The Dangerous Summer by Ernest Hemingway (August 11-September 3, 2005)
Written in 1960 for LIFE magazine, Hemingway recounted the summer he spent in Spain in 1959 watching a series of bullfights between two great matadors. Luis Miguel Dominguin and his brother in law Antonio Ordonez became rivals in a mano a mano (hand-to-hand, duel), trying to show one another up as performers in the ring while traveling from city to city, and match to match.
I read an edited version of Hemingway’s LIFE magazine piece with an introduction by James Mitchener. The book serves as an introduction to the sport, gives insight into Hemingway’s personal life, and gives the reader beautiful glimpses of Spain as they travel the country. One of his last stories, this novel let me gather tidbits on Hemingway as he looked back upon his life, and taught me a lot about bullfighting, a sport I knew nearly nothing about. Hemingway had a personal friendship with both Dominguin and Ordonez, breaking his personal rule to stop being personally involved with bullfighters. Ordonez was the son of Cayetano Ordonez, a friend of Hemingway's in the 1920's, and the model for Pedro Romero in ''The Sun Also Rises.'' Though friends with both Dominguin and Ordonez, Hemingway favors Ordonez throughout, believing him to be an exceptional bullfighter. As a friend to these young, vibrant matadors, Hemingway draws a contrast, giving a comment on bravery and immortality.
Great External Link on the novel:
" The Last Ole,” a New York Times Book Review
