jpbeardly's review against another edition
4.0
A look at Hemingway from a different point of view. The robust overly masculine exterior that Papa is known for is almost completely gone, instead we find him vulnerable and honest but still with the efficiency of words and the dry wit and humor expected of him. Seeing him a husk of his former self, broken and beaten by life and illness is heartbreaking, which for readers of Hemingway, isn't all that uncommon.
tomhill's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-- A must read for anyone interested in Hemingway's life, in particular his relationships with his first wife Hadley and his mistress turned second wife Pauline. Ernest and Hadley's relationship and their years in Paris have been the subject of numerous fictional and non-fictional accounts, including Hemingway's own memoir. Hotchner's book recounts his discussions with Hemingway, as well as relying on notes and recordings Hotchner made with Papa through the years, and very narrowly focuses on Hemingway's first two marriages and a bit on his relationships with his sons. What emerges is a complex portrait of Ernest, but one that most likely accentuates the positive. Hotchner insists that the difficult personality ascribed to Hemingway is not the personality he saw. Hem is not portrayed as a saint, but he does seem kinder and more sensitive here than he likely was in real life. Hotchner has a great advantage here in that he is telling an undeniably interesting story, but he is also a solid writer and his friendship with Hemingway lends the story a welcome familiarity. It is hard to say for certain whether Ernest truly loved Hadley above all his wives, as he claimed he did, but it makes for a nice story.
allanvdh's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing my Love/Hate relationship with Hemingway
I go through many moments in awe of Hemingway then I get angry at his writing.
His life was still something amazing even if he was the protagonist in most of his misery. I really enjoyed getting this perspective on his life. Life is more about who you know and this shows some of those relationships for him.
I go through many moments in awe of Hemingway then I get angry at his writing.
His life was still something amazing even if he was the protagonist in most of his misery. I really enjoyed getting this perspective on his life. Life is more about who you know and this shows some of those relationships for him.
madsmax13's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve never gotten around to actually reading anything by Hemingway but I enjoyed reading about him and his life. He seemed to have a very adventurous life. I loved this book and getting to know Hemingway.
amber_faith_27's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
1.0
cj24's review against another edition
5.0
This was a surprisingly great book. A wonderful look into Hemingway’s love life by one of his friends. I’m really glad that his home in Key West is mentioned extensively because it is such a perfect place complete with lots of cats
leeeighv's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing, amazing, amazing! I wasn't always the biggest Hemingway fan (or a fan at all). Though, I am still learning about him and forming my own opinions--this book helped to lean me in Hem's favor.
I loved hearing about all these historic events straight from Hem's mouth. He talks a lot about the time while editing The Sun Also Rises and the aftermath of publication and the affect it had on his friendships. I read this after I finished Sun Also... and so it was super fascinating to hear more about it from Hem's POV and about the people that the characters were based on.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get to know Hem outside of his stories/novels.
I loved hearing about all these historic events straight from Hem's mouth. He talks a lot about the time while editing The Sun Also Rises and the aftermath of publication and the affect it had on his friendships. I read this after I finished Sun Also... and so it was super fascinating to hear more about it from Hem's POV and about the people that the characters were based on.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get to know Hem outside of his stories/novels.
suzanne_perez's review
3.0
Wow. Hemingway truly was the biggest douchbag in the world. :-P I enjoyed reading about his escapades from the perspective of his friend, "Hotch," and particularly liked the insight into EH's final weeks and months. I couldn't help thinking, though, that society's romanticized image of Hemingway as a hard-drinking, high-adventure "man's man" doesn't translate well into the 21st century and the #MeToo movement. This memoir did make me want to read (or re-read) a few of the short stories mentioned in it.
jfl's review
2.0
A.E. Hotchner, befriended by Hemingway in his youth in 1953, wrote a sympathetic memoir about his time with the writer titled Papa Hemingway. Hemingway in Love is the most recent of Hotchner’s contribution to the Hemingway myth. This latter, short work emerged from a 1961 session with Hemingway during the final stage of his life.
Subtitled “The untold Story”, in focuses on Hemingway’s first and second wives, concluding that Hadley was Hemingway’s only soulmate and the woman who formed the core of his fictional, female protagonists.
Hotchner adds some pieces to that view, but Hadley’s place in Hemingway’s life was well established before Hotchner’s telling.
Subtitled “The untold Story”, in focuses on Hemingway’s first and second wives, concluding that Hadley was Hemingway’s only soulmate and the woman who formed the core of his fictional, female protagonists.
Hotchner adds some pieces to that view, but Hadley’s place in Hemingway’s life was well established before Hotchner’s telling.