Islands in the Stream

Wow. What a disappointment. Take away the endless highly detailed drinking scenes and you are left with not much. I guess if you want to get insight into the world of a hopeless alcoholic wasting his talent, you might like this book, but that is not what the book is about. Pitiful really

Maybe I'm skipping the good stuff, but somehow Ernest stirs me only slightly. I've visited his former digs on Key West --- cats, cats --- and I should feel some enthusiasm, but the excitement escapes me. Solid potential is left at the starting gate.

This work, like most of Hemingway's work, is extremely 'blokey' in style and subject matter. Fishing, fighting, drinking and war form the backdrop. And yet despite the fact that these are emphatically 'not my thing' I kept on reading. And although I somewhat lost the drift of the finer points of manoeuvres in the German occupied Cuban keys, (and did find my attention slightly wandering, if I'm honest), I have to give it a *4.
This is the story of Tom Hudson, a painter on the Bahaman island of Bimini in the 30s. Twice divorced, he looks forward to the visit of his three sons...
In the second part, it's a few years later, WWII is here, and we meet Tom on shore leave in Cuba .
And in the third section, Tom is leading a crew as they try to flush out a German boat in the mangrove swamps of the keys...
I knew this was a strong book when a certain something happens and you hadn't seen it coming and feel like you've been punched in the stomach. There's a lot of dialogue, through which you feel you're getting to know the characters. Also moments of real humour, which again bring the people more vvidly to life.
Re-read the first part when you know how the story pans out: it tears you apart.

To this reader, the best thing about this book is the humor.

Like most young writers, Hemingway took himself seriously. Like some of us, that loosened up with age.

It shows in this book. The laughs are here and crisp and new. He has stopped taking himself so seriously. The beauty of

the beach and sea scenes lighten the book. With his magic, you can see the white driftwood scoured by sand, as he

put it, and the changing colors of the cream-and-green surf.

Meanwhile, Thomas Hudson and his three sons and cronies laugh, drink and remember.

Hemingway's words and touch are sure. There is seldom a failed word or an empty phrase. The macho posturing of some of

his works seem to have ripened into something more peaceful.

We start with wonderful beach scenes and laughter. As the sun sets, the humor edges. A drunk challenges one crony

to a fight over practically nothing. He writes about the fight like nobody else could. As the story continues, it becomes

a reunion and possibly a love story between two of the fast international set.

The second piece deals with the long gray day of grief over a loved one lost. Stoic and quiet, Thomas goes through

his day, trying not to think about the past. Hemingway, a wounded teenager in war who suffered lifelong nightmares,

knew his territory.

The third part, in this reader's eye, the weakest, deals with Thomas hunting Nazi sailors with his crew of drinkers and

sportsmen and Marines. The sure touch is still there but the first part remains the strongest and most individual.

---------- Frank Hickey, writer of the Max Royster crime novels in Pigtown Books.

In Hemingway’s most unedited novel and direly in need of it, Islands in the Stream is a 3 part storyline that is stated to mimic a character not unlike Hemingway himself. The tale begins in the Bahamas, featuring plenty of alcohol and mixed drinks, and at least in my opinion works on a theme where men in boredom are attracted to occurrences of violence that seem to provide the only meaningful thing in their lives. The main Hemingway-esque character, Thomas Hudson, shows an odd indifference to his children all the while, but also an honest characterization of how most fathers are to their children. In Cuba, Hudson shows a similar indifference to women, preferring the drink instead and there is overwhelming excess of him ordering various beverages with 1, 2 or 3 shots of alcohol and drinking them. The climax of the novel and last of the storyline picks up with Hudson on a submarine as captain. The dialogue similarly reaches its climax here and the characters are well developed, all through dialogue alone, and the conversation strong, realistic and very witty. In fact I was so impressed by it I can only assume Hemingway is re-telling past exchanges he may have heard in the military. I ended the novel with only one theme that I felt took far too long to tell, certainly one that could have been accomplished in less than 450 pages. But, Hemingway never was able to edit it having died before its publication, and indeed it may have been prematurely published in an unfinished form by his widowed wife.

Although for some critics, Heminway's star was starting to fade by the 1970's, with much avante-grade literature overshadowing the muscular, bold style Hemingway used throughout the 1930's- 1950's, "Islands in the Stream" stands as a great novel, alongside such works as "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "The Old Man and the Sea". Hemingway had mentioned on several occasions that he had a few unfinished works left sitting in a bank vault, to be "insurance policies" for his wife and family when he passed away. "Islands in the Stream" was published posthumously in 1970 and didn't gain much attention- yet it has aged very well and I believe is one of greatest novels.

Here we see a mature Hemingway, describing life on a small island (presumably Bimini, where he often went to fish, drink and carouse with other hearty fishermen) and the exploits of Thomas Hudson, an artist (painter) who interestingly shares many of Hemingway's own thoughts on life and art. Hemingway often described his writing in relation to great painting, works by the Impressionists, notably Cezanne and in this book, we get a sense that Hemingway has finally made the link between the two arts. The story is split between Hudson's spending time with his sons who are visiting and adventures on the open ocean, including a section where he is hunting for Nazis during World War II who appear to be hiding out in some nearby mangrove swamps. Hemingway actually did hunt for Nazis on his boat- Pilar- so this book has large sections of his own life injected for the reader's interest and analysis.

This book shows wonderful writing, a style that has matured and is strengthened by the wealth of world experiences Hemingway had by the time he was in his 50's....and it shows a side of him we rarely see- humor. There are a few sections which genuinely rate a chcukle...and that is somewhat rare in most of his works. The plot keeps the reader glued to every sentence near the end, as we suspect Hudson will die...and he mentions he'll never be able to paint the great painting he always wanted to complete...similar to hemingway's personal fear that he would never write the great book which would carry him into immortality...Yet- he accomplised this feat with "Islands in the Stream"...and this ranks as my favorite book by him. If you haven't read this one and have enjoyed many of his other novels- you truly need to read this book...It will show you a side of Hemingway you may never have seen before...and hopefully will give you an even greater appreciation for his talents....

- by Gene Pisasale
Author, "Vineyard Days"

To Syliva and all other young people attempting to stamp this author and his writing with your pitiful political correctness ..... This guy was a real mans' man in his time ...Wrote for men in a time when that style of writing was very appreciated. Not saying it fits today, but please stop trying to re-write history.... Accept his talents for being great in a time when his approach was in fact correct in the society he lived in. Personally, I feel the pendelum needs to swing back in the other direction as it has certainly swung way too far left. Great book by a really great author.

"Islands in the Stream" was published posthumously in 1970 and did not receive anywhere near the attention that "The Old Man and the Sea" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" garnered- yet this novel ranks right at the top of a list of his finest works. Hemingway had worked on the manuscript for several years, tentatively titling it "Air, Land and Sea", as he wanted to incorporate his many travels and his love of sport fishing- as well as his fascination with war and death- into a massive work which might someday become his magnum opus. Because Hemingway's star began to fade with some critics in the literary crowd in the 1970's, "Islands in the Stream" got at best mixed reviews. However, anyone who wants to see the mature Hemingway, describing his love of his children, his favorite hobbies (sailing and fishing) and even enjoy rare humor from this author will truly enjoy this great book.

The novel highlights the main character- Thomas Hudson- this time an artist- who lives on an island in the Caribbean and rarely spends time with his sons- but welcomes them when he sees them....and enjoys a special time out on the open seas trying to catch a huge fish....These scenes are wonderfully portrayed and we see a side of Hemingway we rarely see...Another major focus of the book is the hunt for Germans who have invaded a nearby island during World War II...and we see Hemingway at his daring best....with intrigue right to the very last page of the novel....

"Islands in the Stream" is a superb book- my favorite book by Hemingway....It ranks with his very best works...and I hope that readers around the world who are new to Hemingway- or have only read his "best sellers"- will pick this one up and enjoy it as well...It is worth the read....and stands as his crowning achievement, which was completed by his wife after his death. He would be proud....
-Gene Pisasale
Author of "Vineyard Days"

This was a very frustrating book at times. It was divided into three sections and at the beginning of every new section there were all new character, or almost all new characters. For a while you were left wondering what happened to the old characters but then you began to like the new characters. The entire book was very well written and the sections were all very striking. They built on Thomas Hudson's grief making it greater after every section. The ending was very striking because you both knew that there was nothing that would change what was happening and that it was very true for the main character. "Oh shit." Willie said. "You never understand people that love you." It made the end very final and sad, the character was never going to experience the one thing he loved any more, painting and his joy, his children were dead. The anti Submarine activity he had to achieve was complete. This was a book I put off reading for a long time because it was about an artist and didn't seem at first glance to be as well developed as the other Hemingway books. After reading it, the book seems more mature, but the main character was left with nothing at the end like in most of the books I've read by Hemingway.

“Islands in the Stream” was published in 1970, roughly 9 years after Ernest Hemingway's death.
In it, Hemingway tells the story of Thomas Hudson, a painter, amateur fisherman, drinker and adventurer. You can almost smell that it is loosely based on Hemingway himself.
This book can be divided into three parts. The first, which I think contains some of Hemingway’s best writing, takes place on a small island. The main theme of it is Thomas Hudson’s relationship with his sons and the island life. The writing is very powerful, and it can truly carry you away and fully absorb you in the idle life of the island.
The second and third parts are not a continuation of part one, but rather different periods of Thomas Hudson’s life when the only connecting thread is Thomas Hudson himself. As always, the writing is very powerful. However, I found them to be not nearly as good as part one.  

_Islands in the Stream_ is my favorite novel by Ernest Hemingway. Like most of his works, the prose is relatively sparse but very readable and very entertaining. It is also one of his most definitive novels in terms of revealing his true thoughts on the subject of life, death, and tragedy. Some of this may not be obvious at the onset of the book; the most important events establishing the theme of this novel do not occur until later, culminating in a surprising and disturbing ending. Of course I will not reveal this ending, so I will give you a brief rundown of the initial setting and cast: The novel takes place on the Bimini Islands off the coast of Florida. The main character is a hard-drinking, hard-partying, womanizing landscape painter, the ideal Hemingway character. Also in typical Hemingway fashion, his seemingly idyllic and glamorous existence is marred by heartbreak and tragedy. There is action and suspense when the protagonist embarks on his WW-II era, anti-nazi submarine hunting missions off the coast of Cuba. But the ending is the definitive part of this work. It has much to say about Hemingway's spiritual beliefs, which is rare because much of his mysterious prose is very reserved in this regard. I highly recommend this book to both Hemingway fans and fans of literature in general.

Islands in the Stream is two excellent novels surrounded by a mediocore one. It is divided into three sections or books. Section one which deals withThomas Hudsons sons coming for a summer visit is excellent particularily the middle sons battle with a swordfish and how the father the other sons and two family friends react to this baptism into manhood challenge. The third section about Hudson leading a search for German spies around Cuba is also well done especially in showing the interactions between Hudson and his crew members. In fact Hudson is one of Hemingways most compelling characters. The middle section is mediocore and tedious with a lot of empty philosophizing and stitled and unnatural dialogue as Hudson interacts with people in a Havana bar.The main person he relates to a prostitute friend named Honest Lil is thoroughly uncompelling. So you get two five star sections and a two star section and what do you end up with?a 4 star novel that could have been a true masterpiece

A posthumously published novel, this book is in three rather disjointed parts. By far the best section is the first, "Bimini." Thomas Hudson, a painter living on Bimini, is visited by his three teenaged sons. They have a good-old time together, mainly fishing and swimming. One son, David, is almost attacked by a shark, and in the best scene of all, David hooks a thousand pound swordfish and fights it all day (revealing the famous Hemingway "quiet courage") until just before landing it, the fish escapes from the hook. Later two of the boys are killed in a car crash in France with their mother (Hudson's second wife).

The second section jumps ahead about 10 years to 1944 and is titled "Cuba." Hudson is now busy chasing German submarines off the island when he is not drinking double frozen daiquiris at the Floridita bar, still hurting from the death of his sons, or caring for his 11 cats (way too much is written about those lousy cats). He has now learned that his oldest son Tom has been killed in France during the war; when Tom's mother (Hudson's first wife) pays a short visit he informs her about Tom and warns her about the "numbness" she will experience for a long time.

The third part, called "At Sea," occurs only a few days later when Tom and his crew hunt down escaped Germans from a sunken submarine along the islands north of Cuba. They succeed in killing the Germans, but Hudson is fatally wounded and knows his life will soon end.

The solid, crisp Hemingway style from the pre-FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS days is in full evidence here; indeed, some of his best writing is in the "Bimini" section. He is in full command of his powers there and he develops the relationship between Hudson and his sons with great skill. But the book is obviously a patchwork of uncompleted sections of a longer, perhaps three-volume, work. There is no transition from the first part into the second, and gaps in character development occur as well. But it's hard to be totally disappointed in this book: the story (actually stories) is interesting and the writing is chiseled. It's a sad book, though, an old man's book, laced with death and memories and unfulfilled intentions. I rank it just a notch below the acknowledged masterpieces, perhaps his third or fourth best book (not counting the story collections).

Ernest Hemingway is my favorite author. It began by reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in a high school English class. The way he writes is his own. I have not read another that uses the same style Hemingway does. He is able to portray the lives of others in a way the allows the reader to understand them. I find his words to be quite similar to actual human experience. They are not romanticized or unreal.
This novel has three parts about Thomas Hudson. The first is the one I like the most. It starts out slow, but a fight and a deep fishing scene create excitement, and I couldn't put the novel down. Hemingway, a master of tragedy, creates another tragic ending. The second part is not the great, but not that bad. It deals with his life during the war and a reunion with his first wife. The third part reminds me off "For Whom the Bells Toll" because it seems more action packed than the rest of the novel. The first two parts are based on human interaction, while the third is a chase at sea for a German U-boat crew.
This is a great novel and I highly recommend it if you like Hemingway.

This book is so intensely personal that I believe that is the reason why Hemingway did not publish it in his lifetime although it was essentially complete in all particulars ten years before his death. The book stands up very well as a novel on its own, but it takes on much more meaning for those already familiar with the details of Hemingway's life.

Hemingway had a difficult relationship at times with his three sons and obviously felt bad about leaving their mothers. He did, however, love them all as this story reveals. Publication in his life, though, probably would have exacerbated his family situation. This is one posthumous book definately worth reading.

Ernest Hemingway is my favorite author. It began by reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls" in a high school English class. The way he writes is his own. I have not read another that uses the same style Hemingway does. He is able to portray the lives of others in a way the allows the reader to understand them. I find his words to be quite similar to actual human experience. They are not romanticized or unreal.
This novel has three parts about Thomas Hudson. The first is the one I like the most. It starts out slow, but a fight and a deep fishing scene create excitement, and I couldn't put the novel down. Hemingway, a master of tragedy, creates another tragic ending. The second part is not the great, but not that bad. It deals with his life during the war and a reunion with his first wife. The third part reminds me off "For Whom the Bells Toll" because it seems more action packed than the rest of the novel. The first two parts are based on human interaction, while the third is a chase at sea for a German U-boat crew.
This is a great novel and I highly recommend it if you like Hemingway.

This book is so intensely personal that I believe that is the reason why Hemingway did not publish it in his lifetime although it was essentially complete in all particulars ten years before his death. The book stands up very well as a novel on its own, but it takes on much more meaning for those already familiar with the details of Hemingway's life.

Hemingway had a difficult relationship at times with his three sons and obviously felt bad about leaving their mothers. He did, however, love them all as this story reveals. Publication in his life, though, probably would have exacerbated his family situation. This is one posthumous book definately worth reading.

Typical quintessential Hemmingway, but not his best. That designation still belongs to "The Old Man and the Sea."

This book, as all Hemingway books, is about dark, somber, sometimes drunken times. Men being men, and for the most part, having trouble with women...usually lots of women.

"Islands in the Stream" might be considered three short novellas about the life of Thomas Hudson, painter, adventurer, soldier and sometimes womanizer. Each of the three parts is an "island" in the stream of Thomas Hudson's life.

Hudson had three sons, and how he did love those sons. In the first part of the book, the story of how one of them, David, fought and fought a big fish is similar to The Old Man and the Sea. Rather than being about age and experience, this story is about youth and rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, what the boy learns about himself while fighting the fish, and how beautifully and artfully his father and his friend let the boy navigate that rite of passage. This one part alone makes reading the book worthwhile.

It is a book that will linger, especially Hudson and his sons, and most especially the effort to land that big fish.

I loved this book. The writing was elegant, straight forward, and vivid. Hemingway is an incredible writer I really like his style of writing. It is the story of Thomas Hudson and his life in the tropics from the Bahamas to Havana and in general all around the Keys. Ive been to the to Keys many times so I can relate to most of the descriptions he gives and I found this to be very interesting and thoroughly entertaining.

Apart from the excellent setting this book has a gripping plot and I do not think anyone could say that Sir Hudson leads a boring life. If you liked The Old Man and the Sea then you are bound to like this. Highly recommend it I had a hard time putting it down.

For those aquainted with Hemingway's work, it is easily seen that "Islands" represents the culmination of his talent. Those familiar with his work will find threads of thought similar to his other books, complete with the emotional conflict so authentic that it infects the reader.Hemingway draws from the entire breadth of his writing career, from the simple happiness of the "Nick Adams Stories," to the fatalistic bravery of "For Whom the Bell Tolls." Also to be found in this story are the barren souls of "The Sun Also Rises" and the intense zest for life inherent in all his writings. I believe that because Mr. Hemingway chose to write "Islands in the Stream" without reserve in this manner is why it became his most autobiographical story. "Islands" provides a singularly complete look into how he experienced life. A fitting end to his work.

ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (1970) is the first of Hemingway's posthumously published works. It is a loosely structured work of fiction comprising three novelettes about the Hemingwayesque protagonist Thomas Hudson and his life in the Caribbean.

A fourth novelette originally to be included in ISLANDS IN THE STREAM became Hemingway's masterwork, THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA and was published separately, receiving the Pulitzer Prize and leading to Hemingway's Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954.

Just as THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA reflects Hemingway in his full maturity (and just a little past the peak of his powers), ISLANDS IN THE STREAM is a more thoughtful and reflective work than we've seen earlier.

In "Bimini," the first novelette, we are introduced to Hudson, a contented middle-aged man who has come to terms with his inadequacies and is finding pleasure in his day-to-day life and his children. Hemingway's prose is not stirring, but it provides a perfect, measured view of Hudson and his life on the island. Hemingway's descriptions of Hudson's house, his pleasure in watching driftwood burn, and his quiet happiness are all the more powerful for their understatement. The tragedy that marks "Bimini" is far more disturbing for all that.

"Cuba" places Hudson on that island some years later during World War II. Hudson has become far more discontented, and is struggling to make peace with one of his ex-wives, again drawn together in the midst of a personal tragedy. Less dynamic than "Bimini," "Cuba" is still a portrait of the artist, but in the midst of war and loss and without his art.

"At Sea" takes us to the ultimate crisis of Hudson's life, encountered while hunting a Nazi submarine operating in Gulf Stream waters. Strongly reminiscent of FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, this last of the tryptych portrait is also the most powerful of the three novelettes.

ISLANDS IN THE STREAM was unfinished at the time of Hemingway's death in 1961, and was finalized by Mary Welsh Hemingway and Charles Scribner, who edited, but added nothing. A work that feels both meaningful and unfinished, ISLANDS IN THE STREAM reflects Hemingway's own inner journey.

Hemingway's protagonist in this novel favors gin with coconut water and lime, a drink he describes as cool, crisp, and clean-tasting. The writing is similar: cool and clean, stripped of unnecessary sentimentality. The book is about love and loss, and is all the more poignant because the loving and losing includes romance, family, and friendship. The descriptions of sights, smells, and tastes brings the narrative alive, while the stoicism with which Thomas Hudson, the main character, faces his grief is at once profligate, courageous, and tragic. There are also flashes of insight tinged with regret. While the second book could have easily been shortened, it works to illustrate the quiet despair Hudson's hopes to drown in daiquiris without sugar. The novel works as a whole as both a psychological drama and an adventure story - and the moments of drama, the dock and fishing scenes in the first book and the ocean chase that constitutes the third book, are indeed memorable.

Even in today's world of short attention spans and books that need to "hook" the read in the first two sentences, this old classic will please any fan of fiction. From the scene on the boat near the constable's house one night, to the spear-fishing scene to the famous deep-sea fishing scene, you will be taken away to a simpler time in a simpler world.
If you also enjoy works in film, a word of caution: skip the cinematic version of this story. While the scenery is beautiful, they absolutely butchered the story and the characters in the Hollywood treatment. One small example I will give you: Thomas Hudson (the main character) is a painter in the novel. In the movie he is an artist who makes sculptures out of pieces of rusty metal! Are you kidding me? That is just one of many deviations that make the film an entirely different animal from the book.

Although I am no Hemingway, yet, I am a relatively new author looking to make a name for myself. My first novel, recently released, is a combination of old-time Hardy Boys mystery and intrigue, mixed in with romance and temptation, along with a plot of espionage for good measure.
Please consider giving my book a try: "Donovan's Island"

Donovan's Island

Islands is part of Hemingway's posthumous body of work, published in 1970 under the auspices of his last wife, Mary Hemingway. It was carved out of the UR text that Hemingway worked on after the war, which ultimately produced (or spawned) The Old Man and the Sea, The Garden of Eden, this work, and by extension, A Moveable Feast.

Islands is a compelling novel, and in terms of structure and action, the best of the posthumous works. It drags a bit on dialogue; there are times when the reader feels he has read parts already. But beyond that, the novel stands on its own as a work, and also provides glimpses into Hemingway's post-war preoccupations. There are long mediations on the nature of art, productivity, and the act of expression. There is a longing look cast backward, toward Paris, which found greater expression in A Moveable Feast.

The novel is also unremittingly dark. We get a glimpse into the Hemingway in his declining years, as his power receded, and his depression and anxiety rose.

The protagonist, artist Thomas Hudson, is a man who endures tremendous personal loss. A truly heroic character in that he stays the course. There's a lot a drinking going on in this novel as Hudson self-medicates, but he's no "rummy," a term which refers to those bad kind of alcholics. The middle section is an extended bar scene with a lot of dialogue and barely any action. But Hudson can't ever seem to get really drunk enough to overcome his depression and angst. Outside of that, there's plenty of violence and high-sea adventure. The scene where Hudson and his son spend several hours with the boy struggling to land a big marlin is the classic initiation through sweat and blood story. It was for me the most touching moment in the book. And when his ex asks him the feared question "Is he dead?" all Hudson can manage to blurt out is "sure," like sure, you can have that reality if you want it. No father who loves his sons can read this book without being deeply touched.

(Actually, I would give this book 6 stars.) With all the controversy about "True at First Light" and the validity of posthumous works this book this is a clear, strong and memorable work. If it not exactly as Hemingway would have finished it I feel no remorse in loving this book. I think about it almost every day since I read it years ago. In the movie version Thomas Hudson was played by George C. Scott , but would have been better suited with Bill Holden. The Thomas Hudson character works off of strong contradictions, just as Holden's characters in "Sunset Boulevard" and "Stalag 17". As in "Sunset Boulevard" the main character falls, unwittingly, into a situation to which he is extremely ambivalent. Thomas Hudson is attracted and repulsed by his involvement in the war in the same way that the Bill Holden Character is attracted and repulsed by his involvement with Norma Desmond. It strikes me that this ambivalence is a very American trait, making "Islands in The Stream" and "Sunset Boulevard" two very American works of Art.

Normally I dislike work published posthumously. I have to admit though, in this case, it worked. I am not a big fan of Hemingway's major novels, but do love his short stories. Of the novels he did write, this one is probably at the top of my list.

Hemingway obviously uses himself as a starting block to weave his story. While the book did receive quite a lot of criticism when it was first published, I suspect much of that came from over paid literary critics and Jr. College "professors" who felt it was "cool" to take shots at the "Big Guy." Actually, parts of this novel contain some of Hemingways best work. I still find Hemingway the man a more interesting study than Hemingway's work, but I suppose you cannot really separate the two. All in all recommend this if your in need of a good dose of classic Hemingway. Recommend it highly.

An interesting book. I thought some segments were too long and EH woulda edited them if he was alive, but that's the deal. Structure wise, it's daring. Emotionally, it's a killer. There's one dialogue there, it's probably one of the best in the English language, certainly when speaking of the 20th century. All in all, you always get the feeling that the man wrote THE TRUTH. And that is so much to say about a writer. The last sentence is this guy Willy saying to the protagonist, 'you never did understand those who love you', you know he speaks of himself. Poor sod, hope he lives happier life now.
The book was in excellent condition, arrived punctually, everything about the purchase and delivery was shipshape. Thanx for all.

When I first read that Bruce Greenwood was reading Hemingway, I thought, "The President from 'National Treasure 2'?! The guy from J.J. Abram's 'Star Trek' movies?!" I heard William Hurt surpass my expectations for Papa's 'The Sun Also Rises', but I could not guess how much Bruce Greenwood would bring Hemingway's words to life. He breathes a vigor and personality into each character; to the point now that I don't know why he hasn't been given more of a range as an actor considering his vocal talents. I've read other people talk about Hemingway's loss of talent made so apparent by this book, but perhaps I'm being fleeced by the actor's talent to see that this is the case, but with each chapter, I'm continually inured to Brucey (we go way back) AND Mr. Hemingway (we don't go way back). I was surprised that I could not find a review of the audio book, so I wanted to throw my two pennies into the pot. 'To the aqueduct!"

This book was beautifully bitersweet to me. Thomas Hudson's life (the main character) is a story of tradgedy we've all experienced to one degree or another -- and the flicker of hope that remains when bitterness or despair sets in. As usual, the backdrop for the plot is classic Hemingway: romantic locales, adventure, insight and excellent observations on human character. I'd also like to point out that this is one of the most moving descriptions of fathers and sons (Hudson and his boys) that I've ever read in a novel. In addition there is an incredible sport fishing scene on the Gulf Stream that is the most vivid and exciting fishing account I've read. It will engross the reader totally. Without giving the story away, my only complaint was the second act of the book -- the bitter and nearly defeated Hudson living in Cuba during World War Two. Not to take away from the skill of the storytelling, but Hudson's bitterness during this part of the story is hard to ! ! witness. It left me feeling depressed at times myself. On the other hand it can be argued though that if a story has that sort of emotional effect, then it is successful. And who says stories must always be uplifiting anyways. As Hemingway experienced, as well as the rest of us -- life can be a downer at times. The dark mood of the second half is refreshed though by a dramatic, emotional and introspective ending that left a tear in my eye. I highly recommend this to the fans of Hemingway as well as anyone else -- a well done emotional journey.

As in many of his works, Hemingway once again writes of a man who stays the course through all trials and obstacles, even if it costs him his life. While similar, "Islands In the Stream" may even be said to be better than "For Whom the Bell Tolls," because it reaches further back into the protagonist's character and makes his tragic end all the more heart wrenching. "Islands" is a great representation of the aspects of Hemingway's writing. His unrequited loves, his European memories, his role as a father, all of these are shared with the reader in "Islands."

I was very suprised that this book was so incredible because I had never heard of it before I read it. I am a student writing a research paper on one of the works of Ernest Hemingway and this was the book I chose. I was discouraged by my teacher who said the book wasn't worth reading but I chose to read it anyway. I am very glad that I did now because it was very well written though each part seemed to be completely separate from each of the other parts. It was beautifully written.

Before this book, my two favorite Hemingway novels of fiction were The Old Man And The Sea (in my top three of all time!) and The Sun Also Rises.
Not any longer. Let me tell you why.
Taken as a whole, Islands In The Stream is very good, but not great. Why? Because there are three different sections to the book. The first is what makes this novel shine. At around 200 pages, the first section is a novel within the novel, and, like others have said, it DOES contain the most exciting section concerning deep sea fishing ever written. That, along with a wonderful cast of characters, makes the first section one of the greatest pieces of fiction of all time.
The second section is good, but not great, and continues the trend of bad things happening to Thomas Hudson. The third section is even more of a downer, but is exciting because of the thrill of the hunt, as Hudson chases after a damaged German U-boat.
Again, I rate book one, Bimini, better than anything Hemingway has ever written, and book two and three mearly good Hemingway, which is good enough for me!

If the first section on Bimini (the Island on the Stream [the gulf stream for those who still do not understand]) was package by itself it would have received 5 stars. Unfortunatley the latter 2 stories bring the overall rating down somewhat. That too could have been fixed through a little more editing. But regardless I would recommend buying this book to read the first section alone. It gives the depth and feel of what a child or adult on the stream experienced. I must admit when I first read this story I was horrified that the little island Bimini would get more fanfare from this. I had many memorable trips there but it's been years since. But at anytime I can pick up this book read the Bimini section and remember Brown's hotel dock, the Complete Angler, the beauty of the Ocean, the feel of the tradewinds, and the thrill of the fishing. The story of Tom Hudson life on the island almost gives one a jolt of envy that it wasn't them until the following developments that Hemingway is known for. What else can you say? If you enjoy Hemingway, the Sea, and Fishing buy it.

Ernest Hemingway's Islands in the Stream is my favorite book by Hemingway, and indeed, my favorite book. I feel that Hemingway is at his descriptive best in this book, so much so that the reader gets a genuine feel for the enviornment that the main character, Thomas Hudson, is in, and the emotions that he feels. The book is divided into three sections, each quite distinct, but working well together to show the difference in a person after particular events have taken place. The story has been referred to as Hemingway's greatest love story, but don't be mistaken; it's not your typical sap--there is much more to the story and to life than the love between a man and a woman, the story does consist of that specific type of love, but also consists of love for family, love for work, love for escape, love for life, love for home, love for self, love for friends, love for duty, and many, many more types of love. Islands in the Stream may come accross as a book "not to read" simply because it does not have the happiest of endings. Although the ending is not "happy", it is satisfying, and most importantly, realistic. Too much writing, in books, television, and movies, is meant to make you feel better, instead of meant to give you an understanding of life. If you are looking for a book that will help you better understand yourself, people, life, and love in a realistic manner, or if you just love Hemingway's beatiful articulation, this book is for you.

I had given up on Hemmingway; his too macho writing and lifestyle bored me - and then I read this amazing book - and am again fascinated by this insightful and clever writer. I am ashamed to admit that my view of Hemmingway had been influenced by the way often weak men have used him to hide behind: "No, I'm not an animal killing, family-leaving egoist; I'm a free spirit like Hemmingway".. Read this fabulous book if you want to get the popular Hemmingway-noise washed away by the great Masters own words; you'll understand men and the world a bit better for it.

I've read several Hemmingway novels, and I particularly enjoyed this story, perhaps because I imagined myself on a remote Caribbean island. The ending puzzled me somewhat, but that won't stop me from reading the book again when I can snatch a few hours for a mini escape.

Roger Weston, author of The Golden Catch

This is one of the better posthumous publications of Hemingway. It has his wonderfully distinctive style and story themes. I even recommend this over some of the novels released during Hemingway's life. A worthy part of any Hemingway collection.

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Probably my favorite Hemingway, this book, perhaps better then any of the others, has a protaganist who is most like what Ernest was and wished to be at the same time. Or maybe that is just my romantic perspective. A great read, and a highly satisfying book on whatever level you care to place it on.

hemingway's story of tom hudson the artist and his life in the caribbean is equal to anything he published when he was alive. a strong and insightful look at a somewhat taciturn man's life during ww2.

Being a posthumously published novel, and not one of HEMINGWAY'S most famous ones, I wasn't expecting to like ISLANDS IN THE STREAM as much as I did. But I think it is an absolutely brilliant novel; probably Hemingway's third best (After THE SUN ALSO RISES and A FAREWELL TO ARMS). Thomas Hudson is an interesting protagonist, and his relationship with his sons is moving, and without the cynicism that colors most of the affectionate relationships in Hemingway's work. The writing is brilliant (among the best I've ever read), and the action scenes done with artistry. I believe ISLANDS is an under-appreciated novel in Hemingway's oeuvre.