Customer Reviews

My Brother, Ernest Hemingway

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is probably only for the die-hard Hemingway completest, although I believe it was a
best seller when it was first published in 1962. While it does have some information on Ernest
Hemingway that I have not seen elsewhere, it also skims over a lot of important events of which
one would think Leicester would have intimate knowledge.

For example, each of Ernest's divorces are barely mentioned. There are hints of trouble in the
various marriages, although rarely do any details emerge. We are just told that a particular
marriage ended and that Ernest subsequently remarried. Also rather maddening is the fact that
while the events are laid in chronological order, there are rarely any dates tied to many of the
referenced events.

It is also rather obvious that Leicester is avoiding a number of issues similar to the events
surrounding the divorces. He seems to race through the details of Ernest's last months, although
to his credit he does discuss the shock treatments. But he gives us no real insight into what was
troubling Ernest. Is this because he has no intimate knowledge of that period or because he is
trying to protect his brother's legacy in some way? Or was it case of trying to avoid potential
lawsuits, since many of the people mentioned in the book were still alive when it was first
published?

Some of the passages in the book are very confusing, particularly a few where Leicester is
recounting conversations. Either they had some kind of code between themselves that we are left
to decipher or, for all his brilliance as a writer, Ernest was not much of a conversationalist (which
kind of flies in the face of all the entertaining and partying he did throughout his life).

It is also unclear, perhaps deliberately so since the book is about Ernest, as to what successes
Leicester had in trying to follow in his famous brother's footsteps. There are references to Ernest
reviewing Leicester's attempts at writing, but nothing to indicate if Leicester ever published
anything beyond this book. This may be because the book is focused on Ernest, rather than
Leicester, but it would be nice to know what successes Leicester may or may not have had.

None of the above should dissuade the Hemingway fan from reading the book. I did enjoy
reading the book, but it is almost maddening in the number of details that are left out. Leicester
just kind of leaves you asking for more.

This is an excellent book. It allows you to see a side of Hemingway that you never had just from reading his beautifully written books.

This was the first full length biography of Ernest Hemingway. His brother, Les, was aware of Ernest's mental and physical problems and that he didn't want any biographies written about him during his lifetime. When Ernest shot and killed himself in the summer of 1961, Les had this book ready to go to the publisher. Leicester was a fine writer and as a man was a life bringer who always raised the spirits of his companions. This quality can be felt in his book. It is quite well written and offers a glimpse into the life of an enormously complicated man who was also a dedicated artist. And Les's biography remains a very fine introduction to his brother's life, one of our greatest American writers.

Quite interesting book if you are a real fan of Hemingways and just have to read all biographies. If not: stay away and read for example books on Ernest Hemingways life by Michael Reynolds or good old Carlos Baker instead.

This book is probably only for the die-hard Hemingway completest, although I believe it was a
best seller when it was first published in 1961. While it does have some information on Ernest
Hemingway that I have not seen elsewhere, it also skims over a lot of important events of which
one would think Leicester would have intimate knowledge.

For example, each of Ernest's divorces are barely mentioned. There are hints of trouble in the
various marriages, although rarely do any details emerge. We are just told that a particular
marriage ended and that Ernest subsequently remarried. Also rather maddening is the fact that
while the events are laid in chronological order, there are rarely any dates tied to many of the
referenced events.

It is also rather obvious that Leicester is avoiding a number of issues similar to the events
surrounding the divorces. He seems to race through the details of Ernest's last months, although
to his credit he does discuss the shock treatments. But he gives us no real insight into what was
troubling Ernest. Is this because he has no intimate knowledge of that period or because he is
trying to protect his brother's legacy in some way? Or was it case of trying to avoid potential
lawsuits, since many of the people mentioned in the book were still alive when it was first
published?

Some of the passages in the book are very confusing, particularly a few where Leicester is
recounting conversations. Either they had some kind of code between themselves that we are left
to decipher or, for all his brilliance as a writer, Ernest was not much of a conversationalist (which
kind of flies in the face of all the entertaining and partying he did throughout his life).

It is also unclear, perhaps deliberately so since the book is about Ernest, as to what successes
Leicester had in trying to follow in his famous brother's footsteps. There are references to Ernest
reviewing Leicester's attempts at writing, but nothing to indicate if Leicester ever published
anything beyond this book. This may be because the book is focused on Ernest, rather than
Leicester, but it would be nice to know what successes Leicester may or may not have had.

None of the above should dissuade the Hemingway fan from reading the book. I did enjoy
reading the book, but it is almost maddening in the number of details that are left out. Leicester
just kind of leaves you asking for more.

sad to admit, hard to say--but not well written at all. truth is ernest was the only writer in the family. what can you do? it still may be worth reading to some in order to get his younger brother's perspective on things, etc.