On the back of my copy of "Green Hills of Africa" is this quote from the Times Literary Supplement:

"This book is an expression of a deep enjoyment and appreciation of being alive - in Africa. There is more to it than [hunting]; it is the feeling of the dew on the grass in the morning, the shape and colour and smell of the country, the companionship of friends... and the feeling that time has ceased to matter."

I agree with the quote to some extent, but not completely.

Yes, there are beautiful passages and descriptions of Africa, and the individuals Hemingway meets, like the Masai tribesmen towards the end, are interesting. There are also musings on a variety of topics related and unrelated to Africa and hunting.

However, as I knew beforehand, most of this memoir is about hunting. And despite being aware of what I would encounter, I still didn't find it particularly engaging or relevant to me.

I have no interest in hunting, especially when it comes to big game. So, I had a hard time with some of the scenes that described the details of killing or attempting to kill various majestic animals.

I do understand that this was a different time when hunting big game wasn't as controversial as it is today, perhaps because there weren't as many rules in place to protect endangered animals. But I still had a hard time accepting that.

This book is well-written, I'll give you that. But it's not something I'm likely to read again. I do need to reread and read for the first time his other works so that this isn't the last Hemingway book I've read.

The scoring is solely due to the theme.

The personal moments of the author in Africa hunting wild animals.

The descriptions refer to the "magic of hunting" and the killing of the animals.

Some intermediate moments, discussions about literature, life, etc. were not enough for the final impression that this book gave me.

Overall, the book seems to focus too much on the act of hunting and the associated emotions and experiences, rather than delving deeper into other aspects such as the ecological impact of hunting or the ethical considerations involved.

While the descriptions of the African landscape and the animals themselves are vivid and engaging, the lack of a more comprehensive exploration of the subject matter leaves something to be desired.

Perhaps if the author had included more perspectives and viewpoints, the book would have been more thought-provoking and engaging.

As it stands, it is an interesting read, but not one that will leave a lasting impression.

Read en route to Liberia :)

I am currently reading during my journey to Liberia. It's an exciting adventure, and having a good book in hand makes the travel even more enjoyable.

As I flip through the pages, I am transported to different worlds and experiences. The words on the paper seem to come alive, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

Reading not only passes the time but also enriches my knowledge and broadens my perspective. It allows me to explore new ideas and cultures, even before I arrive at my destination.

I can't wait to continue this reading journey and see what else awaits me on this trip to Liberia.

Hemingway's work set in (colonial) East Africa in the 1930s, which details a big game hunt, is essentially an autobiographical account of his 1933 trip originally serialized in Scribner's Magazine.

From the narrative, it's clear that Hemingway was deeply in love with Africa's natural beauty and enchanting wildness. However, this book is very much a product of its time and, in my personal opinion, has aged rather poorly, just like all his works.

"Green Hills of Africa" is divided into four parts: Pursuit and Conversation, Pursuit Remembered, Pursuit and Failure, and Pursuit as Happiness. Each part plays a distinct role in the story.

All in all, the best rating I can give this book is a Two Star, which is 4 out of 12.

This was my read in 2011.

The accompanying images add a visual element to the review, although their specific significance isn't entirely clear without further context.

Perhaps they are meant to illustrate the landscapes or the hunting scenes described in the book.

Nonetheless, the overall impression is that while Hemingway's writing may have been lauded in its day, it doesn't quite hold up to modern standards.

I would have gone back to Africa, not to earn a living. For that, a couple of pencils and a few hundred sheets of the cheapest paper would have been enough for me. But I would have gone back there, to the place where I liked to live, to truly live, not just pass the days.

At the time when "Green Hills of Africa" was published, Hemingway was accused of not being able to talk about Africa, but only about dead animals and bullets. Well, this is clearly false. "Green Hills of Africa" makes us relive the most poignant Africa, the innocent and dangerous one, intense like the joy of hunting and the true beauty of a landscape still - at least in part - uncontaminated.

The novel doesn't really talk about literary criticism - as I thought. Yes, a couple of barbs emerge, some brilliant judgments and some cowardice; but don't take me as an example, don't read this "realistic" story to find other literature and other judgments and other writers. You won't find them. Read it because it's Hemingway, because he writes like no other author has ever written, because then you will want to set off on your own Safari, because you will dream of the Masai, lions and kudus.

It wasn't my favorite Hemingway, okay, but I'm still really happy to have read it. The only sad note: in the I Meridiani Mondadori edition (that I read) there were at least a couple of really bad misprints. Damn them.

It's all about the nonsense that Hemingway had committed in Africa. Right from the very start of the book, I had this overwhelming feeling of "What on earth is he writing about?" However, due to my ingrained habit of seeing through everything I begin, I somehow managed to plow through this trash. It was nothing but a litany of killing, with Hemingway gallivanting around, seemingly hell-bent on being the agent of death for numerous wild animals. For die-hard Hemingway fans, by all means, go ahead and read it. But for me and those with a modicum of sense, this book is an utter failure. It fails to offer any real substance or meaningful message, instead just presenting a rather disturbing and senseless account of wanton destruction.

The pursuit of the elusive kudu in Hemingway's "Green Hills of Africa" is not just a hunting adventure but a profound exploration of the writer's creative process. Just as a writer must write alone, so too must one hunt the kudu alone. Hemingway's experimental work reveals how the search for good land parallels a writer's search for good material.

In this work, Hemingway uses Africa in multiple ways. It serves as a hunting resource, an extended metaphor, and material for his next book. Despite his goal of presenting an "absolutely true book," his rearrangement of events and use of metaphor give a fictional resonance to his non-fiction. The landscape operates on several levels, with the kudu embodying the writer's aim.

Hemingway's self-image as an insider may be at odds with reality. His view of Africa is distorted by his privilege and cultural baggage. The allegorized landscape of good land and bad land deteriorates under scrutiny, just as a writer's ability to represent reality faces constant erosion.

In conclusion, "Green Hills of Africa" is a complex and thought-provoking work that blurs the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction. Hemingway's use of Africa as a metaphor for writing and his exploration of the writer's creative process make this book a significant contribution to literature. However, the truth of the book on any level remains questionable, and Hemingway's position as an outsider in Africa is inescapable.

This is truly a fascinating read.

As I delved into the pages, I was immediately captivated by the engaging narrative and unique perspectives presented.

The author has a remarkable ability to draw the reader in and keep them hooked from start to finish.

The content is not only interesting but also thought-provoking, leaving me with much to ponder.

A review will follow shortly, where I will explore the various aspects of this captivating piece in more detail.

Stay tuned for my in-depth analysis of this truly remarkable read.

I deliberately read the book among the green hills of Kenya. However, I must say that the hunting stories didn't really appeal to me in any way.

Perhaps it's because I have a different perspective on such matters. I find the idea of hunting for sport a bit disturbing.

The book described various hunting expeditions and the excitement that the hunters felt. But for me, it was hard to understand that kind of excitement.

I would have preferred if the book had focused more on the beauty of nature and the wildlife in Kenya, rather than on the act of hunting.

Nevertheless, I still appreciate the opportunity to have read this book and to have gained some insights into a different culture and way of life.

Maybe in the future, I'll come across a book that will better capture my interest and imagination.

This is not a novel.

Instead, it is a travel book that vividly captures Hemingway's intense interest in Africa and big game hunting.

The allure of the African continent and the excitement of the hunt are brought to life within the pages of this remarkable book.

Interestingly, a quote from this very book was cleverly employed by Woody Allen.

He used it to introduce the paradox of unsourced information in his highly acclaimed film "Midnight in Paris".

This connection between the book and the film adds an extra layer of intrigue and shows how Hemingway's words continue to have a profound impact and find new interpretations in different artistic mediums.

The travel book not only offers a glimpse into Hemingway's adventures but also serves as a source of inspiration for other creative minds like Woody Allen.

It is a testament to the enduring power of great literature and its ability to transcend time and boundaries.

I can do nearly everything later.

They are afraid to be alone in their beliefs. No woman would love any of them deeply enough so that they could kill their lonesomeness in that woman, or combine it with hers, or create something with her that makes the rest unimportant.

All I wanted to do now was get back to Africa. We had not left it yet, but when I would wake in the night, I would lie there, listening, already homesick for it.

Now, looking out the tunnel of trees over the ravine at the sky with white clouds moving across in the wind, I loved the country so much that I was happy as you are after being with a woman you truly love. When empty, you feel it welling up again and there it is. You can never have it all, yet what there is now, you can have. And you want more and more, to have, to be, and to live in it, to possess it now again for always, for that long, sudden-ended always, making time stand still. Sometime it is so very still that afterwards you wait to hear it move, and it is slow in starting. But you are not alone, because if you have ever really loved her happily and untragically, she loves you always. No matter whom she loves nor where she goes, she loves you more. So if you have loved some woman and some country, you are very fortunate. And if you die afterwards, it makes no difference. Now, being in Africa, I was hungry for more of it. The changes of the seasons, the rains with no need to travel, the discomforts that you endure to make it real, the names of the trees, of the small animals, and all the birds, to know the language and have time to be in it and to move slowly. I have loved country all my life. The country was always better than the people. I could only care about people a very few at a time.

[...] I’d lie behind a rock and watch them on the hillside and see them long enough so they belonged to me forever.

Most readers, even those who are avid Hemingway admirers, would likely find this book base, boring, dull, uninspiring, and pointless.

However, for anyone who is an avid outdoorsman or woman, the perception of this book can be just the opposite. It can be thrilling, exciting, intriguing, and inspiring. If you have ever spent time patiently waiting for or stalking a prey, you can understand what Hemingway is attempting to convey to the reader as he recalls his experience hunting for the elusive greater kudu. Hemingway's personal love for the outdoors, the country of Africa with its magnificent landscape, diverse wildlife, and unique people, is prevalent throughout the book.

Hemingway was indeed an interesting man, and his egotism, competitiveness, and drive are also evident in this work. His writing style and the vivid descriptions he provides offer a fascinating glimpse into his world and his adventures.

Whether you are a fan of Hemingway or simply interested in outdoor experiences and hunting, this book has the potential to offer something unique and engaging. It may not be for everyone, but for those who can appreciate its qualities, it can be a captivating read.