Hands down, A.E. Hotchner's "Papa Hemingway" is the best book I have read so far this year.

In the interest of full disclosure, Ernest Hemingway - the book's subject - is something of a literary hero to me. I acknowledge the previous sentence is something of a cliche. For nearly one hundred years, a certain type of fanboy has looked up to the author and adventurer. I accept that my love of Hemingway's work and interest in his life is nothing if not common.

Taking the above into consideration, and if you share my love for Papa, read this book. A.E. Hotchner, who as of this writing is still living in Connecticut, was a friend and collaborator of Hemingway's. Mr. Hotchner wrote this memoir in 1966, six years after his subject died by suicide. Inside the book's pages is a biased, but very often honest, portrayal of Mr. Hotchner's adventures and struggles with his friend. For a book written over fifty years ago, it has aged well.

I finished the last pages of "Papa Hemingway" while seated on the veranda of Papa's house in Key West. I hope you do too. This book offers a unique perspective into the life and personality of Hemingway. It shows not only his literary genius but also his flaws and the challenges he faced. Hotchner's personal anecdotes bring the great writer to life in a way that no other biography can. Whether you are a die-hard Hemingway fan or just someone interested in learning more about this iconic figure, "Papa Hemingway" is a must-read. It will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hemingway and his work.

Sometimes you deserve to have your biography written by your best friend. This was one of those times.

Your life is a story that only your best friend truly knows. They have witnessed your joys and sorrows, your triumphs and failures. They have been by your side through thick and thin.

When your best friend writes your biography, they can capture the essence of who you are. They can tell the stories that only you and they know, the ones that have shaped you into the person you are today.

Your best friend will write with love and understanding, painting a vivid picture of your life. Their words will bring your story to life, making it a beautiful and unforgettable read.

So, when the time comes, let your best friend write your biography. It will be a gift that you will cherish forever.

Hotch is truly a remarkable writer. Hemingway, on the other hand, is not only a great writer but also an interesting and captivating character, just like the fictional worlds he creates in his works.

It's astonishing to observe how communication, travel, and the field of medicine have evolved over the past 60 years. This is especially true when it comes to the treatment and understanding of mental illness.

However, one thing that has remained constant is our unwavering fascination with artists who are often commercialized and turned into celebrities.

As for what I've learned about writing, it's clear that to be a successful writer, one must be an avid reader. This helps in developing different learning styles, learning new words, and expanding one's vocabulary.

Moreover, a writer should have a keen memory for dialogue, feelings, and scene descriptions. The ability to retain the moods, attitudes, and atmospheres of the situations one experiences and then translate them onto the page is crucial.

These are the essential elements that contribute to the art of writing and make a writer stand out.

Here is an interesting memoir about one of the most fascinating (and one of my personal favorites!) writers in history. It was penned by a member of Hemingway's inner circle. Reading about the great man's downward spiral was truly sad and at times rather uncomfortable. The way the Mayo Clinic treated him in the final weeks of his life was simply horrific. They sent him home even though his own wife knew it would spell the end for him. Granted, this was almost 50 years ago, but it's still stunning. I had always thought of Hemingway as a depressed alcoholic, but I never realized just how deep his mental illness and delusions ran. I learned a great deal from this memoir. However, the middle part dragged on for me quite a bit as I grew tired of reading about bullfighting and the seemingly endless parties. But overall, it was a good read.

A.E. Hotchner, a young journalist, was initially reluctant to interview Ernest Hemingway. He felt insignificant and unworthy of bothering the great writer. Flying to Cuba where Hemingway lived, he sent a note explaining his situation and expecting no response. However, to his surprise, he received a phone call from "Papa" Hemingway himself, inviting him to a restaurant for dinner and drinks. This marked the beginning of a fourteen-year friendship that lasted until Hemingway's death.

Hotchner's biography focuses solely on their personal interactions and quotes many of their conversations verbatim. While this may add authenticity, it can make for stilted reading. After reading Carlos Baker's unflattering biography, which criticized Hotchner's work as unrealistic and fawning, the reader may approach Hotchner's account with some skepticism.

Despite this, Hotchner seems fairly honest about Hemingway's flaws, although he may have left out or softened some facts. The story follows Hemingway's travels from Cuba to Spain to Africa and back, with each place defined by his obsession with conquering powerful animals. Hotchner does not fully explain Hemingway's psyche as a big game hunter or his penchant for destroying people.

Throughout the book, Hotchner refers to Hemingway as "Papa," a moniker that may seem a bit contrived. The last part of the biography details Hemingway's mental deterioration, with Hotchner providing a first-hand account of his paranoid schizophrenia. Hemingway was repeatedly admitted to a mental hospital and was eventually able to take his own life.

In conclusion, for Hemingway fans, Hotchner's biography is a valuable addition to any library. It offers a personal perspective on the writer and his later years, written with warmth and affection by someone who knew him well.

This book offers a wonderfully personal view into the second half of Hemingway's life.

It takes the reader on a journey through the later years of this literary giant.

The last third of the book is particularly tough to read as it vividly details the final few years of my literary hero's descent.

What sets this biography apart is its wonderful writing style. It presents the facts without the hyperbole that is often found in most Hemingway biographies.

The author has managed to capture the essence of Hemingway's life and personality in a way that is both engaging and authentic.

It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in Hemingway's life and works.

Overall, this book provides a unique and valuable perspective on one of the most important figures in American literature.

A wonderful read can truly transport you to another world. It has the power to engage your mind, stir your emotions, and expand your horizons.

When you pick up a great book, you enter a realm of imagination and possibility. The words on the page come alive, painting vivid pictures in your mind and creating characters that feel like real people.

You can lose yourself in a thrilling adventure, explore different cultures and time periods, or gain valuable insights into the human condition.

A wonderful read is not just entertainment; it is a source of knowledge, inspiration, and relaxation. It can be a companion on a rainy day, a distraction from the stresses of life, or a catalyst for personal growth.

So, take the time to find that special book that speaks to you and let it take you on a journey you'll never forget.

The last line of the book, "Man can be destroyed but not defeated"

truly strikes a chord within me. It not only makes me think about the fictional life of Santiago in "The Old Man and the Sea" but also reminds me of Willie Lohman in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".

Willie Lohman, like Santiago, is a character who faces great challenges and hardships. One is engaged in the business of selling, constantly striving to meet the demands and expectations of the corporate world. The other is involved in the art of living and writing, grappling with the inner turmoil and struggles of existence.

Both men ultimately reach a point where they can no longer bear the burden of their "destruction". The weight of their failures, disappointments, and unfulfilled dreams becomes too much to handle.

Yet, in their final moments, there is a glimmer of something more. Despite being destroyed in a sense, they refuse to be defeated. Their spirits remain unbroken, and they continue to fight until the very end.

This shows that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, there is a part of us that can never be truly conquered.

I don't know if it's possible to be interested in an author's work just because you read his biography. Maybe it is. But that's not my case - Ernest Hemingway's books have accompanied me since my youth, and since all of them have been read a long time ago (I have also written several reviews on this portal), I happily read everything that is written about this Nobel Prize laureate.

It's quite understandable that prominent people gain many friends during their lifetime, but also不少 after their death, when these people can express their opinions without fear of self-promotion. A. E. Hotchner is not like that - he was truly and for a long time, until his death, Hemingway's friend, and he mentions Hemingway in many of his memoirs. And finally, his own (quite extensive) memoir book "Papa Hemingway" was published in Lithuanian. I happily read it and am very satisfied that such a book was published. Hotchner's memoirs cover a rather long period - from 1948 to 1961, a complex but very interesting period of the author's life. The book is easy to read, there are many interesting facts in it, and the reader has no doubts, because the author writes very sincerely about the person he truly loved (with all his bad and good qualities). For me, a Hemingway fan, this book is just a treat. I found unexpected photos in it, not to mention the facts of his life. In the Lithuanian series "Siluetai", a rather good biographical book "Hemingway" (B. Gribanovas, 1986) was published, but in 1970, when it was written, certain ideological requirements were in force... Among other things, Hotchner is also quoted in it. So Hotchner's own book is truly a delight for Hemingway's admirers.

I've loved Ernest Hemingway's writing since I first came across A Moveable Feast in high school (I graduated in 1978). I know not all his works are equally great; he could write sublimely or horribly, with little in between. Loving his good writing (which I consider the best in English literature history) led me to be interested in the man behind the words.

I'm not a Hemingway scholar. I lack patience and maybe the intellectual tools for it. But I've read about him here and there. I read Carlos Baker's thick biography twice, finding it very interesting. But the first book I read about Hemingway was this one. I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked it up years ago, but I'm glad it was the first.

A.E. Hotchner clearly loved Hemingway as a friend (not in a sexual way). When he writes, he often assumes the meaning most favorable to his friend. This is understandable and maybe even admirable. But he's not a blind follower. He knows others may not share his views and could form negative opinions from his book, which is where I got most of my negative views of Hemingway.

This book also made me call Hemingway "Hem" or "Papa" and Hotchner "Hotch" in my mind. It made me realize that if I'd met Papa, I might like him a lot or hate him. Hemingway could be kind or vicious, loving or hateful. Hotchner, while presenting his view, also recounts things that show a mixed portrait of his friend.

But part of the appeal of this book is not just Papa, but Hotch's love for him, their relationship, and how Hotch's life changed because of Hemingway. It's not a biography but a memoir, and Hotch's love and defense of his friend are an integral part.

Of course, Hemingway's writing stands on its own. Where he did well, he did superbly. I can't think of any English literature that matches the descriptions in his works. I could name many things that have moved me, but this review is already long. So I'll conclude with this: You should read Papa Hemingway if you care about Hemingway or his writing. It's just that good.

The author, who had the privilege of being a close friend of Hemingway during the final 14 years of his life, offers us a truly unique and special inside perspective.

Through this personal connection, we are able to catch a glimpse into the robust and vibrant life of an American icon. Hemingway's larger-than-life personality and his adventuresome spirit come alive in the author's account.

However, the story also takes a tragic turn as we learn about Hemingway's sad death. This aspect adds a layer of poignancy and depth to the narrative.

Overall, this book provides a very interesting and engaging read. It allows us to get to know Hemingway on a more intimate level and understand the man behind the legend. Whether you are a die-hard Hemingway fan or simply interested in American literature and history, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Not your typical biography,

this bio takes a different approach. It doesn't simply narrate the story of Hemingway from his birth to his death in a traditional chronological order. Instead, it is penned by A.E. Hotchner, one of Ernest's closest confidants.

It vividly recounts the events that Hotchner and Hemingway shared together. There are many grandiose tales that offer a unique perspective on who Hemingway was and how he crafted his larger-than-life persona. These are epic stories that seem almost too extraordinary to be true, yet they certify Hemingway as the ultimate "man's man".

However, it's not all positive. A significant quarter of the book is dedicated to chronicling the tragic demise of the famous author. It details his mental deterioration and his numerous attempts at suicide before he finally succeeded, bringing an end to a life that was filled with both the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. This biography provides a more complex and nuanced view of Hemingway, revealing the man behind the myth.