Hemingway's 'The Sun Also Rises' Celebrates 100 Years

The iconic novel's enduring legacy and impact on generations of readers is explored.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:22am

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An extreme close-up of shattered glass and cracked leather textures in high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the fractured, disillusioned spirit of the 'lost generation' in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.The shattered remnants of a bygone era of glamour and excess reflect the profound sense of loss and displacement felt by the characters in Hemingway's iconic novel.New Orleans Today

On the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ernest Hemingway's debut novel 'The Sun Also Rises' in 1926, the author reflects on the book's lasting influence and cultural significance. The story of the 'lost generation' of American expatriates in 1920s Paris has captivated readers for a century, with its vivid depictions of the post-World War I era and Hemingway's pioneering minimalist prose style.

Why it matters

Hemingway's groundbreaking novel helped define the 'lost generation' of the 1920s and introduced a new, spare literary style that would influence generations of writers. As the book marks its centennial, it remains a touchstone for understanding the cultural shifts and disillusionment of the post-war period, as well as Hemingway's lasting impact on American literature.

The details

The author recounts first reading 'The Sun Also Rises' as a sophomore at Columbia University, alongside other modernist classics like 'The Waste Land' and 'Ulysses.' He reflects on the novel's themes of alienation, masculinity, and the pursuit of meaning in the aftermath of World War I. The author also explores Hemingway's complex personal life and relationships, as well as the ongoing critical debates around the book's portrayal of gender, race, and sexuality.

  • The Sun Also Rises was first published in 1926.
  • Hemingway died by suicide in 1961 at the age of 61.
  • The 100th anniversary of the novel's publication will be celebrated in 2026.

The players

Ernest Hemingway

The renowned American novelist and short story writer, known for his pioneering minimalist style and exploration of the 'lost generation' of the 1920s.

Gertrude Stein

The influential American writer and art collector who famously described Hemingway's generation as the 'lost generation' in a preface to The Sun Also Rises.

Clancy Sigal

The American novelist and screenwriter who wrote a spirited defense of Hemingway titled 'Hemingway Lives' in 2013.

Doris Lessing

The Nobel Prize-winning British novelist who connected the author to Clancy Sigal due to their shared political views and commitment to radical politics.

Martha Gellhorn

The American novelist, short story writer, and journalist who was married to Hemingway and traveled with him to Spain during the civil war and to China.

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What they’re saying

“To be like Hemingway is to escape from a normal, dull life into one of adventure and risk, without complaining.”

— Clancy Sigal, Novelist and Screenwriter

“the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time.”

— Sal Paradise, Narrator of On The Road

What’s next

The 100th anniversary of the publication of The Sun Also Rises in 2026 will likely spur renewed academic and popular interest in Hemingway's seminal work, with new critical analyses, adaptations, and celebrations of the novel's enduring legacy.

The takeaway

Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises remains a touchstone of 20th century American literature, capturing the disillusionment and alienation of the 'lost generation' in the aftermath of World War I. As the novel marks its centennial, it continues to resonate with readers and writers, offering insights into the cultural shifts of the 1920s and Hemingway's pioneering literary style.