For decades, Ernest Hemingway has been regarded as one of the most iconic and important authors of the 20th century. Born in 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, Hemingway began his writing career as a journalist for the Kansas City Star before taking a career pivot toward fiction writing. He developed a distinctive writing style characterized by concise prose and understated dialogue, often referred to as the “iceberg theory” or “theory of omission,” where a lot of the underlying meaning driving his plots and characters was left unsaid and to be inferred by the reader. This is a major reason for his succinct prose and understated dialogue in many of his writings. Hemingway’s works span various genres, including novels, short stories and non-fiction, and often examine themes of war, travel, love and loss. Known for his adventurous lifestyle, Hemingway’s experiences often seeped into his writing, making his books a compelling mix of reality and fiction. Some of his most famous works include The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms and The Old Man and the Sea. This article ranks his extensive body of work, offering readers a guide to the best Ernest Hemingway books.
Hemingway Books And Short Stories In Order
Ernest Hemingway’s complete body of work includes novels, short story collections, and non-fiction works. Below is a comprehensive list of his major works:
Novels
- The Sun Also Rises (1926)
- The Torrents of Spring (1926)
- A Farewell to Arms (1929)
- To Have and Have Not (1937)
- For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940)
- Across the River and into the Trees (1950)
- The Old Man and the Sea (1952)
- Islands in the Stream (1970, posthumously)
- The Garden of Eden (1986, posthumously)
- True at First Light (1999, posthumously)
Hemingway Books And Short Stories In Order
- Three Stories and Ten Poems (1923)
- In Our Time (1925)
- Men Without Women (1927)
- Winner Take Nothing (1933)
- The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Other Stories (1961)
- The Fifth Column and Four Stories of the Spanish Civil War (1938)
- The First Forty-Nine Stories (1938)
- The Nick Adams Stories (1972)
- The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway (1987)
- Camping Out (2014)
Non-Fiction
- Death in the Afternoon (1932)
- Green Hills of Africa (1935)
- The Dangerous Summer (1985, posthumously)
- Selected Letters 1917–1961 (1981)
- Ernest Hemingway on Writing (1984)
- Dateline: Toronto (1985)
- Hemingway on Fishing (2000)
- Hemingway on War (2003)
- Under Kilimanjaro (2005)
- On Paris (2009)
Top Ernest Hemingway Novels
Ernest Hemingway wrote a total of 10 novels, with seven published during his lifetime and three published posthumously. All of Hemingway’s works have had a significant impact on the global literary landscape, especially in Europe and America, but there are a few select novels that have shaped his status as an icon of word mastery. This ranking, based on critical acclaim, cultural impact, and mainstream popularity, provides a guide to his most notable and critically acclaimed novels.
9. The Torrents of Spring (1926)
Hemingway’s The Torrents of Spring was a satirical novel that parodied the works of Hemingway’s contemporaries, particularly Sherwood Anderson’s Dark Laughter. Set in Northern Michigan, the story follows the lives of two men working at a pump factory who dream of falling in love with the perfect woman and finding true love. The novel is known for its humor and critique of the older American literary scene, showcasing Hemingway’s early experimentation with style, satire and form. Although this novel was often overshadowed by his later works, it provides valuable insight into his evolution as an ever-capable writer.
Who should read this book: Readers who enjoy satire will find this book fascinating. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
8. Islands in the Stream (1970, posthumously)
The novel Islands in the Stream was published posthumously and divided into three parts: “Bimini,” “Cuba” and “At Sea,” which follow the life of Thomas Hudson, a painter living in Bimini, as he tries to make sense of the loss of his two children and the impacts of World War II. The three-part storyline explores several heavy-ladden themes including isolation, artistic struggle and the complex nature of fatherhood. Each section presents a different stage in Hudson’s life, portraying his interactions with his sons, his fight against German submarines, and his ultimate confrontation with his own future and internal struggles.
Who should read this book: Readers who enjoy series-like novels and the buildup of characters will like this book. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
7. To Have and Have Not (1937)
In the 1937 novel To Have and Have Not, Hemingway uses the anguish and desperation that can emerge from economic disparity and human desperation to deep-dive into questions of human morality. The book is set during the Great Depression in Key West and follows Harry Morgan, a fishing boat captain who turns to smuggling to support his family after he himself is swindled and becomes an indigent. The novel portrays the harsh realities of survival and moral ambiguity as Harry becomes entangled with the wealthy and the destitute. The novel’s gritty realism, coupled with Hemingway’s depiction of class struggle and human resilience, makes it a thought-provoking story.
Who should read this book: Readers who enjoy books that point out the nuances in life will find this book compelling. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
6. Across the River and into the Trees (1950)
Hemingway’s Across the River and into the Trees was inspired by his visit to Venice in 1948. The novel follows the story of Colonel Richard Cantwell, a hero of war grappling with the end of his life and his controversial romance with the 18-year-old Venetian Renata, whom he calls “Daughter.” Their affair becomes the focal point of the entire storyline of the novel. Set in post-World War II Venice, this novel reflects on themes of mortality, love and the emotional aftermath of war. Through Cantwell’s interactions with the young Italian countess, Hemingway explores the fleeting nature of life and the impact of past traumas. Despite mixed reviews upon its release, the novel offers readers an introspective look into the psyche of a war-torn soldier.
Who should read: Readers who enjoy war-themed stories will like this book. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
5. The Garden of Eden (1986, posthumously)
The Garden of Eden was one of the novels published after Hemingway died, and it was based on a manuscript that he worked on from 1946 until his death in 1961. The 1920s served as the backdrop of the novel, and the plot of the story followed the lives of David Bourne, a young American writer, and his wife, Catherine, during their extended idyllic honeymoon on the French Riviera. This picturesque setting would be particularly central to the story because it ironically contrasts with the turbulent emotional confluence of the characters. At first, what seemed like an unassuming honeymoon soon turned out to be a full-blown literary exploration of the complex themes of love, creativity, jealousy and non-traditional gender roles and identities.
Who should read: Readers who enjoy complex characters and equally complex storylines will enjoy this book. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
4. The Sun Also Rises (1926)
Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises was inspired by his experiences as a journalist and his subsequent travels with expatriate friends. The novel follows a group of American and British expatriates traveling from Paris to Pamplona for the running of the bulls. The protagonist, Jake Barnes, is a war veteran who has a complex one-sided romantic dynamic with Lady Brett Ashley, which becomes more complex after Brett falls in love with someone else. Through the experiences of Jake and his friends, Hemingway writes about unrequited love, friendship, betrayal and interpersonal conflicts, with vivid descriptions drawn from Hemingway’s experiences.
Who should read: Readers who enjoy books that have an edge of scandal and drama will find this book interesting. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
3. For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940)
Because Hemingway himself served in World War I, several of his novels are war-themed, including For Whom the Bell Tolls, which is set during the Spanish Civil War. For Whom the Bell Tolls follows the story of Robert Jordan, an American soldier working for the Republic against fascist forces. Over several days, Jordan prepares to blow up a bridge that is critical to the enemy’s movements. In this novel, Hemingway focuses on the themes of honor, duty, love, and the lasting effects of war on the human mind.
Who should read: Readers who enjoy war thrillers will enjoy this book. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
2. A Farewell to Arms (1929)
One of Hemingway’s most famous books, A Farewell to Arms, is about a tragic love story that is set against the backdrop of World War I. The novel is divided into five sections and follows the first-person account of Italian-speaking American ambulance driver Frederic Henry and his romance with British nurse Catherine Barkley, which is portrayed with complexities influenced by the war. The novel was loosely based on Hemingway’s experiences serving during the war, and a nurse he met called Agnes von Kurowsky. Hemingway’s honest and resolute depiction of the war’s brutality and its impact on personal relationships is masterful and has made it a timeless classic that continues to appeal to readers.
Who should read: Readers who enjoy books about romance and war will find this book compelling. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
1. The Old Man and the Sea (1952)
This novella, which won Hemingway the Pulitzer Prize, follows the story of Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman, who endures an extended and arduous battle to catch a giant marlin. The Old Man and the Sea is a powerful story about grit and resilience in the face of adversity. As usual, Hemingway’s simple yet powerful use of words and prose structure captures the timeless struggle between man and nature. In the book, Hemingway hones in on relentlessness in the face of defeat, making it a literary masterpiece for readers of every age.
Who should read: Readers who enjoy timeless stories about resilience will like this book. It is available at Simon & Schuster.
Bottom Line
Ernest Hemingway is an undeniable literary icon whose written work has remained an unforgettable part of American literature. From the rugged individualism of The Old Man and the Sea to the reflective undertone of A Moveable Feast, his writings offer something new for every type of reader. Whether you’re new to Hemingway or revisiting his classics, Hemingway has proven that his mastery of prose is timeless.
