Author: Naomi Wood
Tags: #Hemingway #poolside #summerreads
Discovered: Marylebone Train Station (after missing my train)
Where read: (in part) waiting for the next train
What's the story?:
This novel follows the literary career of one Earnest Hemingway through the lives of his four wives Hadley, Fife, Martha and Mary. The story moves from from the Cote D'Azur to Key West like flicking through the pages of Time Magazine or Vogue as Hemingway's career moves from war journalist to literary sensation changing his lovers as often as his flannel trousers.
The Word's Shortlist view:
This is a light and enjoyable read perfect for the pool or beach side. Strong female characters and glamorous locations will no doubt mean this book sells by the bucket load at airport bookstores. The star of the story is Mr Hemingway himself and the highlights are the chapters devoted to the Hemingway's summer vacations with F Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. An entire novel could have been devoted to their jazz, gin and bridge marathons.
Anyone, like me, interested in Hemingway as a writer will be mildly disappointed - the trouble with the first person narrative from each wife is that Earnest is kept at a distance. That said, as a man who existed in the relationship mire between ex-wife and future wife we actually see much more of the man through his lovers.
For an equally strong female lead, the word's shortlist recommends 'The Miniaturist' http://wordsshortlist.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/the-miniaturist-eerie-prophecy-of-dolls.html
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