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kalbone's review against another edition
5.0
I can't recall the last time I read a biographical book so eloquently written. I've always found the writers of the Parisian 20s and 30s an interesting bunch. Hemingway and Fitzgerald more so than anyone else. A.E. Hotchner coveys his relationship with Ernest Hemingway beautifully and does an incredible job of conveying how heartbroken Hemingway was over loving with Hadley and and Pauline at the same time. It ties in his time in Paris and in Key West as well as some of his relationship with Fitzgerald. It's the book Hemingway fans want to read. If you want to get to know the man behind A Farewell to Arms, Hotchner is a wonderful author to explore. He knew Hemingway as a person and not just as a writer. It's beneficial to know what's happening in a writer's life as they are writing the stories that make them legends. This book does just that. It explores the relationship between Hemingway and Hadley, the woman who loved him before he was famous and then moves on to his relationship with Pauline, the woman who was drowning in money and saw an exciting identity for herself with Hemingway and would do anything in her power to find that identity. It's a heartbreaking tale that explains a lot about who Hemingway was and how the stories came about. I highly suggest Hemingway In Love: His Own Story. I will also certainly be reading the rest of Hochner's works.
bibliorey's review against another edition
4.0
i think we all collectively agree that hemingway was shit and there was no way he could justify his actions towards what he did to hadley.
nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read for me. hotchner’s writing was truly enticing to me. i wanted to devour this whole book in one night. alas, i had to prioritise what matters first.
it was so interesting getting to peek inside hemingway and hotchner’s friendship along with hemingway’s constant turbulence in his love life. hadley truly did deserved better and i could never understand hemingway’s desire of wanting and loving two women at the same time (which i 100% think pauline is a major homewrecker having read this account). was hadley not enough? was the life he had with hadley, the family that they built, was that not satisfaction enough that he needed someone new?
these are the questions that i repeatedly ask as i progressed through the book. but reading of hemingway’s deteriorating mental health truly hit the sympathetic nerve in me. sure his love life is messed up and that may have contributed to the decaying of his mental health but reading hemingway talk of suicidal intentions and his depression sends me a melancholic wave that i never thought it would. so if you are interested in giving this memoir a go, please bear in mind such trigger warnings (talks of mental health, suicidal ideations, cheating etc.).
nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read for me. hotchner’s writing was truly enticing to me. i wanted to devour this whole book in one night. alas, i had to prioritise what matters first.
it was so interesting getting to peek inside hemingway and hotchner’s friendship along with hemingway’s constant turbulence in his love life. hadley truly did deserved better and i could never understand hemingway’s desire of wanting and loving two women at the same time (which i 100% think pauline is a major homewrecker having read this account). was hadley not enough? was the life he had with hadley, the family that they built, was that not satisfaction enough that he needed someone new?
these are the questions that i repeatedly ask as i progressed through the book. but reading of hemingway’s deteriorating mental health truly hit the sympathetic nerve in me. sure his love life is messed up and that may have contributed to the decaying of his mental health but reading hemingway talk of suicidal intentions and his depression sends me a melancholic wave that i never thought it would. so if you are interested in giving this memoir a go, please bear in mind such trigger warnings (talks of mental health, suicidal ideations, cheating etc.).
smderitis's review against another edition
4.0
Loved reading a more condensed, focused depiction of Hemingway’s life. Through his own words and the eyes of a friend, this feels so personal and true, and doesn’t get bogged down with too many facts like a biography would.
bookishadvocate's review against another edition
5.0
What a heartbreaking story. I've never read anything by Hemingway, nor do I know much about him, but for some reason this book jumped out at me when I stopped at the library. I had no idea what a troubled man he was. This is a quick read through his tragic love story of being in love with two women and not knowing which way to go. The author was a good friend of his and held onto this story until Hemingway's latest wife passed so as not to hurt her. Even if you have no idea who he is, it's a good read. I'll be reading every one of his books now.
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