. The narrative offers an intriguing yet divisive take on love and identity, attracting both praise and critique for its originality and execution.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Garden of Eden?

A reader who enjoys deeply complex character studies and themes of love, desire, and identity will find Ernest Hemingway's The Garden of Eden compelling. Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night or D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover will appreciate the intimate, psychological exploration in Hemingway's posthumous novel.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Romance

Classic Fiction

American Literature

Themes

Identity: Gender

Topics

LGBTQ

History: World