The SUN ALSO RISES

Set in post-WWI Europe, The Sun Also Rises captures the disillusionment and emotional struggle of the Lost Generation through the eyes of war-injured Jake Barnes and the alluring Brett Ashley.

Set against the backdrop of 1920s Paris and the bullfighting arenas of Pamplona, Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises delves into the lives of American and British expatriates grappling with the disillusionment following World War I. Central to the narrative are Jake Barnes, a war-injured journalist, and Lady Brett Ashley, a spirited and emotionally complex woman. Their journey through Spain during the Festival of San Fermín exposes the group’s fractured relationships and their quest for meaning in a post-war world.

Hemingway’s signature terse prose captures themes of masculinity, love, and existential despair, reflecting the sentiments of the Lost Generation. As the novel approaches its centennial anniversary on October 22, 2026, it continues to resonate with readers, offering insights into the human condition and the search for purpose amidst chaos.

In anticipation of the 100th anniversary, several publishers have released special editions of The Sun Also Rises. For instance, Copperhead Press announced a forthcoming edition featuring illustrations by Juan Gris, a master of cubist and modernist art. Additionally, the Hemingway Society is organizing a panel titled “The Sun Also Rises at 100” at the 2026 Modern Language Association Convention in Toronto, inviting scholarly discussions on the novel’s enduring relevance.