Hemingway and Five Skies
Posted by Mark Shaw on July 27, 2008
Hey, hemingwaywantabes, if you have not read Five Skies by author Ron Carlson, do so immediately. Some reviewers of the book compare Carlson’s prose to that of Hemingway and they are right on point. And what reviews – raves all around from some of the most important reviewers in the country.
On the surface, the book seems to be a “man’s book,” but it is much more than that. Through Carlson’s perspective, we learn about three men who have hidden secrets but meet in the Rocky Mountains with different agendas towards their future. Each must battle demons haunting them, but through work and friendship, they learn what is really important about life. Above all, the book is a terrific love story, one that you will read as quickly as possible to learn what occurs to Carlson’s compelling characters.
And, perhaps best of all, Carlson’s writing technique, certainly “Hemingwayesque” in manner, is terrific as a learning tool for all aspiring authors. Don’t read it once, read it twice!!
Cliff Burns said
Too many toffee-nosed types look down on Hemingway and that’s unfortunate. The concluding pages of FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS are about as good as it gets in literature. And the short stories still sing even after all these years. And what’s wrong with writing for and about men? Reams of “chick lit” novels are being released, what’s wrong with a little “dick lit” if it means popularizing authors like Mr. Carlson and someone I’ve been enjoying a lot lately, Ron Hansen (the guy who wrote THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES)?
Mark Shaw said
Why do you think there are so many “toffee-nosed types” out there who condemn Hemingway and anyone who writes like he did?