I guess I’m not the only one reimagining Hemingway history. As those of you who follow my blog know, I’ve written my third novel called Hemingway’s Daughter. As those of you who are Hemingway fans also know, Hemingway did not have a daughter. My second novel, a mystery called The Rage of Plum Blossoms, was just published by Kindle Press in ebook form and the paperback comes out in a few weeks. After publicizing it for a few months, I will re-dedicate to editing Hemingway’s Daughter and get that out.
Anyway, the above mentioned new book looks really interesting. Hemingway (well, really Hadley) famously lost a suitcase of almost all of his manuscripts in early 1922. Hadley, his first wife, was to meet him in Switzerland, where he was working to get a story for The Toronto Star on the Lousanne Peace Conference. Thinking he might want to work on his own writing (and Lincoln Steffens had asked to see some of his work), Hadley put virtually 100% of his sketches and written stories of the moment into one valise. Hemingway was as yet unpublished and Hadley packed all she could find including carbon copies. While the train was still standing in the Gare de Lyon, Hadley went to buy a bottle of Evian water leaving the suitcase unattended. When she returned, it was gone. Only two stories remained: Up in Michigan, which was buried in the back of a drawer as Gertrude Stein said it was unpublishable (Ha! Shows what she knew!) and My Old Man as it was out with an editor.
While some Hemingway scholars have suggested that maybe this was a good thing as he had to start over with his improved leaner style and a bit more experience, obviously it was an incredible loss to scholars as well as to Hemingway. He was fairly devastated by it and tried not to blame Hadley. However, a bit of bitterness remained as to that topic despite Hemingway’s forever love for Hadley.
In any event, a new novel by Shaun Harris called The Hemingway Thief tries to find out what happened to those unpublished sketches. It is Mr. Harris’ first novel and features Henry “Coop” Cooper, a struggling novelist kicking back in Mexico. He becomes embroiled in a deadly race for Hemingway’s stolen works.”
The works have never been found. If they turn up in an attic…well, very valuable indeed.
The book could be a lot of fun. Check it out! I know I will when I get a chance.
Another review and description. Sounds like a rollicking mystery and real fun.
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/08/the-hemingway-thief-shaun-harris.html
Christine
