Hemingway's Cats: An Illustrated Biography by carlene fredericka brennen

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

I bought this book because two of my favorite things in life are felines and classic literature (Hemingway's cats, how appropriate!). I was surprised to see that the author called this a novel, when it was more like a picture book. The pictures are cool but this is a way shorter read than a novel.

The book was pretty dull at moments, and it quickly switched back and forth from a biography of Hemingway's life to seemingly relevant correlations regarding his love of cats. A lot of the information about Hemingway's life was interesting, but I could have found these facts in a normal Hemingway biography. Perhaps the author was struggling to compose an entire novel about just Hemingway and his cats. As a cat lover, I was deeply touched by moments where Hemingway had to deal with the death of his pets and to me those were the strong points of the book. I'm glad I read this, but I was still a little disappointed.

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SnippetTee

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Not particularly well edited, but, if you are a Hemingway fan, wondering about the cats and/or are visiting or going to visit Key West - get a used copy and indulge yourself.

I am a fan of E.H. and a lover of cats so the cover was irresistible. I enjoyed the book overall, and the biography of the individual felines and other animal buddies was particularly fun as I could relate to my own experience with cats. However, I found parts of the book to be somewhat melancholy if not outright depressing.

Nevertheless, glad I found it in the bargain bin!

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TheDevilEye

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

A perfect example of the author never becoming the "Hemingway hero" he so desperately craved. He was troubled, depressed for most of his life and his love for cats allowed him to treat his depression in a kinder, more loving way than the self-medicating alcoholism which ultimately took his life. His love of cats was beautiful, an almost acceptable way of getting the love he needed. Possibly weak for the "hero" he sought, yet so Hemingway.
I've always loved Hemingway for his self-despised vulnerability. I love all cats for their embodiment of the "hero" and their endless supply of love. Key West is the closest I've ever been to heaven.
This book is a heart-wrenching look at the artist. Couldn't take all of the emotion it provoked in one sitting.

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Malcadicta

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

Photos were excellent, stories were well researched and extremely insightful, but ultimately I wasn’t crazy about her writing. Nevertheless, this will be enjoyed by any cat fan.

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Weertangel

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

6/10

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takenusername

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

April 17,2025

I can’t believe im actually saying this, but I loved this book (perhaps because it wasn’t written by Hemingway himself). I would literally rather be water-boarded than read another one of Hemingway’s works, but I can’t help but feel we would have been friends. As the title suggests, this book cataloged the many animal companions, especially feline, Hemingway had throughout his life. His constant, unwavering selflessness he showed to all wildlife he encountered, especially stray animals he would find on the streets and promptly adopt, is nothing short of admirable.

Unfortunately, I can’t give this book 5 stars simply due to some of the editing errors and whatnot, but overall this was a charming and humanizing account of Hemingway and his cats.

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