The American young man Barnes suffered a spinal injury in World War I and lost his sexual ability. After the war, while working as a reporter in Paris, he fell in love with the British Mrs. Ashley. She pursued pleasure blindly, while he could only drink to drown his sorrows. The two went to Pamplona, Spain, with a group of male and female friends to participate in the bullfighting festival in pursuit of spiritual stimulation. The lady rejected the pursuit of the Jewish young man Cohen, but fell in love with the 19-year-old bullfighter Romero. However, after getting along for a period of time, due to the huge age gap between the two parties, and Mrs. Ashley could not bear to ruin the future of the innocent young man, the relationship ended sadly. Madame eventually returned to Barnes, although both parties knew that they could never truly be together.
Reader comments
This book truly shows people's living conditions and psychological changes after World War I. I really like the protagonist, Barnes, who despite being injured and losing his sexual ability, still faces life with strength. The image of Mrs. Ashley is also very vivid. She pursues pleasure but also has her own bottom line and kindness. The experiences of the characters in the book make people feel helpless, but they are all trying to find their own sun.
This book truly shows people's living conditions and psychological changes after World War I. I really like the protagonist, Barnes, who despite being injured and losing his sexual ability, still faces life with strength. The image of Mrs. Ashley is also very vivid. She pursues pleasure but also has her own bottom line and kindness. The experiences of the characters in the book make people feel helpless, but they are all trying to find their own sun.