I'm surprised by how many adults I meet that have never read a book by Ernest Hemingway. This is even the case amongst people that really like reading. This surprised me, because he is one of the most well-known American authors of all-time, and probably the most notable of the 20th century--although there is a strong case to be made for Faulkner. If you have never read a Hemingway novel, then here is the best one to start with.
The Sun Also Rises
When I think of Ernest Hemingway, I think of Spain. Then Paris. If you have read all of his novels, you’ll probably understand this.
And then I think of what I consider to be his masterpiece: The Sun Also Rises.
It is one of those novels that I can pick up any time and go to any place in the book and just be able to read and read. It is just the quintessential Hemingway novel: late night drinking, European travel, bullfighting, a beautiful woman, Spain and Paris.
The only thing really missing is hunting big game in Africa.
There is just something about The Sun Also Rises that really resonates with me. It is written very well, of course, but the story is so intriguing that it is hard to put down. The characters are fleshed-out the perfect amount and everything seems to fall into place.
If you have yet to read this book, then I recommend you pick it up. If you read only one book by Ernest Hemingway, then read The Sun Also Rises.